From France to Munich: What it Means to Hold a Microstate Passport

Alex is a student currently on an exchange program at LMU in Munich. As a regularly enrolled student at the University of Nice-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, at first glance, nothing sets him apart from the other students. Yet this student holds citizenship in a European microstate: Andorra, inherited from his father. Between pride, a sense of belonging and administrative hurdles, let’s try to understand what it means, in the daily life of a young and mobile European, to be an Andorran citizen. 

What is your actual tie to Andorra currently?

I have never lived there permanently, only for holidays. I was born in Strasbourg and grew up in France. I mostly envision spending my life outside Andorra.

Why haven’t you taken German or French citizenship in this case?

Dual citizenship is strictly prohibited under Andorran law, so it is currently my only nationality. If I ever wanted to naturalize elsewhere, I would have to renounce my Andorran citizenship.

What do you think about potentially changing nationality?

Right now, it does not cause me enough trouble to justify giving it up. But if living abroad eventually requires me to hold citizenship in my country of residence, I will go through the naturalization process and surrender my Andorran passport.

And do you see yourself building a career inside Andorra or abroad?

Most likely abroad. Having the option to return is valuable, but the lack of housing and the high cost of living make relocating difficult. Working in the public sector in Andorra is appealing because the administration is small and accessible, but my professional trajectory is currently oriented internationally. What’s more, I understand Catalan, but the speaking part remains challenging.

How would you describe the Andorran administrative system compared to your other experiences in Europe?

Domestically, it is fast and personal. Because it is a microstate with a small population, you can apply for a passport and have it issued the very same day. Complications only arise when you live abroad. In France, it is manageable because Andorran citizens benefit from specific bilateral agreements and are treated almost like French nationals. But in other EU countries, because Andorra is not an EU member state, my legal status is technically that of a third-country national, which makes administrative procedures far heavier.

In your everyday life, how often are you reminded that you belong to a microstate rather than a standard EU country?

Usually at border control or airport security when an officer looks at my passport and remarks that it is the first time they have ever seen one. Beyond that, it rarely comes up in day-to-day interactions.

Which kinds of practical hurdles have you experienced with your Andorran passport when traveling, working, or dealing with foreign authorities?

Within the EU, it is generally smooth. We can travel freely, though staying long-term requires applying for a residence permit like any non-EU citizen. In Germany, when I wanted to apply for a residence permit, the administrative procedures proved far more complicated. Outside of Europe, however, Andorra is frequently unknown. Border officials often do not recognize the country, so I have to explain where it is.

Do you view your nationality purely as an administrative status, or does it carry personal identity and a sense of belonging?

Administratively first, since I do not live there. Yet I still feel a genuine sense of belonging. My grandparents lived there, my father grew up there, and I spent significant time there growing up. I know the country well and feel at home when I visit.

How would you characterize Andorra’s relationship with the European Union? 

There is maybe a dependency to the European Union friends. The major businesses are about tourism, selling goods… It always depends on other countries. There was an affair with a city at the border with France and that city lost almost every customer. Andorra remains outside the EU and the EEA. Andorrans lack automatic access to the single market and EU-wide mobility rights. In recent years, Andorra negotiated an Association Agreement with the European Union. The text has advanced, but it must still be ratified and approved by referendum. If implemented, it could grant Andorra access to key European frameworks, including programs like Erasmus+.

On a personal level, what does Andorran citizenship mean to you?

It is an administrative reality, but also a genuine root. Beyond that, in a microstate, community ties are strong. For instance, the Andorran embassy in Strasbourg hosts a reception for the national holiday every year at the ambassador’s residence. Even with its contradictions, sharing the civic values of a small, stable democracy is something I value. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.