Andorra is small.
Your insurance decision is not.
If you are moving to Andorra to study and you are bringing a partner or children, you need to solve two things at the same time: legal acceptance (your permit paperwork) and real-life protection (what happens when someone gets sick on a Tuesday night). The safest way to do that is to start from Andorra’s formal requirement, then work backwards into the type of plan that can actually meet it.
The rule that drives everything: you must prove “100%” medical cover
For Andorra’s immigration authorisation for studies (initial application), the Government’s e-tràmits guidance lists a required document: proof of a health insurance policy that covers 100% of any medical/health expense during the intended period. If the policy does not cover the full period, you may need to add a sworn declaration committing to renew it until your authorisation expires.
That “100%” wording matters.
It changes how you should read brochures and how you should compare cheaper vs. more comprehensive products.
Practical implication: if a policy has big exclusions (for example, it excludes outpatient care, pregnancy, or pre-existing conditions), it might still be “insurance,” but it may not be a comfortable match for a family trying to prove full medical cover for the stay.
So your first task is simple: choose your base pathway.
The two realistic pathways for student families
Pathway A: You qualify for Andorra’s CASS system (then you add a top-up if needed)
CASS is Andorra’s social security system.
It can be a strong foundation if you’re eligible, but it often does not mean every bill becomes zero.
Even local insurers market “Complement CASS” products because CASS can leave a portion of costs unpaid, and top-ups are designed to reimburse the part CASS does not cover (up to a stated percentage, depending on product rules).
If you can access CASS, this approach can be cost-efficient over a longer stay.
It can also be simpler for ongoing care.
Pathway B: You do not qualify for CASS (so you use a private international policy as your primary cover)
Many international students end up here.
This is especially common if you are not working in Andorra, you do not have a local contract, or your status does not create a direct route into the social system.
In this pathway, you select a private international plan that (1) explicitly covers Andorra, (2) allows dependants, and (3) produces a certificate that authorities and your institution can accept.
For families, this is often the cleanest paperwork route.
But it requires careful shopping.
Families: how dependants can be covered (and what to verify)
A common misunderstanding is that “family cover” automatically means everyone is accepted.
It doesn’t.
You need to verify three things in writing:
- Dependant eligibility: Does the policy allow a spouse and children to be added, and under what conditions (same address, age limits, marital status, student status for older children)?
- Duration alignment: Can the policy be issued for the full intended period (or can it be renewed with documentation that immigration will accept)?
- Scope alignment: Does “medical” truly include what your family might need (outpatient visits, prescriptions, pregnancy-related care, paediatric care, mental health support, and emergency evacuation/repatriation)?
If you later need care across the border, the details matter even more.
Andorra sits between France and Spain, and cross-border medical logistics are a real part of life.
Cross-border reality: emergencies and care outside Andorra
If you are insured through CASS, CASS provides information about emergency coverage during temporary stays in neighbouring countries (including France and Spain) and explains the supporting forms and process used for care coordination.
This does not mean “everything is free everywhere.”
It means you should plan for travel and border scenarios intentionally.
Actionable step: if you expect regular travel (weekends in France, flights via Barcelona, etc.), make sure your plan includes (or is paired with) medical assistance, and check how claims work outside Andorra.
What “good” insurance looks like for a student family in Andorra
Here is a practical checklist you can apply to any quote you receive:
Medical benefits that usually matter most
- Inpatient + outpatient: hospital stays and everyday doctor visits (children make outpatient care more important).
- Emergency care: ambulance, urgent diagnostics, emergency surgery.
- Prescription cover: not just inpatient drugs.
- Paediatric care: GP/specialist access, childhood illness, follow-ups.
- Mental health: counselling/therapy caps and waiting rules.
Family-specific benefits that often decide the outcome
- Maternity and newborn cover: waiting periods are common; ask directly and get the answer in writing.
- Pre-existing conditions: many plans exclude them or impose a waiting period before coverage begins.
- Dental and vision: often limited or optional, but families feel the gap quickly.
Paperwork that makes or breaks acceptance
- A certificate stating your names, dates, territory/area of cover (Andorra clearly included), and that it meets medical coverage expectations for the period.
- Clarity on renewal if your permit runs longer than the initial policy term.
A simple comparison table: choose your “base,” then fill the gaps
| Decision point | CASS + complementary (top-up) | Private international plan as primary |
| Best for | Longer stays, or students/families with a route into CASS | Students/families who need a clear visa/residence certificate and don’t qualify for CASS |
| Typical structure | CASS reimburses; top-up reimburses the uncovered share (product-specific limits) aca.ad | One policy covers the main medical risks; add liability/travel riders if needed |
| Main risk | Assuming CASS means “100%” automatically | Buying a cheap plan that excludes the care your family will actually use |
| Best next step | Ask whether you and each dependant can be covered under your status; then quote a top-up | Request a quote for “Andorra + dependants,” then verify benefits and exclusions line-by-line |
“Top 10” insurance options people often use (usable models for Andorra-bound families)
These are commonly used product types and providers that international students look at.
They are not endorsements.
The critical rule is this: confirm that Andorra is included in the territorial cover and that the insurer will issue a certificate that matches Andorra’s “100% medical expenses” documentation expectation.
1) Local CASS-based coverage (for eligible students/residents)
If you can enter the CASS system, it becomes your anchor.
