Andorra: Best Prepaid SIM Card Buying Guide (2023)

Andorra – known for its ski resorts, clean air & stunning nature.

It is also one of the smallest countries in Europe.

And its airport is not even within its borders – it lies in Spain.

So, what can you do in Andorra?

You should not be expecting a thrilling nightlife as in Barcelona or Toulouse.

Instead, you can enjoy nature in peace, like taking a hike in Estanys de Tristania.

The Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley is stunning too.

And if you are into mountain biking, Vallnord Bike Park La Massana is the place to be.

Even though the country is small, there is no need to be bored in Andorra.

Dealing with an expensive international roaming bill will certainly not be enjoyable because you forgot to turn off international roaming.

That feature can be expensive, which is why I always recommend getting local SIM cards, like an Andorran one, so that you can enjoy local rates.

SIM cards are not cheap in Andorra. In fact, they are expensive for European standards.

But even then, the SIM card prices and mobile data rates will certainly be low than international roaming in Andorra.

So, how expensive are SIM cards in Andorra?

You can get an Andorran SIM card for 9 EUR (9.60 USD) or 19 EUR (20.20 USD) from Andorra Telecom in their stores. SIM cards are not sold at Andorra-La Seu d'Urgell Airport (LEU – in Catalonia, Spain).

Those prices are not to bad – especially as both plans include plans with data and local minutes.

Even then, the data allowances are low and still pricey compared to many other European nations.

But that is what you get when there is only one mobile operator that holds a monopoly – there is no incentive to reduce prices 🥲.

In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Andorra. Let's get started, shall we?

Original publication: 23rd of May 2020. Last updated: 8th of March 2023.

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Table of Contents

Can You Buy a SIM Card in Andorra?

Anyone living in or visiting Andorra can buy an Andorran SIM card from Andorra Telecom with no restrictions.

You do have to comply with the SIM card registration regulations.

Moreover, you need a phone that supports the frequencies used in the country (preferably all of them to have the most optimal experience while in Andorra).

Furthermore, you need to have a SIM-lock-free device.

Where Can You Buy a SIM Card in Andorra?

You can get an Andorran SIM card in Andorra Telecom stores. SIM cards are not sold at Andorra-La Seu d'Urgell Airport (LEU – in Catalonia, Spain).

You can expect to pay the following for Andorran SIM cards:

• Andorra Telecom: 9 EUR & 19 EUR

For up-to-date EUR:your currency (let's say USD) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

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Can You Use Your Phone in Andorra?

Andorra uses GSM technology for mobile communications. CDMA phones will not work in Andorra. If your phone has a SIM card slot, then it supports GSMA (99% of the phones do support GSM nowadays).

Traditional European frequencies are used in Andorra, which are mostly used in ITU Regions 1 and 3 (Africa, Asia (including the Middle East), Europe & Oceania).

The Americas (North-, Central– & South America + the Caribbean – ITU Region 2) use American frequencies, which differ from the European ones.

If you bought your phone in Africa, Asia, Europe, or Oceania (ITU Regions 1 and 3), you should not experience any issues with using your phone in Andorra.

If you purchased your phone in the Americas (ITU Region 2) and have a low/medium-end device (without Tri-Band or Quad-Band) support, then there is a possibility you cannot use your phone when in Andorra or can only use slower networks (3G or 2G).

If you have a medium/high-end device with Tri-Band or Quad-Band support, you can use your phone in Andorra (to some extent) – also on 4G/LTE and 5G NR.

Mobile Operators, Networks & Frequencies in Andorra

Andorra has only one mobile operator offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:

• Andorra Telecom

The following frequencies are used in Andorra:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20) & 1800 MHz (Band 3)
• 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)

You can learn more about frequencies in the video below.

To check whether your phone will work in Andorra, check out this page by Kimovil or this one by Will My Phone Work (outdated, unfortunately, but extremely user-friendly – useful for phones launched in or before 2019. It does not check for 5G NR compatibility).

Again, make sure your phone is unlocked. Otherwise, you will not be able to use any SIM card except the one from your home operator (meaning you have to roam internationally or buy another unlocked phone that does support the frequencies listed above).

If you want to learn how international roaming works, this guide explains it in-depth. If you wonder why it is often so expensive to roam, this article explains the hidden reason they do not want you to know.

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VoLTE & VoWiFi in Andorra

VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G) – also known as HD Voice) is available in Andorra (by Andorra Telecom). However, VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi – also known as WiFi calling) is not available.

This means that your phone does not have to downgrade to 2G or 3G when making a call in Andorra (unlike mobile operators that do not support VoLTE).

VoWiFi is, as the name implies, calling on a WiFi connection as opposed to on a cellular network.

5G NR in Andorra

Commercial 5G NR has been available in Andorra since December 2021. It is available on the Andorra Telecom network. Prepaid customers can use 5G NR too.

Best SIM Card in Andorra

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Best eSIM in Andorra

Andorra Telecom offers eSIMs to prepaid customers, which is free if you get it together with a plan (costing 9 EUR or 19 EUR).

If you switch from a physical Andorra Telecom SIM card to an eSIM, you will pay a 6 EUR activation fee.

Also, you can get Andorra eSIMs from Holafly – offering you much more data than Andorra Telecom will offer you.

You have three options:

• Andorra 3 GB eSIM for 5 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
• Andorra 6 GB eSIM for 7 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
• Andorra 12 GB eSIM for 20 days

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 7^th of March.

Use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for exclusive deals when getting Holafly eSIMs, AND get an additional 5% off!

With these eSIMs, you can skip Andorra's SIM card registration scheme entirely and use it immediately upon arriving in Andorra!

