VISA

Most nationalities are required to have a valid visa in their passport before arriving at the customs.
You may receive an application form from your closest Algerian consulate or embassy, or download it.
In order to get your visa you must send your passport together with the required fee and stamps for them to
return your passport to you. You must also have some kind of an invitation letter from an Algerian
business, private person or a hotel reservation.
Visas are frequently denied if they have doubts about the intentions of your visit. It is therefore advisable to
apply early and buy airplane tickets after receiving the visa.

TRAVEL

More and more airlines are now flying to Algeria, including Lufthansa, British Airways, Aigle Azur and
Alitalia. Most frequent and all domestic flights are handled by Air Algerie. However, not all travel agencies
are able to sell their tickets abroad.
You may also take a ferry from Marseille or Alicante or travel easily by road from Tunisia. The border with
Morocco is closed. Within the country it is advisable to either fly or take the train.

ENTERING THE COUNTRY

You must fill in a form indicating your place of residency during your visit. You are also supposed to fill in
a declaration of any foreign currency or valuables brought into the country. This is to confirm that you are
not planning to sell money or items on the black market.

EXHANGING MONEY

Local banks are open Sunday-Thursday in Algeria. Euros or dollars are the preferred currencies to handle.
Very few banks and almost no shops or restaurants have the abilities to make visa-withdrawals.
Giving tips is not a must, but a 10 or 20 dinar coin is normally sufficient if you wish to.
Understanding the Algerian money system is difficult. 1 Euro is appr. 100 dinars. Most people do not say
“cent (100) dinars but “dix (10) milles”. 1000 dinars is then spelled “cent milles” and etc.

COMMUNICATION

It is easy to call locally and internationally using one of the many “taxiphones” where you pay after your
call. Another option is buying a sim-card for as low as 200 dinars (2 euros) to use in your cellphone.

THEFT

Pick-pocketing and theft is a problem in some parts of Algeria, whereby it is advisable not to walk around
displaying money, cameras and other expensive items.

SECURITY

In most parts of the country it is not dangerous to move around as a civil foreigner, and one may feel safe
and cared for by the locals. However, it is wise to stay away from traveling at night, and be more careful
while moving in remote mountainous or southern areas of the country, where terrorists still might be active.

CONNIMPEX is specializing in serving internationals doing business in North Africa.
Contact us for more information about available documents and services, including:
- Detailed information on visiting, working and residing in Algeria
- How to start a business in Algeria.