CASS, doctors, & hospitals: the healthcare system for expatriates in Andorra

Are you considering the possibility of expatriating in Andorra but you wish to check the quality of the healthcare system in the Principality? Rest reassured, the facilities and the healthcare system, managed by the CASS Andorra, are amongst the most reliable in the world. We will explain how it works in detail, but we will also give you the addresses of the Andorran hospitals, health centers and social security approved doctors.

The CASS Andorra, the keystone of the social security system for natives and expatriates

The world’s best system!

Created in 1968, the CASS Andorra (“Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social”) deals with the country’s social security, notably medical care’s refund and other surgical and hospitalization operations in Andorra.

The expats will be glad to know that the British medical journal “The Lancet” recently classified the CASS Andorra as the best healthcare organization and system in the world, according to the HAQ index (Healthcare Access and Quality Index) that lists the ease of access and care’s quality.

The Principality is ahead of countries such as Iceland, Switzerland, or Luxembourg, in order.

Expatriates in Andorra or natives of the Principality, the CASS operates the same way for both

Since the enactment of the law that came into effect in November 2009, the registration to the CASS Andorra is mandatory for business owner, employees, and retired persons living in Andorra.

This recent legislation also establishes the amount of contributions to the health insurance and pension plan (retirements), the system is only based on contributions payed by the employers, employees and self-employed persons. They are all submitted to the same regime and covered for the same risks.

Please note that the two most important areas of the social and healthcare structure in Andorra (as well as invalidity and maternity centers) – pension and retirement – operate with their own independent resources.

What are the contributions to the CASS for expatriates in Andorra?

The basis of the contribution to the CASS Andorra is constituted by the gross salary perceived by workers (in 2017, the average basic income of self-employed persons was of 2 041€).

Contributions depend on payments made by employees and employers according to the general scale explained hereunder:

• disease area: 10% of the income including the employer’s part (7%) and the employee’s part (3%)
• pension area: 12% of the income including the employer’s part (8,5%) and the employee’s part (3,5%)

(The unsalaried workers will pay a monthly contribution going from 200 to 400 euros).

Careful: contributions’ reductions (varying between 25% and 75% of the basis) can be applied depending on the annual results of the previous financial year of each company. Please also note that active workers that are already pension’s holders do not contribute to the pension field of the CASS Andorra.

Refunds for healthcare and hospital expenses in Andorra

Medical care’s refund by the CASS Andorra applies for insured people as well as their assignees:

• partner without an activity,
• children under 18 years old,
• children under 25 years old studying.

Those refunds raise up to:

• 75% in case of medical check-up with a social security appointed doctor or in case of an outpatient treatment in a healthcare center or the hospital in Andorra,
• 90% in case of hospitalization,
• 100% in case of an accident in the workplace.

Doctors, healthcare organizations and hospitals in Andorra la Vella and in the Principality

The reference hospital in Andorra and the principal healthcare centers

In Andorra, there is a major hospital located near Andorra la Vella, the Principality’s capital. This hospital is near Escaldes-Engordany. Here are the contact details:

Hospital Principal Nostra Senyora de Meritxell
Av. Fiter I Rossell, 1-13
Escaldes-Engordany

Moreover, the country is connected by 12 medical centers carrying out primary care. Here are their contact details:

• Escaldes-Engordany: +376 861 098
• Sant Julia de Loria: +376 843 243
• Andorre-la-Vieille: +376 808 942
• Encamp: +376 831 711
• Pas de la Case: +376 755 350
• Canillo: +376 851 050
• La Massana: +376 837 430
• Ordino: +376 747 025
• Santa-Coloma: +376 725 636

In case of extreme emergency, you can call the 118 or the +376 861 335.

How can you find a doctor and be refunded in the best way possible?

The official rate of the social protection cover is 75% when you see a social security appointed doctor signatory of the CASS Andorra’s agreement. This rate is reduced to 33% when you see a doctor that is not appointed.

You will find in the following document a list of the doctors in the Principality that have signed the CASS Andorra’s agreement.

Of course, like in many European countries, the Andorran residents are free to subscribe to a complementary insurance or a private insurance policy in order to obtain a total refund of their healthcare or hospital expenses in Andorra.

Here is everything about the CASS, the healthcare system and the hospitals in Andorra. To make your expatriation easier, do not hesitate to contact Set Up, Private Concierge Services in Andorra, that will accompany you through every step while you settle in the country either to carry out administrative procedures, acquire an accommodation, create a company or to carry out many daily services, including for high-level sportspersons.