Then you decide whether you need a top-up policy to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
2) ACA Segurs – Complement CASS (top-up style)
ACA Segurs describes its “Complement CASS” product as reimbursing the portion of medical acts that CASS does not cover (up to a maximum percentage).
This is a classic approach in systems where social security reimburses part, not all.
3) Mondassur (international student/expat broker model)
Mondassur markets insurance solutions for expats and students and is often used as a route to Andorra-compatible private cover when a student needs a certificate and family add-ons.
4) Indigo Expat Junior (young expat plan model)
Indigo Expat Junior is positioned as an international medical policy for young expatriates (18–30) with benefits like hospitalisation and outpatient care, and it includes repatriation assistance and personal liability in the package design.
Eligibility rules can be specific, so treat it as a “model plan” and confirm fit.
5) Student Secure (international student medical plan model)
StudentSecure is marketed as international student health insurance with multiple coverage levels and includes emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains in its design.
Always confirm the geography and whether dependants can be added for your destination.
6) IMG Student Health Advantage (student plan with dependant structure)
Student Health Advantage is presented as meeting student visa requirements and includes benefits like maternity and mental health (plan specifics vary by tier/market).
If you are bringing family, look closely at how dependant limits differ from the student’s limits.
7) Allianz Care (international student health insurance line)
Allianz Care markets international health insurance plans for students and highlights modular add-ons like outpatient and dental options.
This is useful when you want to build coverage around a predictable budget.
8) AXA Global Healthcare (international medical insurance model)
AXA Global Healthcare positions itself as international health insurance with global networks and configurable options (often used for families needing broader outpatient and chronic care support).
9) Cigna Global (family-oriented international health insurance model)
Cigna Global markets international health insurance designed for individuals and families, typically with configurable modules and wider chronic-care support in higher tiers.
10) Bupa Global (premium family expat model)
Bupa Global markets private international health insurance for individuals and families, with plans designed for people living abroad and using private care networks.
This tends to suit families prioritising breadth and service over minimum cost.
Typical cost ranges (what’s realistic, and how to budget)
A student-only plan is often priced lower.
Families change the maths quickly.
As a practical budgeting frame, many student-focused international plans sit in the “tens of euros per month” range for the individual, while full family international medical insurance commonly reaches into the “hundreds per month” depending on ages, outpatient level, deductibles, and maternity settings. (Always treat online starting prices as marketing, not your final quote.)
If you want one actionable budgeting tactic:
Ask every insurer for two quotes—one with outpatient + maternity, and one inpatient-only—then you can see exactly what those features cost for your family.
A step-by-step buying process that reduces mistakes
Step 1: Confirm your immigration document requirement with your dates
Start date and end date first.
Then match the insurance certificate dates to your actual expected stay.
Step 2: Decide your base pathway (CASS-anchored or private-anchored)
Do not shop insurers until you answer this.
It saves time.
Step 3: Build a family “care forecast”
Write down, honestly:
- Do you expect pregnancy in the next 12–18 months?
- Does anyone have an ongoing condition?
- How often do your children usually visit a GP?
Then buy cover that matches the forecast.
Not the cheapest headline.
Step 4: Get written confirmation on three points
- Andorra included in territory.
- Dependants included and named.
- Certificate wording is acceptable for your permit file. E-Tramits
Step 5: Keep one simple claims system
Families get overwhelmed by paperwork.
Choose a structure where you can submit claims in one place and track them, especially if you expect outpatient visits.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Assuming “Europe cover” includes Andorra. It might not, because some “Europe” student products are EU/EEA-only. Always check the country list and get it confirmed in writing. Swisscare ® | Official website
- Buying a plan without outpatient. This is survivable for a single healthy adult, but it often becomes expensive for families.
- Ignoring waiting periods. Pregnancy-related care and pre-existing conditions often trigger waiting rules. Ask early, before you pay. International Citizens Insurance+1
- Forgetting liability insurance. Some institutions expect personal liability cover alongside health cover (separate requirement from medical). If your school requires it, bundle it or buy it separately, but don’t skip it. studentinsuranceportal.com
References:
- Allianz Care. (n.d.). International student health insurance. allianzcare.com
- Andorra Government (Seu Electrònica – e-tràmits). (n.d.). Autorització d’immigració per estudis… autorització inicial (GV001313). E-Tramits
- ACA Segurs. (n.d.). Seguro complementario CASS (Salut – Complement CASS). aca.ad
- AXA Global Healthcare. (n.d.). International health insurance. AXA – Global Healthcare
- Bupa Global. (n.d.). Private health insurance & medical insurance. bupaglobal.com
- Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social (CASS). (n.d.). Cobertura en cas d’urgència durant una estada temporal a l’estranger / Convenis sanitaris (CASS information on emergency cover and coordination). elysiumconsultingfirm.com
- Cigna. (n.d.). International health insurance plans (individuals & families). cignaglobal.com
- Indigo Expat. (2025). International medical insurance policy Indigo Expat Junior. Indigo Expat
- International Student Insurance. (n.d.). Student Secure brochure (PDF). cdn.internationalstudentinsurance.com
- Student Insurance Portal. (n.d.). Health insurance in Andorra (students). studentinsuranceportal.com
- IMG. (n.d.). Student Health Advantage (plan overview). imglobal.com
