Short answer
No law in Andorra makes ski insurance compulsory. The Govern can, however, bill a rescue caused by imprudence or by a risky recreational activity, and skiing and hiking are on that list. The official price of a twin-engine helicopter is 6,394.38 euros an hour. Resorts sell their own insurance with the ski pass, with exclusions such as closed slopes.
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Key facts
- If a rescue was caused by carelessness or a risky leisure activity, the Govern can send the bill
- Source: Llei 7/2017, art. 11 bis, in the wording of Llei 4/2022
- A twin-engine helicopter costs 6,394.38 € an hour, a single-engine one 3,436.43 €
- Source: Decret 533/2023
- Ordino Arcalís sells season insurance for 66 € with the Nord Pass and Andorra Pass 2026/27
- Source: Ordino Arcalís
- An emergency at a ski resort medical centre counts as via preferent for CASS members
- Source: CASS
Can a rescue be billed?
Yes. Article 11 bis of Llei 7/2017, added by Llei 4/2022, lets the Govern claim the cost of a rescue caused by imprudence or by a risky recreational activity. Skiing and hiking are included. The person rescued, their legal representative and their insurer are jointly liable. The claim goes through the civil courts, must be brought within 3 years, is shared out when several people are rescued, and can be directed at a club or federation if it was negligent.
In November 2023 the newspaper Altaveu reported that only non-urgent rescues are billed. That is press coverage, not the text of the law, so don't count on it.
What a rescue costs
| Resource | Price per hour |
|---|---|
| Twin-engine helicopter | 6,394.38 € |
| Single-engine helicopter | 3,436.43 € |
| Firefighter | 28.60 € |
| Sub-officer | 32.87 € |
| Specialist | 33.42 € |
| Officer | 43.07 € |
| Light vehicle | 50.00 € |
| Truck | 105.05 € |
Prices from Decret 533/2023, updated every year in line with the CPI.
The resorts' own insurance
- Ordino Arcalís sells season insurance for 66 € with the Nord Pass and the Andorra Pass 2026/27. It can only be added when you buy the pass.
- Grandvalira's conditions for 2023/24 excluded closed slopes, skiing outside opening hours and professional use, and cover ended once you were home.
- The insurance can't be added to the Mountain Pass or to pedestrian passes.
Read the conditions of the current season before you buy.
If you contribute to the CASS
An emergency treated at a ski resort's medical centre counts as via preferent, so the CASS refunds at its higher rates. The rescue itself is a separate bill. See the CASS explained.
If you are visiting
Neither the EHIC nor the UK GHIC is valid in Andorra. Travel insurance that covers skiing and mountain rescue is the safer option. See the EHIC in Andorra and what a travel policy for Andorra should say.
After an accident
Some insurers require you to go to the resort's medical centre first. CASS members use form CASS-0159 for accidents. Keep every receipt and report.
Frequently asked questions
Is ski insurance compulsory in Andorra?
No. No law requires it.
Will I pay for a mountain rescue in Andorra?
You may. The Govern can bill a rescue caused by imprudence or a risky recreational activity, and skiing and hiking are on that list.
How much does a helicopter rescue cost?
The official price of a twin-engine helicopter is 6,394.38 € an hour, a single-engine one 3,436.43 €, plus crew.
Does the resort insurance cover everything?
No. Past conditions excluded closed slopes, skiing outside opening hours and professional use.
Does my EHIC cover skiing in Andorra?
No. Neither the EHIC nor the GHIC is valid in Andorra.
Sources
- Decret 533/2023: public prices of the fire service, Portal Jurídic
- Llei 4/2022, current wording of art. 11 bis of Llei 7/2017, Portal Jurídic
- CASS: via preferent
- Ordino Arcalís (resort): Nord Pass 2026/27
- Grandvalira (resort): ski insurance conditions 2023/2024
- Creand Vida (insurer): ski accident insurance
How we checked this guide
We checked every figure against the official sources listed at the end and reviewed this page on 14 October 2026. Seguros Andorra is not an insurance intermediary: we explain how insurance works, we do not sell it. If something has changed, let us know. Our method is described on how we work (in Spanish).
Keep reading
- EHIC in AndorraWhy the EHIC and GHIC don't work in Andorra and what to use instead.
- Travel insuranceTravel insurance for Andorra, agreement forms and winter sports cover.
- The CASS explainedRefund rates of the CASS in Andorra, who is covered and when cover starts.
- Health insuranceHow the CASS and private health insurance fit together in Andorra.
- Car insuranceCompulsory car insurance in Andorra, foreign plates and the green card.
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