What Language Is Spoken in Andorra? Catalan, Spanish and French
A quick fact guide to the languages of Andorra, covering Catalan, Spanish, French, Portuguese, education, media, work, Eurovision and language policy.
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What is the official language in Andorra?
Catalan is the only official language of Andorra. Useful words: hola (hello), adéu (goodbye), sí (yes), no (no).
What percentage of people in Andorra consider Catalan their first language?
According to the Government of Andorra, in 2022, 44.1% of the population has Catalan as their first language.
What variety of Catalan is spoken in Andorra?
The variety of Catalan spoken in Andorra is North-Western Catalan.
How many people speak French at home in Andorra?
According to the Government of Andorra, in 2022, 10% of the population speaks French at home.
Is Portuguese spoken in Andorra?
Portuguese is the third most spoken language in Andorra. According to the Andorran Government, over 10% of Andorra’s population is Portuguese.
What language(s) are used in Andorra’s education system?
There are three schooling systems which use either Catalan, Spanish, or French as the language of instruction.
Has Andorra used Catalan at the Eurovision Song Contest?
Yes. All of Andorra’s entries have been exclusively or partially in Catalan. The first entry was in 2004: “Jugarem a estimar-nos” by Marta Roure.
How many people in Andorra speak Spanish at home?
According to the Government of Andorra, in 2022, 44% of the population speaks Spanish at home.
Are there English-language schools in Andorra?
Yes. There are two private schools that use English (one mainly in English, the other bilingual English-Spanish).
How many students in Andorra attend Catalan-language schools?
According to the Council of Europe, approximately 40% of children attend schools where Catalan is the main language.
How many students in Andorra attend French-language schools?
Approximately a third of children attend schools where French is the main language.
How many students in Andorra attend Spanish-language schools?
Approximately a quarter of children attend schools where Spanish is the main language.
What percentage of people in Andorra consider Spanish their first language?
According to the Government of Andorra, in 2022, 40.3% of the population has Spanish as their first language.
What language does Andorra Televisió use?
The public television broadcaster (Andorra Televisió) broadcasts in Catalan.
What percentage of people in Andorra consider English their first language?
English is the first language of 3% of the Andorran population, according to the Andorran Government.
Do Andorrans watch Spanish television?
Yes. Spanish-language television is popular in Andorra.
How many people can speak Catalan in Andorra?
According to a 2019 study by the Generalitat de Catalunya, 70.9% of the population can speak Catalan at a very high standard.
What is the most popular Catalan-language newspaper in Andorra?
El Periòdic d’Andorra—founded in 1997—is in Catalan and is the country’s most popular newspaper.
Do Andorrans identify with Catalan?
Yes. Over half of the population identifies with the Catalan language, according to government data.
Is music in Spanish popular in Andorra?
Yes. According to YouTube (2022), the ten most listened-to songs in Andorra were in Spanish.
What is the language of the University of Andorra?
Catalan is the main language of the University of Andorra.
Do Andorrans use Catalan at work?
According to the Government of Andorra, in 2022, 48.2% of the population says Catalan is the most used language at work.
Do Andorrans use Catalan with their friends?
According to the Government of Andorra, in 2022, 41.4% say Catalan is the language they use the most with friends.
Is Catalan widely understood in Andorra?
Yes. A 2019 Generalitat study reports 81.7% of the population has a high understanding of Catalan.
What is the official motto of Andorra, and in what language is it?
The official motto is in Latin: Virtus Unita Fortior (“United Virtue is Stronger”).
Are there free-to-air Portuguese-language channels in Andorra?
Yes. Two Portuguese channels—RTP Internacional and TVI Internacional—are available on digital terrestrial television.
Are there free-to-air English-language channels in Andorra?
Yes. BBC World News and CNN International are available on digital terrestrial television.
What was the first song in Catalan at the Eurovision Song Contest?
Andorra sent the first song in Catalan to Eurovision: “Jugarem a estimar-nos” by Marta Roure (2004).
What is the most visited news website in Andorra, and in what language is it?
According to Semrush figures (September 2023), the most visited news site in Andorra is the Spanish-language newspaper El Mundo.
Has Andorra signed or ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages?
No. Andorra has neither signed nor ratified the charter.
Quick facts
Andorra languages FAQ
What is the official language in Andorra?
Catalan is the only official language of Andorra. Useful words: hola (hello), adéu (goodbye), sí (yes), no (no).
What language(s) are used in Andorra’s education system?
There are three schooling systems which use either Catalan, Spanish, or French as the language of instruction.
Is Portuguese spoken in Andorra?
Portuguese is the third most spoken language in Andorra. According to the Andorran Government, over 10% of Andorra’s population is Portuguese.
Has Andorra used Catalan at the Eurovision Song Contest?
Yes. All of Andorra’s entries have been exclusively or partially in Catalan. The first entry was in 2004: “Jugarem a estimar-nos” by Marta Roure.
