Andorra — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Andorra is unique in world philately: two separate postal administrations — the French postal service (La Poste) and the Spanish postal service (Correos) — each issue their own stamps for use in Andorra. This arrangement reflects Andorra’s unique constitutional status as a co-principality with the French President and the Bishop of Urgell as co-princes. French Andorra stamps are valid for postage to France and international destinations via French rates; Spanish Andorra stamps use Spanish rates. Both series have been issued since 1928 (French) and 1948 (Spanish).

Notable Stamp Issues

French Andorra stamps (Andorre) are printed by the French Imprimerie des Timbres-Poste and follow French philatelic traditions — high-quality engraved designs featuring Andorran landscapes, folk culture, and EUROPA themes. Spanish Andorra stamps (Andorra Española) follow Spanish printing styles and feature similar Andorran subjects. Both administrations issue EUROPA stamps annually. The 1963 French Andorra stamp featuring the Meritxell Sanctuary (Andorra’s patron saint’s shrine) is a classic issue. Stamps from both administrations are collected as a set by specialists.

Collecting Tips

Andorra requires two separate stamp catalogues: Yvert & Tellier for French Andorra and Edifil for Spanish Andorra. Michel covers both in its Western Europe volumes. Collectors typically collect both French and Spanish Andorra together as a single collecting area. Both administrations produce annual EUROPA stamps — comparing the two treatments of the same theme is enjoyable. The annual programme for each administration is modest, making complete collection straightforward. Pre-stamp Andorran postal history is documented but complex.

Part of the Europe Postal Directory.