Andorra has been leading the way in terms of the quality of medical care, the level and life expectancy of its citizens, which is 84 years, for many years. The country's healthcare system is among the top five in the world ranking. Insurance medicine is able to cover from 75 to 100% of all medical expenses of citizens. Andorra has a well-equipped hospital and a dozen medical centers located in each parish to provide primary health care. They employ highly qualified specialists who provide emergency medical care that does not require special equipment and medications. There are also many pharmacies, pharmaceutical organizations and other specialized institutions in the country.

However, like any healthcare model, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Read about the advantages and disadvantages of the Andorran medical system in this article.

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Andorran healthcare system

Healthcare and social security in the country are based on an effective simplified centralized system. This means that all social institutions and health insurance in Andorra are regulated by a single body - the Andorran Social Security Fund CASS. And the Andorran Health Service SAAS is directly responsible for medicine in the country.

Health care in Andorra has three main principles

1. The principle of free choice - patients choose their own doctor for treatment.

2. Shared responsibility - the state largely finances health care, but citizens pay for part of the treatment themselves.

3. Solidarity - people who cannot afford such expenses are not excluded from the system and still receive medical care.

Advantages of the Andorran health system

- Universal health insurance

Andorra provides universal health insurance through CASS (Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social). Citizens and residents contribute to the social insurance fund, which helps subsidize medical costs, ensuring wide access to necessary services.

- High reimbursement rates

Patients receive 75-90% reimbursement of general healthcare costs and up to 100% reimbursement for work-related injuries and maternity care. This system significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs and encourages regular medical check-ups.

- High standard of healthcare

Medical professionals in Andorra often receive training in Spain or France, ensuring high standards of European medical education. The country's only hospital, Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell, is well-equipped and offers a variety of specializations.

- Multilingual medical staff

Many medical professionals speak Catalan, French, Spanish and English, making it easy for both residents and tourists to communicate about their medical needs.

- Effective cross-border cooperation

When specialized treatment is not available in Andorra, agreements with French and Spanish hospitals allow patients to receive care abroad at virtually no additional cost.

Disadvantages of Andorra’s healthcare system

- Limited infrastructure

As a small country, Andorra has only one large hospital. While it covers most basic and some specialist services, patients requiring complex procedures often have to travel abroad, which can be inconvenient.

- Bureaucracy and paperwork

While reimbursement rates are high, the claims process can be complicated and require a lot of paperwork. Delays in receiving reimbursement are a common complaint among residents.

- Private insurance still needed

Although public coverage is extensive, many people choose to take out additional private insurance to cover the non-reimbursed portion or to access faster care at private clinics.

- Shortage of specialists

Due to the size of the country, the number of specialists locally is limited. This can lead to longer waiting times or the need to travel for certain consultations.

- Tourist pressure

As Andorra is a popular winter sports destination, hospitals and clinics can be overwhelmed during peak seasons, temporarily affecting the quality and availability of services.

Andorra's healthcare system offers a robust healthcare model that combines universal health insurance with high-quality services. However, limited local infrastructure and reliance on foreign specialized care systems highlight the challenges of maintaining a comprehensive healthcare network in a microstate. Overall, Andorra's healthcare system ranks highly among small European countries, offering reliable and affordable healthcare with room for administrative improvements.

How to get healthcare in Andorra?

Almost all residents of the country are included in the CASS system, and for employees, regardless of their form of employment, such subscription is mandatory. It is possible to be insured through the social security system, whether self-employed or as an employee in a local or foreign company.

Unemployed citizens can join CASS by paying a contribution of €200-€400 per month.

Tourists receive medical care on the basis of tourist insurance.

Andorra's medical system combines universal insurance with high-quality care, ensuring access to medicine for the majority of the population. Despite limited infrastructure and the need for additional insurance, the country maintains a high level of medical services thanks to qualified specialists and international cooperation. This approach makes Andorra an example of an effective healthcare model among European microstates.

When planning a trip abroad, be sure to take care of a travel insurance policy that will protect you from unforeseen situations during your trip and compensate for unplanned expenses - for medical treatment, in case of lost luggage, flight cancellation, etc.

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Let us recall! Andorra is a small but prosperous country that offers favorable tax conditions and a high standard of living, becoming an attractive destination for those looking for new opportunities for residence and investment in Europe. We have already told you how to get a residence permit, what package of documents and the advantages of moving to the country.