Frequently Asked Questions
Andorran phone numbers follow the international E.164 standard, starting with +376 followed by 6-8 digits. Fixed lines begin with 7 or 8 and have six digits, mobile numbers start with 6 and have eight digits, and special service numbers vary in length from 3-8 digits. Always store numbers in this international format for consistency and compatibility.
Use a regular expression like /^6\d{7}$/ to validate Andorran mobile numbers. This checks for the '6' prefix and seven following digits. Ensure your validation also accounts for reserved or invalid number ranges within the allowed format for greater accuracy. Providing helpful error messages will guide users towards correct input.
+376 is the internationally recognized country code assigned to Andorra, as per ITU-T Recommendation E.164. It's required for calls from outside Andorra and crucial for international communication, mobile apps, and databases.
For local users within Andorra, displaying the number without the country code (+376) is acceptable. However, always display the full E.164 format (+376XXXXXXXX) for international users to ensure clarity and proper functionality.
Andorra Telecom is the sole telecommunications provider in Andorra and also acts as the regulatory authority. This unique setup means they handle both service provision and enforcement of telecommunications standards, ensuring compliance with international regulations and facilitating service delivery across the principality.
Number portability is fully implemented in Andorra, meaning users can switch providers while keeping their existing number. Developers need to incorporate portability checks, update databases regularly with ported number information, and maintain records of number changes for accuracy and troubleshooting.
Andorra Telecom's integrated role as both operator and regulator requires developers to be mindful of data protection and compliance standards. Adherence to international standards (like E.164), service quality requirements, and consumer protection measures are crucial. Robust consent management for marketing messages is paramount.
Andorra Telecom supports standard SMS (160 characters) using GSM-7 and UCS-2 character sets. Implement delivery reporting and handle character encoding correctly. They also offer MMS support for larger messages and multimedia content, providing an enhanced user experience. Ensure you have explicit user consent before sending any non-essential messages.
Use a modular architecture with separate components for validation, routing, and compliance. This improves maintainability and scalability. Always store numbers in E.164 format, implement robust portability checks (ideally real-time), and conduct thorough testing covering all number formats, internationalization, special number cases, and various portability scenarios.
Due to strict data protection rules enforced by Andorra Telecom, explicit consent is crucial before sending marketing SMS. Implement a robust consent management system, possibly using a database table to store user consent records, including consent type, timestamp, and status. This ensures compliance and maintains user trust.
SMS messages are limited to 160 characters. Supported character sets are GSM-7 and UCS-2, so handle encoding carefully. Implement delivery reporting. Andorra also supports MMS, allowing larger messages and multimedia. According to OpenMarket, Andorra has full one-way SMS reach, meaning messages can be delivered to all mobile operators in the region.
Always include the +376 country code when storing phone numbers in your database and when displaying them to international users. This ensures compatibility with international systems and avoids confusion. You can omit it when displaying numbers to local users within Andorra.
Yes, number portability is fully supported in Andorra. You can switch to Andorra Telecom while keeping your current number. This is managed by Andorra Telecom, which serves as both the service provider and regulatory authority. Contact Andorra Telecom for details on the porting process.
Andorra Phone Numbers: Complete Format, Validation & SMS Integration Guide
This guide covers Andorra phone number formats, validation techniques, and SMS integration for developers working with the +376 country code. Whether you're building a contact form, implementing two-factor authentication, or integrating SMS functionality, you'll find everything needed to work with Andorran telephone numbers in compliance with ITU-T E.164 standards.
Understanding Andorra's Telecommunications Landscape
Andorra operates with a government-owned monopoly provider, Andorra Telecom (Servei de Telecomunicacions d'Andorra, STA), which serves as the sole operator for all fixed-line, mobile, internet, and pay television services. This centralized structure simplifies phone number formatting and ensures consistent service delivery across the principality. The system serves Andorra's population of approximately 83,000 residents (2025 mid-year estimate: 82,904; UN DESA World Population Prospects 2024 Revision via Worldometer) while accommodating millions of annual tourists.
In 2016, Andorra became one of the first countries to fully migrate its fixed telephony infrastructure to fiber optic technology, abandoning copper networks entirely.
Primary sources:
What is the Andorra Country Code?
