Medical emergencies in Andorra: transfers and protocols

Last update: June 2026

Pedestrian safety on Andorra's roads: The Incles case

Andorra is known worldwide for its excellent quality of life, its stunning mountain landscapes, and virtually nonexistent crime rates. However, as in any place in the world where pedestrians and vehicles share the road, the road entails real risks. A recent and tragic incident has once again brought the debate about road safety to the forefront. road safety in Andorra: a minor was hit by a vehicle at a pedestrian crossing on the General Highway 2 (CG-2), specifically at kilometer point 15.8, in the Incles area.

The CG-2 is the main road connecting Andorra la Vella to the French border, passing through important urban and residential areas such as Encamp, Canillo, the Incles junction, Soldeu, and Pas de la Casa. Because it is a mountain road with straight stretches and good visibility, some drivers tend to become less attentive or exceed the speed limits, which in these semi-urban areas are usually limited to 50 or 60 km/h. These types of areas require maximum attention, as it is common to see hikers, skiers, and local residents crossing to access natural areas or bus stops.

In Andorran law, pedestrians have absolute priority at marked crosswalks. The Principality's traffic regulations are extremely strict regarding these priority zones. Failure to yield to a pedestrian at a properly marked crossing not only carries severe fines and points deducted from the driver's license, but, in the event of a collision resulting in injuries, can lead to serious criminal charges for the driver. Despite the strictness of the laws, the country's topography and winter weather necessitate constant vigilance from both drivers and pedestrians.

The SUM rescue and emergency protocol in Andorra

When a traffic accident in Andorra with serious consequences, the public health system's response is immediate and highly coordinated. The backbone of the system Medical emergencies in Andorra It is the SUM (Medical Emergency Service), a body of highly specialized professionals who work closely with the Andorra Police and the Fire Department.

The country's geography, being a mountainous territory of relatively small size, presents unique advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, physical distances are short, allowing for incredibly rapid medical response times to serious incidents, generally under ten minutes at almost any point on the main road network. On the other hand, the difficult access to certain mountainous areas requires rescue services to be proficient in life support techniques in extreme environments.

In the event of an accident with serious injuries, the first unit to arrive stabilizes the victim at the scene. If the SUM medical team determines that the patient's injuries are life-threatening or require specialized care beyond local capabilities, the air evacuation protocol is immediately activated. For this, a medical helicopter AndorraA helicopter is an indispensable rescue tool in the Pyrenees. It allows rescues to be completed in a fraction of the time required by road, which would involve a long, winding, and potentially dangerous journey due to the curves and traffic in the valleys.

International health agreements: Why are seriously ill patients being transferred to Barcelona?

One of the most frequent questions among foreigners who decide to settle in the Principality is how major medical emergencies are handled in such a small country. Although the quality of the hospitals in Andorra It is outstanding; the country has only one general reference hospital: the Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell, located in Escaldes-Engordany.

This hospital is fully equipped to handle the vast majority of everyday illnesses, general surgeries, childbirth, and ski-related injuries. However, given the country's population size (around 85,000 inhabitants), maintaining highly specialized, tertiary-level units, such as a burn unit, advanced neurosurgery, or specialized pediatric intensive care, would be impractical and financially unsustainable. Therefore, for extremely serious cases, the Government of Andorra maintains robust international healthcare cooperation agreements.

El principal acuerdo se mantiene con España (a través del Servei Català de la Salut – CatSalut) y con Francia. Esto permite que pacientes críticos sean derivados de urgencia a hospitales de máximo nivel en Barcelona o Toulouse. En el caso de accidentes infantiles graves, como el ocurrido recientemente en Incles, el centro receptor de referencia es el Hospital Sant Joan de Déu de Barcelona, un referente mundial en pediatría. El Medical transfer Andorra Barcelona It is carried out by direct air from the authorized heliports of the Principality (such as the one of the hospital itself or that of La Massana) to the heliports of the receiving hospitals in Catalonia in an estimated time of between 30 and 40 minutes of flight.

Regarding logistics and costs, if the affected person is a resident and contributes to the Andorran social security system (CASS), these urgent transfers due to force majeure are fully covered by the public system. For tourists and non-resident foreigners, the cost of a medical helicopter and hospitalization abroad can be astronomical if they do not have adequate travel insurance or the corresponding coverage under bilateral social security agreements.

Practical road safety guide for foreigners in Andorra

Driving on Andorra's roads is a spectacular experience, but it requires adapting to a series of traffic rules and very particular weather conditions. To avoid any surprises or traffic accident in AndorraWe recommend you follow these safety guidelines:

• Strictly respect pedestrian crossings: In Andorra, traffic regulations dictate that pedestrians always have absolute priority, and drivers must stop their vehicles as soon as someone approaches the sidewalk to cross. Failure to do so is considered a serious breach of civic duty and is subject to severe penalties.
• Mandatory winter equipment: Between November 15th and May 15th, it is mandatory by law to carry winter tires or snow chains in the trunk. Fines for obstructing traffic due to not having the proper equipment on snowy days are very strict.
• Attention cyclists: Andorra is a haven for road cycling. On the single-lane mountain passes, exercise extreme caution and maintain the mandatory 1.5-meter safety distance when overtaking.
• Use of roundabouts: The Principality is full of roundabouts to ease mountain traffic. Make sure you understand the right-of-way rules to avoid the side collisions that are very common between foreign drivers.

If you witness or are involved in a hit-and-run or collision in Andorra, remember to always apply the international PAS protocol: Protect the scene of the events (with emergency lights and vest), Warn to the authorities by immediately calling 112 or 116, and Help treat the victims to the best of your medical knowledge, without moving the seriously injured unless there is an imminent risk of explosion or collapse.

Finally, never underestimate the importance of medical coverage. If you are visiting Andorra as a tourist, be sure to request the corresponding travel authorization form from your home country's social security system before you travel, or purchase private travel insurance that includes mountain rescue and medical repatriation coverage. Having this coverage will guarantee you the best care without jeopardizing your financial stability in the event of any unforeseen health issues in the Principality.

If you're planning a move or vacation to Andorra, the safety and functioning of the healthcare system are vital for your peace of mind. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive detailed guides about life, healthcare, and legal procedures in the Principality in a straightforward and easy-to-understand way.