Andorra

People

Andorra has a very low incidence of human trafficking. Unlike neighbouring France and Spain, Andorra is not a significant hub for human trafficking. Investigations suggest that the rare cases of trafficking typically involve small criminal groups lacking the capacity for large operations, who rely on basic digital platforms such as WhatsApp to recruit victims.

Human smuggling is not a major criminal market in Andorra. While neighbouring France and Spain serve as major transit and destination points for migrants, Andorra plays a minor role in the broader smuggling landscape. Despite the absence of a well-organized market, isolated cases have been noted of foreign nationals, particularly from South America, using fraudulent documents such as falsified work certificates to obtain residence permits. Arrests have been made in connection with the production and distribution of fake documents in recent years, suggesting the possible involvement of small-scale criminal networks. However, Andorran law enforcement has been effective in identifying document forgery and preventing the expansion of this market.

There is no evidence of extortion or protection racketeering in Andorra, and authorities have not reported any cases of criminal groups engaging in these activities.

Trade

Arms trafficking in Andorra remains a minor criminal market, characterized by small-scale operations. While arms can be legally bought within the country by licensed individuals, media reports suggest that some weapons have been smuggled into France and Spain, where they have been linked to drug trafficking networks. The methods used for smuggling arms from Andorra remain unclear, and there is no recent evidence of large-scale arms trafficking. Andorra has introduced a stricter arms registry in recent years, improving the traceability and oversight of firearm sales.

There is no significant evidence of a counterfeit goods market in Andorra, and there have been no reported cases of counterfeit goods trafficking within Andorra in recent years. Authorities remain vigilant against illicit trade, and compared to France and Spain, Andorra’s role in counterfeit trafficking is negligible.

Tobacco smuggling remains a persistent issue in Andorra. In recent years, multiple smuggling operations were dismantled, with significant seizures reported. The primary motivation for smuggling tobacco from Andorra to France and Spain is tax evasion rather than domestic demand, as Andorra's low tax rates make tobacco products cheaper than in neighbouring countries. In the past, authorities have identified several tobacco smuggling syndicates operating in Andorra. These networks often consist of loosely connected individuals rather than hierarchical criminal organizations. Smugglers often use personal vehicles and remote mountain routes to evade detection. Despite ongoing enforcement efforts, tobacco smuggling remains one of the biggest criminal markets in Andorra.

Environment

There is no evidence of illegal trade in protected flora species in Andorra. The country has strict environmental regulations, aligned with Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) provisions, prohibiting such activities.

Andorra is not a major hub for wildlife trade, but occasional cases of animal trafficking have been reported. In recent years, authorities dismantled a pet trafficking network that involved the sale of hundreds of animals via a transnational supply chain extending from Eastern Europe to Andorra and Spain, with traffickers falsifying veterinary documents to deceive customers. The illicit trade in high-value pets appears to integrate with the legal pet market, allowing traffickers to launder profits through legitimate businesses. While Andorra is not a major hub for fauna trafficking, it can serve as a transit or destination point within broader operations.

There is no significant evidence of non-renewable resource crimes in Andorra. Illegal mining and resource smuggling have been reported in neighbouring countries, but these activities do not appear to be present in Andorra.

Drugs

Heroin trafficking in Andorra is minimal. There have been isolated incidents of heroin being smuggled from Spain, but there is no evidence of large-scale distribution or significant domestic consumption.

Cocaine trafficking remains stable, with minor seizures recorded in recent years. Law enforcement reports suggest that small-scale traffickers transport cocaine from Spain into Andorra, mainly for local consumption. While foreign networks may be involved, there is no evidence of large, organized groups controlling the market.

Cannabis remains the most commonly trafficked drug in Andorra. Seizures of marijuana and hashish have remained consistent, with around 5 kilograms of marijuana and 1 kilogram of hashish confiscated annually. These figures align closely with seizures from previous years, suggesting a ‘steady state’ of cannabis trafficking, which is conducted by individuals or small groups rather than large organizations. Law enforcement focuses on seizures and prosecution, but local demand for cannabis remains steady, fueling a continual flow of cannabis from neighbouring Spain and France.

The synthetic drug trade in Andorra remains minor. In previous years, police seized small quantities of MDMA, amphetamines and pink cocaine (‘tucibi’). Trafficking usually involves individuals smuggling drugs from Spain for personal use or resale. There is no evidence of synthetic drug production within Andorra.

Cyber-dependent crimes

Cybercrime is not a major concern in Andorra, although malware attacks have targeted businesses and individuals in recent years. Criminal groups, often operating from outside the country, exploit cybersecurity vulnerabilities to steal data and commit cyberattacks. Nevertheless, these crimes do not yet constitute a major threat relative to the scale of cybercrime observed in neighbouring Spain and France.

Financial Crimes

Andorra has historically been associated with financial crime due to its past status as a tax haven. However, recent regulatory reforms have significantly reduced illicit financial activities, although sporadic cases of tax evasion and fraud still occur.

Criminal Actors

Unlike in neighbouring countries, where mafia-style groups may exert influence over illicit markets, Andorra does not appear to host any such groups.

Past investigations have revealed the existence of diffuse criminal networks in Andorra, particularly involved in the smuggling of illicit commodities such as tobacco, drugs, arms and fauna. These networks consist of loosely affiliated individuals, including both national and foreign actors, who operate without clear territorial control or centralized leadership. This decentralized structure makes it difficult to identify prominent figures, as they function through opportunistic alliances rather than rigid hierarchies. Criminal activities tied to these networks are especially concentrated along the borders with Spain and France. Tobacco smuggling remains the most significant criminal enterprise, with national and foreign actors collaborating to transport Andorra’s lower-taxed tobacco products into neighbouring markets where taxation is higher. Despite their involvement in several illicit activities, there is no evidence that these criminal networks engage in or provoke violence in Andorra. Nor do they appear to have any interest in interfering with Andorra’s democratic institutions or governance.