Andorra uses the country code +376 for all international calls. This prefix was officially adopted on December 17, 1994, replacing the previous French (prefix 628) and Spanish (area code 9738) numbering systems. The +376 country code must be included when dialing Andorra from any international location.
When to Use the +376 Country Code
Always include the +376 prefix when:
Andorra Phone Number Format and Structure
Understanding the structure of Andorran phone numbers helps you handle them correctly in your systems. Andorra adheres to international standards, making integration straightforward.
How Do Andorran Phone Numbers Comply with International Standards?
Andorran phone numbers comply with ITU-T Recommendation E.164, the international standard for telephone numbering plans. This compliance ensures:
Primary source: ITU-T Recommendation E.164, "The international public telecommunication numbering plan" (https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-E.164/en)
What is the Core Structure of Andorra Phone Numbers?
Every Andorran phone number contains these key elements:
International Format (+376): This prefix is mandatory for calls from outside Andorra. The country code +376 was adopted on December 17, 1994. Always store numbers in this format.
National Numbers (variable length): Phone numbers in Andorra vary by service type, as defined in the ITU national numbering plan (Communication of 21.II.2025):
Primary source: ITU Communication of 21.II.2025, Andorra Telecom S.A.U. (https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-t/oth/02/02/T02020000050003PDFE.pdf)
Andorra Phone Number Types and Formats
[78]XXXXX
787895
3XXXXX
312345
6XX XXX
690 123
1800 XXXX
1800 1234
1802 XXXX
1802 5678
9XXXXX
912345
1XX
112
69X XXX XXX
690 123 456
Source: ITU-T national telephone numbering plan for Andorra, Communication of 21.II.2025, Andorra Telecom S.A.U.
How to Validate Andorra Phone Numbers
Validating both format and number range ensures data quality and prevents errors in your telecommunications applications. Proper phone number validation is essential for reliable SMS delivery and call routing.
Andorra Phone Number Validation Code Examples
Here's how to validate Andorra mobile and fixed-line numbers in JavaScript:
Provide helpful error messages to guide users toward correct input formats.
Best Practices: How to Store Andorra Phone Numbers
Store phone numbers in the international E.164 format (+376XXXXXXXX). Standard mobile and fixed-line numbers are 6 digits, while M2M/IoT services use 9 digits. Remove spaces, hyphens, or other special characters before storing. This ensures:
Related Resources:
Best Practices for Displaying Phone Numbers
Consider the user's location when displaying phone numbers. For local users, omit the country code. For international users, always display the full E.164 format. Maintain consistent formatting across your application.
Is Number Portability Available in Andorra?
As of 2025, mobile number portability is not implemented in Andorra. Since Andorra Telecom operates as the sole telecommunications provider, number portability between competing carriers doesn't apply. Design your systems with portability in mind for future compatibility, especially if Andorra's telecommunications market opens to competition. ITU-T E.164 Supplement 2 (06/20) provides the international framework for number portability implementation.
Andorra SMS Messaging: Regulatory Framework and Compliance
Andorra Telecom serves as both the primary operator and regulatory authority. This integrated approach streamlines service delivery and ensures compliance with international standards.
Regulatory Structure and Oversight
Andorra Telecom, a government-owned entity, handles both regulatory oversight and service provision. This includes establishing and enforcing telecommunications standards, delivering services, and ensuring technical compliance with international standards.
The Andorran Data Protection Agency (APDA) oversees data protection and privacy compliance for telecommunications services under Law 29/2021 (Personal Data Protection Law), which entered into force on May 17, 2022. Andorra's data protection framework aligns closely with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), requiring businesses to implement proper consent management, data handling procedures, and user privacy protections.
APDA Enforcement Powers: The APDA maintains authority to issue warnings, conduct inspections, investigate violations, and levy financial penalties:
Primary source: Law 29/2021, Andorran Data Protection Agency (https://www.apda.ad/en)
Compliance Framework
The regulatory framework rests on three pillars: international standards alignment (including E.164), service quality requirements, and consumer protection measures. Familiarize yourself with these aspects to ensure your applications comply with Andorran regulations.
How to Send SMS Messages to Andorra
Integrate SMS functionality by understanding specific technical requirements: message length limits, supported character sets, and delivery reporting mechanisms.
