Andorran influencers debate proposed Catalan-language residency requirement

On the Spicy4tuna podcast, a show produced by influencers who live in Andorra, YouTuber WillyRex questioned a proposed rule that would require residents to hold a Catalan language certificate or pass an exam when renewing their residency. Speaking with fellow creators, he said he did not understand why the obligation would apply to people like him and recalled his time in the United States: "I have been to the United States and no one forced me to speak English."

Other participants on the programme expressed more nuanced views. Lawyer Marc Urgell said he does not fully support imposing minimum language requirements by force, arguing from a liberal perspective that people should be free to speak what they choose. At the same time he acknowledged the aim of protecting Catalan against the dominance of Spanish, noting that if a country makes it easy to speak Spanish all the time, the local language can suffer.

Several contributors agreed that someone who moves to a new country should make a basic effort to adapt, which includes learning the local language. The debate on Spicy4tuna reflects wider discussion in Andorra about how to balance individual freedoms with cultural and linguistic preservation as authorities consider tighter language conditions linked to residency.