Driving in Andorra from the UK: what you need
Checked against official sources on 8 November 2026 · Sources at the bottom of this page
Driving your own car to Andorra? You need:
- Snow chains in the car, or winter tyres, from 1 November to 15 May Compulsory for all cars. See below
- A UK sticker, unless your number plate shows "UK" with the Union flag Driving in through Spain? Spain needs a UK sticker whatever your plate shows
- Your photocard driving licence, logbook (V5C) and insurance certificate Still have an old paper licence? You may need an international driving permit (£5.50 at a PayPoint) Hire or lease car from the UK? Take a VE103 certificate instead of the logbook
- A passport for everyone in the car Hotels must register you with the police, so you'll need it there too
- Warning triangles and a hi-vis vest Wear the vest if you get out on an open road or at an accident
- Headlights set for driving on the right Many newer cars adjust from a menu setting, others need beam deflector stickers
🛂 Not in Schengen, but you go through it
Andorra isn't in the EU or the Schengen area, but you can only reach it through France or Spain, so you must meet the Schengen passport rules: less than 10 years old on the day you arrive and valid for 3 months after you leave Schengen. Time in Andorra counts towards your 90 days in 180. There are customs checks when you leave Andorra.
Check your passport for Andorra →Winter: chains, tyres and snow phases
Andorra is high in the Pyrenees, and snow is common from late autumn to spring. From 1 November to 15 May, every car must carry snow chains (or similar) ready to use, unless it has winter or M+S tyres.
Envalira tunnel (on the main road from France): €8.10 each way for a car up to 2 m high, or €14.20 for vehicles 2 to 3 m high.
Shopping and customs when you leave
Andorra's low taxes make it popular for shopping, but France and Spain check what you bring out. Per adult (17 or over):
- Tobacco: 300 cigarettes, or 150 cigarillos, 75 cigars or 400 g of tobacco.
- Alcohol: 1.5 litres of spirits, or 3 litres of drinks under 22%, plus 5 litres of still wine.
- Other goods: up to €900 (food up to €300).
- Fuel: a full tank, plus a 10-litre can into Spain.
France and Spain can confiscate excess tobacco, and the car.
Speed limits in Andorra
| Road | Limit |
|---|---|
| Main roads (carreteres generals) | 90 km/h≈ 56 mph |
| Secondary roads | 60 km/h≈ 37 mph |
| Towns and villages | 50 km/h≈ 31 mph |
Some streets are 30 km/h or 20 km/h zones. In snow, the colour phases set lower limits.
Rules that catch UK drivers out
🍷 Drink-drive limit
0.5 g/l. The fine is €400 for 0.5 to 0.8 g/l and €600 above that, and you can lose your licence for up to 2 months.
📵 No phones or earpieces
Using a phone while driving is banned unless it's fully hands-free, and headphones and earpieces are banned too.
📡 Radar detectors banned
Carrying a radar detector is illegal.
💡 Tunnels
Use your lights in tunnels, and main beam in poorly lit ones unless you're using dipped beam.
🅿️ Parking
Park on the right-hand side of the road, except on one-way streets in towns. Illegally parked cars can be towed away.
Breakdowns and emergencies
- Call 110 for the police, 116 for an ambulance, 118 for fire and 112 for mountain rescue.
- Turn on your hazard lights, move to the right or an emergency area, put on a hi-vis vest and place the warning triangles.
- After an accident, fill in a European Accident Statement and tell your insurer within 8 days.
Hiring a car in Andorra instead
- If you hire a car in France or Spain, check the hire company allows you to take it into Andorra, and that it has chains or winter tyres in winter.
- They may ask for a DVLA licence check code. Get one on GOV.UK shortly before you collect the car: it's only valid for 21 days.
FAQs
Do I need snow chains in Andorra?
From 1 November to 15 May, every car must carry snow chains (or similar) ready to use, unless it has winter or M+S tyres. When roads are snowy or icy, winter equipment is compulsory, and driving without it is a €180 fine.
Is Andorra in the Schengen area?
No. Andorra isn't in the EU or Schengen, but you can only reach it through France or Spain, so you must meet the Schengen passport rules. Time in Andorra counts towards your 90 days in 180.
How much can I bring back from Andorra?
Per adult, leaving for France or Spain: 300 cigarettes, 1.5 litres of spirits (or 3 litres of drinks under 22%) plus 5 litres of still wine, and other goods worth up to €900. Spain allows a full fuel tank plus a 10-litre can. France and Spain can confiscate excess tobacco, and the car.
How much is the Envalira tunnel?
€8.10 for a car up to 2 m high, each way. Taller vehicles (2 to 3 m) pay €14.20.
What is the speed limit in Andorra?
90 km/h on main roads, 60 km/h on secondary roads and 50 km/h in towns, with 30 and 20 km/h zones.
What is the drink-drive limit in Andorra?
0.5 g/l. The fine is €400 for 0.5 to 0.8 g/l and €600 above that, and you can lose your licence for up to 2 months.
More for your trip
Sources
Checked on 8 November 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
- GOV.UK: Andorra entry requirements · Andorra safety and driving · International driving permits · UK stickers · Insurance abroad
- Andorra: Traffic law (Llei 12/2021) · Snow phases · Traffic information line · Envalira tunnel prices · Customs allowances (Govern d'Andorra) · Police
- France and Spain: French customs: Andorra allowances · Spanish tax agency: traveller allowances