Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Andorra: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Activating Home or Inpatient Palliative Care

   • Referral to the public specialist palliative unit: In the Principality of Andorra, comprehensive care for patients with advanced illnesses or limited life expectancy is coordinated through the Palliative Care Unit (Unitat de Cures Pal·liatives) of the Servei Andorrà d'Atenció Sanitària, based at the Hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell and integrated with primary care centers [1].
   • Symptom management and home support: The multidisciplinary team of the Servei Andorrà d'Atenció Sanitària provides specialist medical control of pain and complex physical symptoms, home nursing visits, and psychological, social, and emotional support for both the ill person and family caregivers [1].
   • Public health insurance coverage and reimbursements: Medical treatments, hospital admissions, and prescribed home care within the public network are covered under the healthcare reimbursement and co-payment framework administered by the Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social, including special coverage tiers for severe or chronic illnesses [1] [3].
2. 2

   Executing Advance Medical Directives and Naming a Healthcare Proxy

   • Drafting the Advance Directives Document: While your family member retains full decision-making capacity, they may execute an Advance Directives Document (Document de Voluntats Anticipades) regulated by the Ministeri de Salut of the Govern d'Andorra, recording written instructions on the medical treatments and life-sustaining measures they wish to accept or refuse if they later become unable to express their wishes [2].
   • Designating one or more healthcare representatives: Within the same document, the ill person can appoint a trusted representative who will serve as the recognized interlocutor with the medical team of the Servei Andorrà d'Atenció Sanitària to interpret and uphold their clinical preferences [1] [2].
   • Formal execution and registration in the National Registry: The document may be executed before an Andorran notary or before three adult witnesses (at least two of whom must have no kinship within the second degree nor financial ties to the declarant) and must be registered with the National Registry of Advance Directives (Registre Nacional de Voluntats Anticipades) under the Ministeri de Salut so that it is linked to the shared electronic medical record [2].
3. 3

   Formalizing Notarial Powers of Attorney, Bank Mandates, and Legal Protection

   • Executing general or preventive powers of attorney before a notary: To prevent administrative paralysis over property or contracts if the illness progresses, it is advisable for the ill person to meet with a notary licensed in the Principality of Andorra (or request a home or hospital visit by the notary) to execute a public deed of general or preventive power of attorney while legal capacity remains intact [4].
   • Operating authorizations at Andorran banks: Relatives should check directly with the banks in the Principality where your family member holds accounts or investments regarding internal procedures for registering a notarial power of attorney or setting up bank operating authorizations to pay medical and household expenses smoothly [4] [5].
   • Judicial protection proceedings if capacity is lost: Should the illness prevent your family member from expressing their wishes before notarial powers have been granted, family members must apply to the civil division of the Batllia d'Andorra to request judicial protection or legal representation measures [4].
4. 4

   Applying for Disability Benefits, Dependency Support, and Caregiver Assistance

   • Financial benefits for incapacity or invalidity: When a serious illness prevents employment or causes a severe loss of personal autonomy, an insured person may apply to the Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social for recognition of an invalidity pension or sickness and incapacity benefits based on their contribution record [3].
   • Socio-health services and technical aids at home: Through the social services of the Govern d'Andorra and the social work team of the Servei Andorrà d'Atenció Sanitària, families can request dependency assessments, orthopedic and home-care equipment, and domestic care support [1] [2].
   • Guidance and support for family caregivers: The Palliative Care Unit of the Servei Andorrà d'Atenció Sanitària provides dedicated counseling and ongoing guidance to family caregivers to help manage physical and emotional strain throughout the care journey [1].
5. 5

   Advance Review of Wills, Insurance Policies, and Estate Documentation

   • Drafting or updating a will before an Andorran notary: While your family member retains full legal capacity, it is advisable to review or execute an open notarial will before a notary in the Principality of Andorra, ensuring compliance with the statutory reserved shares (legítima) under Andorran succession law and registration in the Chamber of Notaries' wills registry [4] [5].
   • Gathering civil registry records and verifying insurance beneficiaries: It is helpful to obtain updated birth and marriage certificates in advance from the Registre Civil d'Andorra and to verify beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, savings plans, and bank accounts held in the Principality [3] [5].
   • Cross-border coordination for foreign assets or heirs: If the ill person owns real estate, bank accounts, or investments both in Andorra and in Spain, France, or other countries, or if prospective heirs reside abroad, it is prudent to coordinate the applicable succession law with an Andorran notary and compile a clear inventory of assets to streamline future procedures before Andorran and foreign authorities [4] [5].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Healthcare Programs - Palliative Care Unit (Unitat de Cures Pal·liatives) — Servei Andorrà d'Atenció Sanitària (SAAS)
2. [2]
   Health Topics - Advance Directives (National Registry of Advance Directives) — Govern d'Andorra - Ministeri de Salut
3. [3]
   Social Security Benefits and Pensions — Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social (CASS)
4. [4]
   Administration of Justice of Andorra - The Batllia and Courts — Administració de Justícia d'Andorra (justicia.ad)
5. [5]
   Civil Registry and Family Document Procedures — Govern d'Andorra