The Government updates the code of conduct and ethics for public personnel

The Government of Andorra approved on October 7, 2026, the new Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics for the General Administration, which updates the text in force since 2010. The provision is published in the Official Bulletin of the Principality of Andorra (BOPA) no. 116, of October 14, 2026, under the Other provisions section, and is binding for civil servants, interim public employees, and personnel with a special relationship with the General Administration.

The text was approved upon the proposal of the Minister of Public Service and Digital Transformation and was signed by the Head of Government, Xavier Espot Zamora, in Andorra la Vella on October 7, 2026. It consists of six chapters and eighteen articles and has a preventive, educational, and guiding purpose, without prejudice to the corresponding disciplinary or criminal regime.

The statement of reasons justifies the revision due to the evolution of the regulatory framework, particularly following Law 29/2022, of July 21, amending Law 1/2019, of January 17, on the public service, and the Principality’s international commitments. The text recalls that Andorra joined GRECO (Group of States against Corruption) of the Council of Europe at the beginning of 2005 and also mentions the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund as reference frameworks. According to the same statement, the 2010 Code was intended to be a collection of existing rules and a development of poorly defined guidelines.

The Government session on October 7 also approved other public service regulations upon the proposal of the same ministry: Decree 396/2026, regarding the Regulations of the Personnel Registry of the General Administration; Decree 397/2026, regarding the Regulations of the Dialogue, Conciliation, and Consensual Conflict Resolution Service; and Decree 398/2026, amending the regulations for the evaluation of accompaniment (AvAc).

Ten ethical principles and rules of conduct

Article 3 establishes ten fundamental ethical principles that must govern the actions of the obligated subjects:

• Effectiveness and efficiency.
• Equity and equal opportunities.
• Objectivity and impartiality.
• Transparency, with access to public information and traceability of decisions.
• Quality of service.
• Commitment to the general interest.
• Professionalism and responsibility.
• Probity and respect.
• Integrity and honesty.
• Transversality and collaboration between areas, departments, and institutions.

Articles 4 to 7 specify the duties: exercising functions with loyalty and technical objectivity, treating citizens with equity and proximity, not granting preferential treatment, preserving materials and equipment and not using them for private purposes, complying with schedules, and attending meetings. Article 9 details the obligations of commanders, such as leading by example, guaranteeing a respectful work environment, and correctly transmitting instructions. The Code also applies to special bodies that do not have their own code of conduct or ethics.

Professional image, gifts and conflicts of interest

Article 8 requires a neat, formal personal image consistent with institutional dignity and prohibits during service:

• Sportswear or similar, including tracksuits and technical garments.
• Leisure wear that does not fit professional presentation standards.
• Garments that, due to shape, transparency, fit, cut, or length, are inappropriate for an administrative or public service environment.
• Elements that cover the head or face, with one exception: the head of the Department of Public Function may authorize their use for duly justified medical reasons.

Regarding integrity, Article 14 prohibits requesting or accepting gifts, favors, or invitations that could compromise impartiality, with two exceptions: protocol or traditional gifts of up to 150 euros and gifts for official holidays and celebrations. If a gift cannot be refused or returned, the hierarchical superior must be informed in writing and, in case of doubt, the prevention and fight against corruption unit of the Ministry of the Interior should be consulted. Articles 12 and 13 mandate the communication of conflicts of interest and remind that active civil servants and interim staff cannot engage in other professional activities.

Disciplinary regime, dissemination and review

Article 16 establishes that non-compliance with the Code may lead to disciplinary, administrative, or criminal liability. The applicable regime is:

• The Public Function Law for civil servants and interim public workers.
• The Public Function Law or the Labor Relations Law, as appropriate, for personnel with a special relationship.
• Specific regulations for the special bodies of the Public Administration.

Liability extends to those who consent to, cover up, or induce conduct contrary to the Code, and the Public Function dialogue service may be contacted to attempt to resolve the situation. Article 17 orders the publication of the Code in the BOPA and its dissemination through the internal channels of the general Administration, and Article 18 provides for the review of its provisions whenever deemed necessary.

The new Code arrives with the vocation of establishing a common standard of integrity for all personnel of the general Administration and of responding to Andorra’s international commitments regarding anti-corruption. For public employees, it entails concrete duties regarding image, gifts, conflicts of interest, and confidentiality; for citizens, a more explicit framework of transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

Source: Official Bulletin of the Principality of Andorra, no. 116, October 14, 2026, section 03. Government – Other provisions, pp. 1-6 (official reference: Code of conduct and professional ethics for the general Administration, of 7-10-2026).