Influencers, e-sports players, YouTubers: Andorra seduces and entices the internet world thanks to its favorable tax regime and peaceful living environment, with the aim of making this small principality in the heart of the Pyrenees a stronghold of digital professions.
Portable in the hand, luxury bag hanging on the arm, Laia Falko walks the streets of Andorra la Vella to feed her “Lifestyle” Instagram account, where she pops up at restaurants and clothing stores in the area.
This 39-year-old Spaniard, followed by 170,000 people, returned to settle in Andorra in early 2022, a few years after an initial stay.
“Quality of life, security” are some of the reasons that led them to settle at the foot of the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees in the highest capital in Europe (1,023 m).
And, she does not hide it, the financial aspect also plays a role: “It is very advantageous at the tax level, there are many differences to the countries around us.”
“Attractive taxation”
With 10% income tax, 10% also on company profits, and 4.5% VAT, Andorra with its almost 80,000 inhabitants stands out from its large Spanish and French neighbors.
“It’s an attractive tax system, but it’s approved at European level, we’re no longer a tax haven,” Eric Bartolomé, the Principality’s Secretary of State for the Economy, told AFP.
“Even if taxation plays an important role, the living environment, the proximity of France and Spain, are put forward more to explain the arrival of newcomers” linked to weaving professions, he says.
An increasingly important economic migration, accelerated after the start of the Covid epidemic by the arrival of the largest Spanish YouTubers, such as “El Rubius“ and its 40 million subscribers on the video platform.
“After that it developed like a snowball, the placement of Andorra allowing some to discover it as a country right next to Spain, with living conditions that they consider optimal,” estimates Mr. Bartolomé.
Other professions have followed in the footsteps of these “gamers”: retailers, e-commerce specialists, influencers, but also renowned athletes.
By welcoming this new population, Andorra wishes “Diversification of an economy heavily dependent on tourismSnow and cross-border trade, popular with the French, who come here to buy alcohol, cigarettes and perfume at low prices.
Several agencies have even sprung up to facilitate expatriation to this small country located 2h30 from Toulouse and Barcelona, such as Set up Andorra, led by Virginie Hergel, a French woman who has been living there for 22 years.
“There is an attractive tax system, but I also have a lot of security and quality of life requirements here, if you have minor children, there is no better place than the Principality to raise them,” assures the accompanying resident “for at least a year”. Persons.
“everything is better”
among his customers, Vincent hat29, video game designer came to work earlier this year.
“Everything is better, it’s totally in line with my lifestyle, really much more than in Paris, where I was just to work,” he describes.
With greater responsibility than in his last job in Paris, his salary “more than doubled”.
“Taxation did not have a direct impact on my decision to come to Andorra,” he says, but acknowledges that without it, his employer “may not be able to offer such a salary”.
Can the small mountainous country between Catalonia and the French department of Ariège, with many advantages, rival Dubai and its cohorts of preserved influencers?
“I get in touch with a lot of French YouTubers who have been to Dubai who thought it was great, but now they’re getting tired and they’re targeting Andorra,” said Virgine Hergel, underlining “the anonymity and the quality of life” they enjoyed by some of these celebrities.
“Maybe I can’t grow my influencer business like in Barcelona or Madrid because the partnership opportunities are less important here, but for me there are a lot more positives than negatives,” confirms Laia Falco.
Laptop in hand, luxury bag on her arm, Laia Falco roams the streets of Andorra la Vella to feed her “Lifestyle” Instagram account, popping up at area restaurants and clothing stores. This Spaniard at the age of 39, followed by 170,000 people She returned in early 2022, a few years after a first stay, to settle in Andorra. “Quality of life, security” are among the reasons that made them settle at the foot of the snowy peaks of the Pyrenees. Europe’s highest capital (1,023 million) has many differences from the countries around us.” With 10% income tax, 10% also on corporate profits and 4.5% VAT sets Andorra and its almost 80,000 inhabitants apart from its large Spanish and French neighbours. “It’s an attractive tax system, but once it’s approved at European level, we’re no longer a tax haven,” Eric Bartolomé, the Principality’s Secretary of State for the Economy, told AFP. “Even though taxation plays an important role, the living environment, the proximity of France and Spain, more are put forward to explain the arrival of “new arrivals” linked to web professions, according to him the Covid epidemic through the arrival of the largest Spanish YouTubers such as “El Rubius” and his 40 million Subscribers on the video platform.”After that, it has developed like a snowball, the positioning of Andorra has allowed some to discover it as a country right next to Spain, with living conditions that they consider optimal”, estimates Mr. Bartolomé.D Other professions are in followed in the footsteps of these “gamers”: retailers, people specializing in e-commerce, influencers, but also renowned athletes. By welcoming this new population, Andorra wants to “diversify an economy heavily dependent on tourism, snow and cross-border trade, popular with the French who come to collect alcohol, cigarettes and perfume at low prices. There are even several agencies have sprung up to facilitate expatriation to this small country located 2h30 from Toulouse and Barcelona, like Set up Andorra, led by Virginie Hergel, a French woman who has been live there for 22 years. “There is an attractive tax system, but I also have a lot of security and quality of life requirements here, when you have underage children no better than the principality to raise them,” assures the man who accompanies “for a minimum year” people who are His clients include Vincent Huet, 29, a video game designer who came to work earlier this year “Everything is better, it’s totally in line with my lifestyle, really much more than in Paris, where I was just to work,” he describes. With more responsibility than his last job in Paris, his salary has “more than doubled”. she “may not be able to offer such a salary”. The small mountain country between Catalonia and the French can also The department of Ariège competes with Dubai and its cohorts of received influencers with many advantages?” There are many French YouTubers who contact me who have been to Dubai who thought it was great, but now it’s tiring them and they’re targeting Andorra.” Virgine Hergel is delighted, underscoring “the anonymity and quality of life” some of these celebrities enjoy: “Maybe I can’t grow my influencer business the way I would in Barcelona or Madrid because the partnership opportunities are less important here, but for me there are a lot more positives than negatives,” confirms Laia Falco.