Andorra - a cautionary tale

[drpeej]

I thought I should share my experience of travelling from France to Spain via Andorra.

When we arrived at the French/Andorran border a border official waved me through without stopping.

We found a very nice campsite in Canillo where we spent one night.

This morning we continued our journey South into Spain.

When we got to the Spanish border our problems started. We were ushered over into a side lane where we were given the 3rd degree. How had we entered Andorra? Where were we going?, How long for? Where were we going after Spain? The customs official was very upset that we hadn't got an entry stamp when we entered Andorra. I explained that we were just waved through but she still wasn't happy.

After some considerable discussion about how we had let this happen and a lecture about getting our passports stamped when we return to France we were allowed to go but not until the motorhome had been searched.

What I am not sure of is how we are meant to get our passports stamped when we pass from Spain to France through a Schengen border post that will probably be unmanned.

We shall see in a couple of days!

 

[pappajohn]

10 years or more ago passed through Andorra from the Spanish side.
Never even saw a border building, let alone an official, leaving Spain and the border on entering France was unmanned.

 

[Jays2]

Very strange!

 

[Soycd]

Andorra is not in Schengen, like UK, so I have to assume that the 90/180 day rule applies to Andorran residents?

Andorra Schengen Visa Explained | Andorra Guides

It's not always easy to get a simple answer on topics regarding Andorra. If you're looking for info on whether or not you need a Schengen visa to visit or leave Andorra, you've found the right place.

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I looked here and yes, it is very complicated.

 

[drpeej]

Andorra is not in Schengen, like UK, so I have to assume that the 90/180 day rule applies to Andorran residents?

I doubt it. I think it was a punitive rule applied to us as punishment for 'you know what'

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[Soycd]

I doubt it. I think it was a punitive rule applied to us as punishment for 'you know what'

Well its certainly not in Schengen or the EU, so a double whammy if you are a Brit coming out of Andorra. Maybe they get extra points for nabbing a double non Schengen/EU vehicle.

 

[busby]

10 years or more ago passed through Andorra from the Spanish side.
Never even saw a border building, let alone an official, leaving Spain and the border on entering France was unmanned.

Spanish customs are on the road leaving Andorra entering Spain..Some years ago travelling the other way into France we drove straight through but were pulled a few miles further on into a lay by and our car was searched,,luckily no contraband.BUSBY

 

[Guigsy]

I was searched leaving Andorra about 5 years ago on the motorbike.

 

[Mark and Mindy]

We were stopped leaving Andorra several years ago when we were doing a 10 countries in 10 days whistle stop driving tour in our Mustang, also questioned thoroughly but no contraband hidden anywhere.

 

[Landy Andy]

Go the back route Andorra to Spain. No customs.

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[Langtoftlad]

Perhaps, just perhaps, it's your responsibility to stop at a border crossing - even after being waved through - and get your passport stamped .

Presumably you're now in a Schengen area, so no need to get your passport stamped exiting Spain into France.
However, if it was necessary then I'd think it was your responsibility to transit through a manned border crossing.

 

[drpeej]

Perhaps, just perhaps, it's your responsibility to stop at a border crossing - even after being waved through - and get your passport stamped .

Presumably you're now in a Schengen area, so no need to get your passport stamped exiting Spain into France.
However, if it was necessary then I'd think it was your responsibility to transit through a manned border crossing.

Maybe you are right but it's an easy mistake to make and the purpose of my post was to warn others

 

[AlunandFelicie]

We were stopped and searched about ten years ago as we left ,nothing found

 

[The Coops]

Go the back route Andorra to Spain. No customs.
View attachment 638915

Done that in a 2CV about 35 years ago, though it was a bit rough in places!

 

[Landy Andy]

Done that in a 2CV about 35 years ago, though it was a bit rough in places!

Did you stop at the bar? Very odd, but nice experience. Good times.

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[The Coops]

No, but we did get some funny looks when we finally came off the track! And I think we learned what the Spanish was for *Recommended for four wheel drive only* was! The 2CV was very light, great suspension, ground clearance and took it all in its stride but we will own up to doing by accident we took a wrong turning and thought lets carry on!

 

[Landy Andy]

we took a wrong turning and thought lets carry on!

The best way

 

[gus-lopez]

However, if it was necessary then I'd think it was your responsibility to transit through a manned border crossing.

Yes even before the current situation for brits if you needed to declare anything it was your responsibility to use the customs posts on all main roads in the vicinity of the borders. Usually signed as an exit "for customs only" That is where you now have to go for a stamp. If necessary and the route you are travelling doesn't have one you have to use a route with one.

 

[PaulOH]

All MHs are channelled to a different lane and stopped entering Spain from Andorra.

First time they did it, they were nice enough and the Guardia Civil officer asked n Spanish to board and made a cursory inspection. We weren't asked for passports or IDs because the van is Spanish registered and I spoke Catalan throughout. He even tried to make jokes with the kids - they just looked at him!

Second time, we still had to do the special lane thing, but I was spoken to in Catalan by the Guardia Civil person and waved through, no onboard inspection.

I think with the Spanish registration, it's clear that you're 'coming home' but it might be different if you have a registration from somewhere other than France, Andorra or Spain.

I think the best thing to do in these circumstances is just be as pleasant as possible because there are police who seem to enjoy throwing their weight around and castigating people. Objective = cross the border, obstacle = stroppy police officer, strategy = smile, say yes, apologise where required, smile more, let any inspection happen, get waved through, job done!

Don't let bolshy police get to you! It happens but it doesn't mean anything is wrong!