Good to know
Good to Know
- Andorrans value genuine interest in local culture—avoid making unfavorable comparisons to your home country or other places.
- Sunday family meals and community events are pillars of social life; accepting invitations is valuable for building relationships.
- Learn basic Catalan phrases—effort to use the official language is genuinely appreciated and shows respect for local identity.
- Skiing is more than a sport in Andorra; participating in ski-related activities or après-ski social gatherings significantly eases social integration.
- Public displays of affection are common and accepted, reflecting the country's relaxed social attitudes.
- The culture blends Catalan warmth with European formality—expect genuine hospitality alongside professional courtesy.
Greetings
First meetings, business, formal settings
- Greeting
- Handshake
- Description
- Handshakes are a common greeting in both formal and informal settings, used when meeting someone for the first time or in business environments. Maintain eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and a friendly smile.
Friends, family, acquaintances
- Greeting
- Kiss on the cheek
- Description
- When greeting friends, family, or acquaintances, it is customary to exchange kisses on the cheek. Generally one or two kisses on alternating cheeks, depending on level of familiarity and regional customs.
Verbal greeting
- Description
- A simple 'Hola' or 'Bon dia' (good day) is always appreciated.
Formal address
- Description
- Use formal titles like 'senyor' or 'senyora' when first addressing individuals, unless invited to use their first name.
Dining Etiquette
Wait to be seated
- Description
- Wait to be seated in restaurants rather than choosing your own table.
Keep hands visible
- Description
- Keep hands visible on the table during meals.
Wait for all to be served
- Description
- Do not start eating until everyone at the table is served.
Tipping
- Description
- Service charge is typically included in the bill, but it is appreciated to round up or add 5-10% for excellent service.
Religious Respect
- Religion
- Andorra is largely Catholic
Respect Practices
Dress code in churches
- Description
- Cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches like Sant Esteve in Andorra la Vella.
Mobile phone etiquette
- Description
- Silence mobile phones inside churches.
Photography
- Description
- Photography is usually allowed but check for signs before taking photos inside religious spaces.
Festival respect
- Description
- Be respectful during visits to sanctuaries and religious festivals.
Language
- Official Language
- Catalan
- Note
- Learning a few basic Catalan phrases will be greatly appreciated by locals and will ease integration. Spanish and French are widely spoken; English is common in tourist areas.
Dress Code
- Casual
- Casual attire is common in outdoor settings and casual social situations.
- Professional
- Corporate offices and multinational corporations expect formal or business casual attire (suits, shirts, trousers, and skirts).
- Tech Startups
- Startups and tech companies often have a more relaxed dress code.
Punctuality
- Dining
- Arrive on time for restaurant reservations.
- Casual Settings
- While punctuality may be more flexible in casual social settings, it remains courteous to be on time.
- Professional Settings
- Punctuality is valued in professional settings. Arrive on time for reservations and business meetings, as bus schedules are precise and strictly followed.
Business Communication
- Formality
- Communication is often formal and polite, especially in written correspondence such as emails.
- Meeting Style
- Business meetings often begin with small talk before transitioning into formal discussions.
- Decision Making
- Decision-making can be top-down in traditional hierarchies, though modern startups and multinational corporations have begun encouraging collaborative approaches.
- Indirect Refusal
- Employees may hesitate to say 'no' directly, preferring diplomatic phrases like 'I will try' or 'Let me check.'
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this culture & etiquette research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Andorra la Vella
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.