Algeria Now

Algeria mandates international cards for tourist travel allowance

· Source: Algeria Now

Algeria has transitioned its annual tourist travel allowance from cash disbursements to a mandatory international payment card system, effective 19 July 2026. The Council of Ministers, chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, adopted this provisional measure on 12 July 2026, citing severe currency outflows as the primary justification for the change.

The central bank, the Bank of Algeria, formalised the new procedure through Instruction No. 07-2026, issued on 13 July 2026. This directive abrogated the previous July 2025 instruction that permitted cash withdrawals. Although the Ministry of Finance denied rumours of the scheme's cancellation in August, the card-based mechanism remains the exclusive method for accessing the allowance.

Adult travellers aged 19 and older are entitled to an annual allowance of 750 euros, while individuals aged 12 to 18 can receive 300 euros, limited to two children per family. Children under 12 are not eligible. The benefit is granted once per civil year, does not accumulate, and requires a minimum foreign stay of seven days. Trips undertaken for the Hajj pilgrimage are explicitly excluded from this scheme.

Applicants must hold both a dinar-denominated account and a foreign currency account at the issuing bank, with the card linked strictly to the currency account. The card is strictly nominative, valid for at least three years, and may be issued before the specific allowance request is made. Existing Visa or Mastercard holders may retain their cards, provided each adult beneficiary possesses an individual card, while parents may receive the allowance for minor children on their own cards.

Banks are required to record the allocated amount, currency, and date on the beneficiary's passport and declare the transaction on the Bank of Algeria's platform. The funds are designated for the exclusive use of the traveller. Additionally, financial institutions must provide 24/7 customer assistance via call centres and digital channels to address incidents in near real-time, prompting travellers to note these contact details before departure.

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