Arinsal Andorra

FINDING WORK IN ARINSAL

This report may help someone thinking of coming to Arinsal to work for the winter season. Andorra is not in the E.U. and can change the rules at short notice. So if anything I say is incorrect, I hope that someone will corrects it for me and post it on the Forum.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE LEAVING THE U.K.

Firstly, and very importantly, you should apply to your local police for a Police Report under the Data Protection Act (often called 'Subject Access'). September is usually about the right time to apply. It can take up to 40 days for your Police Report to be delivered. Then it must be authenticated at the Legalisation Office.

The office moved from the Old Admiralty Building on The Mall, London to new offices in Milton Keynes on 8th Aug 2008. The new address is: Norfolk House West, 437 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 2AH. (Visit their website for more information). The report must not be over three months old when you present it to immigration in Andorra.

Secondly, you may wish to contact a prospective employer, although they may wish to meet and interview you before making a firm offer of work. Here is a list of some bars that have employed non bilingual staff in the past; Quo Vadis, El Cau, El Derbi and Ciscos, plus The Hotels Sant Andreu and Miclolau. There are others but I think that they want staff who can speak Spanish.

Thirdly, get travel insurance. Andorra is not in the E.U. so your E111 does not apply. You will be covered by CASS (Social Security) when working but unlike the U.K, you will be covered only after you have made enough contributions.

GETTING TO ANDORRA

Fly to Barcelona or Toulouse then catch the bus. (See elsewhere on this site for bus times to Andorra). If you book in advance, the bus will take you to Arinsal for a few Euros more. Otherwise, it will drop you at the bus station in Andorra la Vella, then taxi to your destination. This may be cheaper if there is more than one person.

WHERE TO STAY

You may want to spend your first few nights in a hotel while you sort things out. Some hotels do a very cheap room rate for workers BEFORE the season starts. It might be worth trying the Poblado or Micolau in Arinsal or the Palarine in Erts, there may be others. However, when the season starts the price will return to tourist rates. Most people share a flat. A one bed flat will cost about 600 euros a month. But an agent will want one month’s rent as commission, one month’s rent deposit and one month’s rent in advance. Bear in mind that January’s rent will be due before your first pay packet. Some bars offer accommodation to staff. Or you may meet someone who has rented a flat and wants lodgers to help with the rent.

GETTING A WORK PERMIT

Assuming that you have found a job, your employer must obtain a work permit for you BEFORE you start work, or he will be heavily fined. They will help you complete a file that must contain the following:

• Your police report with the FCO stamp attached.
• A letter from your landlord or hotelier certifying that you have accommodation.
• If married, your marriage certificate, if you are single, you just sign a form.
• Your Andorran bank account details and your CASS (social security) number. Your employer will explain where to obtain these.
• Your C.V. non EU workers must show written proof that they have 2 years experience in the work that they have applied for.( New rule last year)
• Your passport

You will take this to immigration in Andorra la Vella.. You will be told to return the next day. On your return you will be told a day and time for you to attend hospital to give a blood sample. The hospital will tell you when the results will be ready and give you a day and time to see the doctor with the results. After the medical you will be told to return to immigration, usually the next day to pick up your green card. (work permit). You are now street legal. Hooray!

It sounds awesome but once the ball starts rolling it will fall into place, so do not be put off by it. We have all been there. The whole process will take more than a week but should be less than two. You will have a fabulous time for the rest of the season.

A FEW TIPS

Arrive as early as you can afford to. This will give you a better chance of finding work and good accommodation. The British tourists will arrive on the 21st December and you will be very fortunate if you do any work before that date. The 6,7&8th December will be very crowded with Spanish and you may be put out of your hotel.

Last year the national minimum wage was about 870 Euros per month, less 5% which will be deducted for your CASS contributions. I do not think that you will be paid much more.

The resort usually opens the first week in December. You can get a discounted lift pass once you get a work permit. So until you do, there will be no skiing or snowboarding, unless you pay full price for your pass.