TIP: Check out my eSIM lookup tool for an overview of local mobile operators offering eSIMs to prepaid customers and travel eSIMs I use and love (for eSIMs in Andorra and eSIMs worldwide).

SIM Card Registration in Andorra

SIM card registration with your passport information is required in Andorra. It will be done at the point of sale.

EU Roaming in Andorra

Note that Andorra is not part of the European Union (EU) nor the European Economic Area (EEA), meaning that EU roaming regulations do not apply in Andorra.

As a result, you should not expect to roam for free if you have an EU/EEA SIM card while traveling in Andorra.

Plenty of European mobile operators do include Andorra as one of their free EU/EEA roaming countries, which you can confirm in my Europe SIM card buying guides.

Bouygues Telecom (France), Free Mobile (France) & Orange France include Andorra in their free EU/EEA roaming country list. No Spanish mobile operator does so.

Be aware that, as Andorra is not in the EU/EEA, you cannot roam for free with Andorran SIM cards in the EU/EEA.

You will be better off going to France or Spain to get a SIM card allowing for free EU/EEA roaming.

Andorra Mobile Internet Prices & Insights

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Currency in Andorra

Andorra uses the Euro with the symbol EUR (which will be used throughout this guide).

However, prices are often listed as just €. For example, 25 EUR = €25.

For reference, below are some exchange rates between EUR and USD (US Dollars):

• 1 EUR = 1.05 USD
• 10 EUR = 10.60 USD
• 100 EUR = 106.20 USD

For up-to-date EUR:your currency (let's say USD) exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Andorran Prepaid SIM Cards

Below, I will guide you through Andorra Telecom, and go through:

• Background information
• Mobile coverage
• SIM card types, prices & availability
• Recharge / top-up information
• Combo plans, data plans & special packs (such as social media packs)

With that being said, let’s see what Andorra has to offer to us.

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Andorra Telecom

Andorra Telecom is the only mobile operator in Andorra.

It is also a fixed broadband, fixed-line telephony & digital television provider.

Andorra Telecom uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20) & 1800 MHz (Band 3)
• 5G NR: 3500 MHz (n78)
• VoLTE: Yes
• VoWiFi: No

This is what you will learn about Andorra Telecom:

* Coverage
* How to Get an Andorra Telecom SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* My Andorra Telecom Review (in Andorra la Vella)
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Andorra Telecom

Andorra Telecom has extensive coverage throughout the country.

However, you should expect degraded reception up in the mountains.

Below is Andorra Telecom's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

SIM Card Price – Andorra Telecom

You can get an Andorra Telecom SIM card for 9 EUR with 1 GB and 20 local minutes or 19 EUR with 3 GB and 60 local minutes in Andorra Telecom stores. Andorra Telecom SIM cards are not sold at Andorra-La Seu d'Urgell Airport (LEU – in Catalonia, Spain).

It is possible to get an Andorra Telecom eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.

Note that Andorra Telecom requires your identification (passport) for eSIMs and physical SIM cards.

Therefore, if you wish to get an eSIM for Andorra without personal detail capturing, you can get Andorra Handi eSIMs from Airalo (six options):

• 1 GB/7 days
• 2 GB/15 days
• 3 GB/30 days
• 5 GB/30 days
• 10 GB/30 days
• 20 GB/30 days

No idea what or who Airalo is? Check out my Airalo review, where I share my hands-on experience after using its eSIMs in more than 25 countries over four years.

If you plan on visiting other neighboring European nations, consider the Airalo Eurolink eSIM to be used in 39 European countries with six variants:

• 1 GB/7 days
• 3 GB/30 days – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
• 5 GB/30 days– very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
• 10 GB/30 days – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
• 50 GB/90 days
• 100 GB/180 days

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in March based on data up to the 13^th of March (2023 data only)

Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Airalo review!

• Be sure to check out my Airalo Eurolink eSIM review for my insights!

Note that Andorra Telecom offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and you have enabled it in the settings but no VoWiFI (Voice over WiFi).

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Andorra Telecom

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Andorra Telecom

Andorra Telecom has two data-featured prepaid packages: Plans (combo) and Add-Ons (data).

I will list all the prices in EUR (Euro).

To convert EUR to your currency (USD – United State Dollar) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Plans – Andorra Telecom

The Plans, which may not be called plans but have no clear name, are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access) and minutes.

Call 115 to activate Plans:

Price	Plan	Data	Local Minutes	Validity
9 EUR	S Rate	1 GB	20 minutes	30 days
19 EUR	M Rate	3 GB	60 minutes	30 days

Add-Ons – Andorra Telecom

The Add-Ons are data add-ons. They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.

Send a blank SMS to 102/103/104 ¹ to activate Add-Ons:

Price	Data	Validity	Activation Code 1
2 EUR	200 MB	3 days	Blank SMS to 102
5 EUR	0.5 GB	7 days	Blank SMS to 103
9 EUR	1 GB	30 days	Blank SMS to 104

¹ if your phone does not allow you to send a blank SMS, then you can send whatever to 102/103/104 (such as a space, a dot, or a short poem)

My Review – Andorra Telecom

I had the chance to try out Andorra Telecom in March 2022.

Honestly, the network performance was much better than I expected.

It is almost worth the money 😳.

Okay… it is still expensive, but international roaming in Andorra will be much more costly in many cases.

You can read my Andorra Telecom review here.

APN/Internet Settings – Andorra Telecom

• Name: Andorra Telecom
• APN: internet

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Andorra

Getting a SIM card from Andorra Telecom would be your only option when considering an Andorran SIM card.