There is no substantial evidence of direct involvement by state-embedded actors in organized crime in Andorra. No recent recorded cases indicate significant collusion between public officials and criminal groups.

Foreign actors play a notable role in Andorra’s criminal landscape, particularly in key illicit markets such as drug trafficking and tobacco smuggling. Criminal organizations from neighbouring countries are instrumental in maintaining supply chains for cannabis, cocaine and synthetic drugs, as local drug dealers in Andorra rely on external networks to obtain narcotics. Similarly, tobacco smuggling operations benefit from coordination between national and foreign groups, with cross-border cooperation ensuring the movement of contraband tobacco into France and Spain. Foreign actors are not only participants in Andorra’s criminal markets but, in some cases, exert significant control over them. These groups have been identified as having a strong presence in the synthetic drugs trade and arms trafficking. Foreign financial actors, including sanctioned Russian oligarchs, have used Andorran banks and companies to obscure illicit financial activities. While Andorra has taken steps to enhance regulatory oversight, concerns remain regarding the potential misuse of the country’s financial sector by foreign entities involved in organized crime.

Andorra’s private sector has historically been implicated in money laundering, particularly within the financial and banking sectors. However, recent assessments suggest that the role of Andorra’s financial sector in laundering illicit proceeds may have declined in 2024, indicating improvements in measures against money laundering. Despite these advances, investigations into financial institutions and legal advisory firms have revealed instances where Andorran banking and legal professionals helped foreign actors to move illicit funds through the country. While regulatory reforms have aimed to curb such activities, the long-standing appeal of Andorra’s financial sector for criminal actors, particularly those from outside the European Union seeking to launder illicit funds, remains a concern.

Leadership and governance

Andorra has a stable political system with strong governance structures that contribute to its resilience against organized crime. The country operates under a parliamentary co-principality system, with both domestic and external leadership playing a role in political decision-making. Governance remains effective, with institutions maintaining transparency and efficiency in public administration.

Transparency and accountability mechanisms in Andorra are generally strong. The country has introduced digital governance systems that facilitate public access to government operations and financial data. Efforts to curb corruption have led to improvements in oversight, but enforcement gaps remain in areas such as financial regulations. While Andorra’s political landscape is largely free from high-profile corruption cases, the risk of financial sector vulnerabilities remains a concern.

Andorra engages in active international cooperation to combat organized crime, participating in agreements with European and international organizations. The country collaborates closely with France and Spain on security and law enforcement, particularly in the areas of financial crime prevention and border security.

The country has established national policies and laws targeting organized crime at all stages of the criminal justice process, including criminalization, investigation, arrest, prosecution, adjudication and punishment. The existing stringent legal framework leaves no room for ambiguity or legality for criminal markets within the country.

Criminal justice and security

Andorra’s judicial system is independent and functions efficiently, handling cases of organized crime and financial misconduct with due process. The judiciary has been instrumental in processing financial crime cases, particularly in addressing past money laundering concerns within the banking sector. Prison conditions are considered to be adequate, and the prison system seeks to facilitate the re-education and ultimate social reintegration of inmates.

Law enforcement agencies in Andorra are well-trained and equipped to handle organized crime threats, particularly in areas of financial fraud and border security. Coordination with international law enforcement bodies, such as Europol and Interpol, enhances the country’s capacity to combat transnational crime.

Andorra maintains effective territorial integrity through strict border controls, particularly given its landlocked position between France and Spain. Border security is focused on preventing the smuggling of illicit goods, notably tobacco and narcotics. Despite these measures, smuggling networks continue to exploit border vulnerabilities, necessitating continuous cooperation with neighbouring countries to curb cross-border crime.

Economic and financial environment

Andorra has made considerable progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering framework, imposing stricter financial regulations and oversight mechanisms. The country has enhanced transparency in banking transactions, leading to improved compliance with international financial regulations. However, historical money laundering cases continue to affect Andorra’s reputation, and concerns persist about financial institutions’ ability to prevent illicit transactions.

The economic regulatory environment in Andorra has undergone significant reforms, particularly in response to European Union recommendations. The country has introduced policies aimed at reducing financial secrecy and increasing regulatory compliance. These reforms have improved Andorra’s standing in international financial assessments, safeguarding legitimate businesses and suppressing criminal activities.

Civil society and social protection

Victim and witness support services in Andorra have been expanded to provide assistance to individuals affected by organized crime, particularly in cases of financial fraud and trafficking. In terms of addressing drug use, Andorra has initiated an alternative rehabilitation program targeted at juveniles. Government-funded programmes offer legal, psychological and social support for victims. The country has a strong legal framework for prosecuting trafficking offences and provides specialized care for victims, although the scope of these services remains limited. A 2024 Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings report urged the country to address restrictive labour and immigration policies that may discourage victims from reporting crimes due to fear of losing their jobs or being deported. Moreover, there are still concerns about restrictive conditions for issuing residence permits to trafficking victims.

Crime prevention initiatives in Andorra focus on financial crime awareness, cybersecurity education and border security programmes. Public outreach campaigns have been launched to inform citizens about risks related to fraud, cybercrime and illicit trade. However, the rapidly evolving nature of organized crime requires updating prevention strategies to ensure their effectiveness.

Non-state actors, including civil society organizations and media outlets, play a crucial role in Andorra’s resilience against organized crime. Civil society organizations advocate for stronger regulatory frameworks. However, the small size of Andorra’s media sector limits the extent of independent oversight, necessitating stronger institutional transparency measures.