1278 Middle Ages
First paréage
The feudal act sharing sovereignty is still the country’s constitutional basis.
Andorra
Principality of Andorra
A co-principality jointly headed by a Catalan bishop and the President of the French Republic, Andorra is the last living vestige of Pyrenean feudalism.
Heritage
The paréages of 1278 and 1288, feudal acts settling a dispute between the Count of Foix and the Bishop of Urgell, remain the country's constitutional basis: probably the oldest institutional arrangement still in force in Europe.
History
Tradition attributes to Charlemagne the founding of the Andorran valleys in thanks for help against the Moors. The thirteenth-century paréages instituted the co-principality, whose holders are today the Bishop of Urgell and the French president.
Long poor and isolated, the principality lived from pastoralism and smuggling. The opening of roads and an advantageous tax regime transformed it after 1950 into a commercial and tourist destination.
The 1993 Constitution, approved by referendum, made Andorra a state under the rule of law with a sovereign parliament, while keeping the co-princes. The country is not a Union member but uses the euro under a monetary agreement and has been negotiating an association agreement with Brussels since 2015.
Milestones
1607 Early modern period
Co-principality confirmed
Henry IV rules that the king of France, later the head of state, will be co-prince.
1993 Contemporary period
Democratic constitution of Andorra
Andorra becomes a sovereign state under the rule of law and joins the UN the same year.
2011 European construction
Monetary agreement with the EU
The principality is authorised to mint its own euro coins.
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