SMS Technical Requirements for Andorra
Standard SMS messages are limited to 160 characters using GSM-7 encoding. Andorra Telecom supports both GSM-7 and UCS-2 character sets. UCS-2 encoding reduces message length to 70 characters for messages containing special characters, emojis, or non-Latin scripts. Ensure your application handles character encoding correctly to avoid message corruption. Delivery receipts are supported, allowing you to track message status and handle delivery failures.
Important limitations:
Andorra has full one-way SMS reach to all mobile operators. Content restrictions apply:
Related: For SMS pricing information, see our Andorra SMS pricing guide.
SMS Consent Management Requirements for Andorra
Given Andorra Telecom's dual role as operator and regulator, adhere to their data protection requirements under APDA oversight. Implement robust consent management mechanisms to ensure you have explicit permission before sending marketing or other non-essential messages.
Mandatory opt-out language support: Your SMS system must support opt-out commands in three languages with acknowledgment within 24 hours:
Use automated systems to process these commands immediately and maintain comprehensive opt-out records:
Advanced Implementation Best Practices
System Architecture for Phone Number Handling
Use a modular architecture. Separate validation, routing, and compliance components for better maintainability and scalability. This allows you to update and modify individual components without affecting the entire system.
Portability Management
Implement a robust portability checking system. Real-time verification is ideal, but you can also maintain a local cache of ported numbers synchronized regularly with Andorra Telecom. Log all portability changes for audit purposes.
Integration Testing Guidelines
Test all number formats, international formatting, and special number handling. For SMS integration, verify message delivery, character encoding handling, and MMS conversion scenarios. Test portability scenarios, including port-in and port-out processing, and status update verification.
Frequently Asked Questions About Andorra Phone Numbers
What is the Andorra phone number format?
Andorran phone numbers vary by type. Fixed-line numbers are 6 digits starting with 7 or 8. Mobile numbers are 6 digits starting with either 3 (format: 3XXXXX) or 6 (format: 6XX XXX). M2M/IoT services use 9-digit numbers (format: 69X XXX XXX). When dialing internationally, add the country code +376 before the local number.
How do I dial an Andorra number from abroad?
To call Andorra from another country, dial your international access code (e.g., 00 or 011), followed by 376 (Andorra's country code), then the local number. Examples: 00-376-312345 (6-digit mobile 3-series), 00-376-690123 (6-digit mobile 6-series), 00-376-690123456 (9-digit M2M/IoT).
What character encoding should I use for SMS to Andorra?
Use GSM-7 encoding for standard 160-character SMS messages. Andorra Telecom also supports UCS-2 encoding for messages containing special characters, emojis, or non-Latin scripts, though this reduces the message length to 70 characters.
Can I send two-way SMS messages to Andorra?
No, as of 2025, only one-way SMS messaging is supported through standard commercial channels in Andorra. You can send messages to Andorran mobile numbers, but cannot receive replies through the same channel. MMS content is converted to SMS with a link to view the multimedia content.
Is mobile number portability available in Andorra?
Mobile number portability is not currently implemented in Andorra. Since Andorra Telecom operates as the sole telecommunications provider, users cannot switch carriers while keeping their existing phone number.
What is the emergency number in Andorra?
The primary emergency number in Andorra is 112, which connects to emergency services. This 3-digit number is always accessible and free to call from any phone.
How do I validate Andorra phone numbers in my application?
Use regular expressions to validate Andorra phone numbers based on their format: mobile 3-series (6 digits starting with 3), mobile 6-series (6 digits starting with 6), or fixed-line (6 digits starting with 7 or 8). Always store numbers in E.164 format (+376XXXXXXXX) for consistency. See our validation code examples above.
What are Andorra's SMS compliance requirements?
Andorra requires businesses to support opt-out commands in three languages (Catalan, French, and Spanish) with acknowledgment within 24 hours. All marketing messages require explicit opt-in consent. Andorra's data protection framework aligns with EU standards under APDA oversight. See our complete SMS consent management requirements section above.
Conclusion
This guide equips you with the essential knowledge to work with Andorran phone numbers, from validation and storage to SMS integration and regulatory compliance. Follow these best practices and stay informed about regulatory updates to ensure your applications are compliant, efficient, and user-friendly. Prioritize data privacy and user consent, especially given Andorra Telecom's integrated role as both operator and regulator.
Ready to implement SMS messaging? Explore our Andorra SMS guide for detailed integration instructions and pricing information).