The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced an exceptional and derogatory measure allowing Algerian nationals with a valid foreign passport to enter and exit the country without obtaining a prior visa. This measure, which was initially set to expire, has been extended until December 31, 2026. The decision was made in accordance with instructions from the President of the Republic. This facilitation applies to Algerian binationals who hold a valid foreign passport.
To benefit from this measure, binationals must present a valid foreign passport, along with an expired Algerian biometric passport and/or an expired Algerian biometric national identity card. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that the documents presented upon exit must be the same as those used for entry. For example, if a traveler enters with a foreign passport and an expired Algerian national identity card, they must also exit with these same documents.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has outlined three specific cases for entry into Algeria. The first case concerns adults who are binationals and must present a valid foreign passport, an expired Algerian biometric passport, and/or an expired Algerian biometric national identity card. The second case concerns children under 15 years old who have a valid foreign passport but no Algerian identity documents and are traveling with their parents or guardians.
In the case of children under 15, they can access the national territory without a visa until December 31, 2026, upon presentation of documents establishing their family relationship, such as a family booklet, birth extract, or family record. Additionally, documents attesting to the guardian's status, such as a kafala or a court judgment, may also be required.
The third case concerns individuals with different names on their foreign passport and Algerian documents. In such cases, the Ministry recommends carrying an individuality certificate for minor spelling errors or court decisions for substantial differences, such as a completely different name.
The Algerian government has also provided information on the renewal of passports and national identity cards. The renewal process can be done remotely, and a pilot phase has been launched at the Algerian consulate in Paris. Additionally, the consulate in Nantes requires an online appointment for passport and biometric identity card applications.
The costs of renewing an Algerian passport abroad vary depending on the procedure and the type of passport. For a standard procedure, the equivalent of 40 euros is required for a 28-page passport, while for an expedited procedure, it costs around 167 euros. The Algerian government has set a fixed exchange rate of 150 dinars per euro for 2026.
Key points
- Algerian binationals can enter Algeria with an expired passport and national ID card until December 2026 with a valid foreign passport.
- The Algerian government has outlined three specific cases for entry into Algeria, including adults, children under 15, and individuals with different names on their documents.
- The renewal process for passports and national identity cards can be done remotely, and costs vary depending on the procedure and type of passport.
