Andorra

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Prinsdom Andorra

South/West Europe

78.000

468 km²

0,01

Andorra la Vella
(highest Capital in Europe)

€

Catalan

Border information page about borders in Austria

Visited places

Bordercrossing

∆ Pas de la Casa (ADFR)

Border lake

∆ Estany de les Abelletes (ADFR)

Tripoints (not visited)

∆ ADESFRw (western tripoint)

∆ ADESFRe (eastern tripoint)

Bordercrossing

Pas de la Casa

Pas de la Casa: The Main Border Crossing Between France and Andorra

Pas de la Casa is the most important border crossing between France and Andorra, located along the N22 road in the Pyrenees. The border crossing is closely linked to the popular mountain and ski resort of Pas de la Casa, which sits directly on the international boundary between the two countries.

Although the actual France–Andorra border runs through the edge of the village, the joint customs and border control facilities are located slightly further north on French territory. This border checkpoint serves as the principal gateway for travelers and goods moving between France and Andorra.

The Pas de la Casa border post operates 24 hours a day, ensuring continuous access between the two countries. Because Andorra is neither a member of the European Union nor part of the Schengen Area, all

travelers are subject to customs and border controls. These checks play an important role in regulating the movement of people and goods across one of the busiest mountain border crossings in the Pyrenees.

For visitors exploring the France–Andorra border, Pas de la Casa is not only a key transportation hub but also an interesting location for those interested in international boundaries, border infrastructure, and the unique political status of Andorra.

Border lake

Estany de les Abelletes

Estany de les Abelletes:

A unique border lake between Andorra and France

Estany de les Abelletes is a remarkable border lake located on the Andorra–France (ADFR) border in the Pyrenees. What makes this mountain lake unique is that the international boundary runs directly through the middle of the lake, dividing its waters between the two countries.

To provide a more precise visual representation of the border, six official border markers were installed in 2019. These consist of three are chiseled into a rock and three boundary stones, clearly indicating the course of the international frontier around the lake.

During our visit in June 2026, we successfully located and documented all six border markers. Exploring these markers offered a fascinating insight into the exact alignment of the Andorra–France border and highlighted the unique status of Estany de les Abelletes as one of the few border lakes in the Pyrenees.

ADFR 0a

Treaty on the Delimitation of the Border Between France and Andorra at Estany de les Abelletes

The Treaty on the Delimitation of the Border between the French Republic and the Principality of Andorra (Traité de délimitation de la frontière entre la République française et la Principauté d'Andorre) is the agreement that formally established the international boundary in the disputed area around Estany de les Abelletes (Étang des Abelletes) near Pas de la Casa.

ADFR 0b

Signed on 12 September 2000, the treaty resolved a long-standing border issue between France and Andorra by clearly defining the frontier in the vicinity of the mountain lake. The agreement established the official border alignment and provided for the installation and recognition of international boundary markers, ensuring a precise and mutually accepted demarcation of the France–Andorra border.

Today, the border markers around Estany de les Abelletes serve as tangible evidence of this historic agreement and are of particular interest to border-marker enthusiasts, hikers, and visitors exploring the eastern Pyrenees. The treaty remains an important milestone in the modern delimitation of the France–Andorra international border.

The territorial exchange between France and Andorra is a bilateral agreement in which France transferred 26 hectares of land to the Principality of Andorra. The treaty was signed on 6 March 2012 and came into force on 1 September 2015. The border adjustment was made to improve access to drinking water for Andorra, particularly for the Pas de la Casa region.

The agreement followed earlier tensions in 1988 over water resources near the Ariège river, highlighting long-standing concerns about water supply in the border area. To address these issues, France and Andorra also signed a second agreement on joint water management alongside the border revision.

The transferred land includes Pyrenean slopes and part of Estany de Font Negra, a key water source for nearby Andorran communities. The new border required official demarcation, with boundary markers installed through a joint commission, although implementation took several years.

Historically, the France–Andorra border was loosely defined by customary use rather than physical markers, with formal demarcation only completed in the late 2010s.