Practical Information for visiting Andorra

The currency is the euro, official under a monetary agreement with the EU in force since 2012, and the tourist board says bank branches and cash machines are available for withdrawals and exchange. Andorra is outside the EU's tax system, which is why the shops are cheaper and why France and Spain tax and can impound what you carry out beyond the personal-use limits. Card acceptance, tipping and the sales-tax rate are not summarised here until they have been read on an authority's page.

Canada advises normal security precautions, and both advisories call crime low and street crime rare, with the usual care against pickpockets and bag-snatchers. The British advisory adds one specific warning: drink spiking with GHB and similar drugs has occurred, so buy your own drinks and keep them in sight.

The mountains are the risk. Trails are not always marked, weather changes rapidly even in summer, heavy snow closes roads, and avalanches can be fatal; never go alone, stay on marked trails and slopes, insure for helicopter rescue and medical evacuation, and check avalanche warnings before skiing. The narrow winding mountain roads are risky year-round.

Drugs: zero tolerance, with refusal of entry, expulsion, fines and prison for even the smallest amount. There is no recent history of terrorism, though attacks cannot be ruled out.

The medical emergency number is 116 -- dial it and ask for an ambulance -- or 112 for any emergency. The advisories name one specific risk: altitude sickness in parts of the country, whose symptoms can be fatal and should be known before setting out for the high trails. Mountain insurance must cover helicopter rescue and medical evacuation. Healthcare standards, pharmacies and tap water are not summarised here because no authority page opened for this page spoke to them.

Drugs: zero tolerance; possession of even the smallest amount can mean refusal of entry, expulsion, fines and prison. Alcohol: drinking in the street is illegal. Registration: hotels and tourist apartments must register every guest's passport details with the police. Customs: duty-free tobacco, alcohol and luxury goods are taxed on re-entering the EU, and French and Spanish officers can impound excess tobacco and the vehicle carrying it.

On the road: reflective jacket, spare tyre, spare bulbs and tools, spare glasses if worn, on-the-spot fines; an International Driving Permit is advised. In the mountains: stay on marked trails and slopes and obey avalanche warnings.

Manners are Catalan and quiet: greet in Catalan, queue, and do not treat the country as a shop. Tipping, photography and drone rules are not summarised here until they have been read on an authority's page.

Emergency numbers: 112 for all emergencies; police 110; medical emergencies and ambulance 116; fire 118.

Mountain rescue is by helicopter and must be insured. Consular: there is no Canadian government office in Andorra; the nearest missions are in Spain and France.

Natural hazards: landslides and avalanches; heavy snow closing the passes; frequent earthquakes below magnitude 2 with no damaging one on record.