Last year they wanted to see an air ticket back to your country of birth for NON E.U. Aussie Dave was most unhappy having to spend two months stake money on a plane ticket back to Oz. (New rule last year)

I hope that some of this is of assistance and does not put anyone off coming to Arinsal. It really is a great resort. I look forward to having a chat and drink with you when you arrive. Don’t forget the high altitude sun cream

The resort closed at 5pm today, so another season is finally over. The weather and skiing has been great for the last three days after several days of light snow during the first part of the week.

The instructor’s end of season party was poorly attended due to some being on courses and others had left to do whatever instructors do in the summer. Our table consisted of 6 very lively people. Some residents came for the banquet and some friends came for the dancing and drinks. So overall there was a good attendance.

There was plenty of dancing and everyone joined in, except Jan the Swede, who fell asleep sometime after the dessert. Some of the guests sang duets with Trevor, our live musician. The hotel management considered that one of the instructors, who deliberately left his car at home, was unfit to walk and gave him a bed for the night. After the last instructor had left there was an unfortunate incident. A couple who had enjoyed themselves then had a domestic row. The management tried to call the police to diffuse the situation. However he dialled 110 (the correct number for the police) but failed to get an outside line, so he connected with room 110. He asked a very tired and puzzled young lady to come to the Palarine to deal with a disturbance. Eventually the real police arrived and the lady booked into the hotel and the gentleman left in a “taxi” with flashing blue lights.

We have had some great parties in the Palarine this season, New Year’s Eve, Burns’ night, St Patrick’s day and a really great Chinese New Year. All were very lively indeed but I think that I might have to look for another venue for next season instructor’s party. This year’ one was just too eventful.

I hope all of you have had a great winter and that I may see some of you next year. I will write a report as soon as I have some information on next season.

Bye

THE END IS NIGH

I have just finished with my last group of the season. I had a beginners group consisting of 9 very jolly ladies plus the husband of one of them. We all had a very merry time, sometimes meeting in the RED X to watch the video of the days skiing and laugh at the antics of the group. Thank you ANNA, for being a great sport and providing some great footage. There are no British groups in the resort next week, only a few independent travellers taking advantage of the cheap deals on offer and the late snow.

As there will be very little work next week, I am going to Soldeu to do an instructor’s course with the CSIA (Canadian Instructors). My next report may be my last for some time as I do not think that I will have much to say about ARINSAL, whilst in Hampshire. I might try if I can only get some inspiration. The sun is shining and the snow has been good, in spite of a very windy day on Tuesday.

WHEN IS GOING TO STOP SNOWING?

After being asked when is going to snow for the last few weeks, we finally had some snow. A few flurries on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Monday it was snowing heavily. Corinne picked me up in her four wheel drive and complained about the state of the traffic due to the large fall of snow. I asked her when the first skier would ask “When is it going to stop snowing? “ The answer was 3pm going up on the six seater chair, by one of the new arrivals. We have had snow on and off all week. Friday was very warm so perhaps that is the end of this weather system. We now have enough snow to last until the end of the season. Anyone thinking about a late holiday on very quiet slopes should check with the hotels as there are great deals being offered.. For instance the PALARINE is offering Dinner bed and breakfast for 20 euros per person per night.

SMOKERS

Arinsal, Andorra is a great place for smokers. I noticed in the supermarkets, that several well known brands cost about 20 euros for 200 cigarettes. If you do not smoke for pleasure but merely to feed your addiction, consider some of the local brands. They are about half that price. Just think of the damage 400 smokes can cause for about 20 euros! Just remember that we are NOT in the EU, so you are only allowed to take 200 cigarettes back with you. Andorra has not caught up with mainstream Europe yet. They still allow smoking in bars but I have noticed this season, several polite Irish and English smokers going outside to smoke. HOTEL PALARINE bans smoking in the dining room but permits it in the bar.. Andorra usually catches up with the rest of Europe, in its own time. For example women have had the vote since 1970 and in 2005 Andorra admitted 6 asylum seekers. Some may consider both of those developments as retrograde steps. I do not think this is the right place to debate these matters.

Now for the serious stuff, when I left the mountain this afternoon, it had just started to SNOW.