Living in Algeria
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-24)

Information for British citizens moving to or living in Algeria, including guidance on visa, residency, healthcare and driving.

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Algeria. Read about how our British Embassy Algiers (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-algiers) can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Algerian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

The Support for British nationals abroad guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide) sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.

Read General Guidance (https://www.gov.uk/moving-or-retiring-abroad) on moving or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/moving-or-retiring-abroad).

To stay up to date, follow the British Embassy Algiers on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ukinalgeria/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/ukinalgeria).

Before you go

See our Algeria travel advice (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/algeria) for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

See guidance on doing business in Algeria (https://www.great.gov.uk/markets/algeria/).

Visas and residency

You must have a visa to be allowed to enter Algeria, check the Algeria entry-requirements (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/algeria/entry-requirements) on our travel advice.

Find how to apply for a visa to enter Algeria at the website of the Algerian Embassy in UK (http://www.algerianembassy.org.uk/). Once in Algeria, you may be able to extend your Algerian visa should you require staying longer than planned. To find out how to extend your Algerian visa, visit the website (https://www.interieur.gov.dz/index.php/fr/%C3%A9trangers-en-alg%C3%A9rie/prolongation-de-visa.html) of the Algerian ministry of interior affairs.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Algeria on the Overseas British passport applications (https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports) page on GOV.UK.

Healthcare in Algeria

There are no reciprocal healthcare agreements between the UK and Algeria. For more information on Health care in Algeria, visit Health in Algeria (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/algeria/health).

You must register for healthcare as a resident in Algeria. If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Algeria.

Please note that UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.

Medicine

If you are on a prescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Algeria. Certain medicines may not be available in Algeria (including major brands readily available in the UK). You may also be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Algeria to find out about any alternative medication.

Read Guidance if you need to take your medicine abroad. (https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/medicines/can-i-take-my-medicine-abroad/)

Mental healthcare in Algeria

Find out more about mental health and wellbeing abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mental-health-and-wellbeing-abroad) on GOV.UK.

Working in Algeria

If you are planning to move to Algeria for work, you will need a visa. Find out how to obtain an Algerian work visa (https://www.algerian-consulate.org.uk/visas/visa-to-algeria). To apply for an Algerian work visa, you may need to provide a copy of your employment contract or employment letter, a Temporary work permit issued by the Algerian authorities (the labour office of the Wilaya where you will be working) along with other supporting documents. More information can be found on the website of The Algerian Agency for Investment Promotion (https://aapi.dz/en/emploi-des-etrangers-en-algerie-en/).

Work and residency permits

Foreign Nationals are allowed to work in Algeria; you should have both residence and work permits. Visit the Algerian Ministry of Interior Affairs (https://www.interieur.gov.dz/index.php/fr/%C3%A9trangers-en-alg%C3%A9rie.html) for more information on this.

Send us an online enquiry to request a signed and stamped letter from the British Embassy Algiers (https://www.contact.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/written-enquiry/algeria/british-embassy-algeria?utm_source=algeria&utm_medium=notarial&utm_campaign=FCDO) to confirm the embassy no longer registers British nationals.

If you need advice, you can consult a lawyer. You can find a list of English-speaking lawyers in Algeria (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=Algeria).

Business in Algeria

Refer to the Department for Business & Trade exporting guide to Algeria (https://www.great.gov.uk/markets/algeria/).

Studying in Algeria

If you plan to study in Algeria, you must meet all the entry requirements (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/algeria/entry-requirements) before you travel.

Contact the relevant higher education (https://www.mesrs.dz/index.php/en/home/) provider in Algeria to check what conditions you have to fulfil and what fees you have to pay.

There are a few private schools in Algiers offering a British and American curriculum.

For detailed information on education in Algeria, visit the official website of the Algerian Ministry of Education (https://www.education.gov.dz/).

The British Council website (https://www.britishcouncil.org/search?search_api_views_fulltext=Algeria) on education also provides valuable information on the Algerian education system including higher education.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukalgeria-double-taxation-agreement) with Algeria so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. You should get professional advice on paying tax in Algeria. You can find a list of English-speaking lawyers in Algeria (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=Algeria).

Read more guidance on:
- tax and right to retire abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-right-retire-abroad-return-to-uk)
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-uk-income-live-abroad/taxed-twice)
- tax if you get a pension and you live abroad (https://www.gov.uk/tax-on-pension/tax-when-you-live-abroad)
- paying National insurance while abroad (https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-if-you-go-abroad) to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits

You can check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad (https://www.gov.uk/uk-benefits-abroad).

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Pensions

If you retire in Algeria, you can claim your UK state pension (https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad) or New UK state pension (https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension).

You can contact the International Pension Centre (https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre) for any further information.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ (https://www.gov.uk/state-pension-if-you-retire-abroad/report-a-change-in-your-circumstances) request from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible, your payments may be suspended if you do not do this.

Money and banking

Although Algeria is a cash-based society, there are several local Algerian and international banks operating throughout Algeria. Banks require that you have a valid residence permit in order to open an account. They usually require a minimum deposit of several thousand Algerian Dinars. Policies may vary from bank to bank.

Accommodation and buying property

If you are considering buying a property in Algeria, you will need to bear in mind that the legal system and steps to follow are very different from those you have experienced in the UK. Read more guidance for buying property abroad (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-buying-property-abroad).

Driving in Algeria

Read guidance on what actions you must take to drive legally in Algeria (https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad).

Note that if you are asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA).

Read about road travel and guidance for traveling safely (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/algeria/safety-and-security) for more information.

If you wish to take your vehicle with you, check taking vehicles out of UK (https://www.gov.uk/taking-vehicles-out-of-uk).

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Algeria for up to 3 months after you first arrive. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence (https://www.gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence) or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) (https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit).

You can apply to convert your UK driving licence to an Algerian one after living in Algeria for 12 months. To find out more on this process, visit the website of the Algerian Ministry of Interior (https://interieur.gov.dz/index.php/fr/mes-d%C3%A9marches-administratives/permis-de-conduire).

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and you live in Algeria, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority. Check more information on Government blue-badge-scheme (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/blue-badge-scheme).

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. Check if you are able to vote (https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/overseas-voters). You can also register as an oversees voter (https://www.gov.uk/voting-when-abroad).

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership

Births

If your child is born in Algeria, you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with UK authorities (https://www.gov.uk/register-a-birth).

If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for first child passport (https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport/first-child-passport).

Deaths

If someone dies in Algeria, the below resources that could be helpful:
- what to do if someone dies abroad (https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/death-abroad)
- bereavement guidance for Algeria (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-someone-dies-in-algeria)
- English-speaking funeral directors (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/funeral-directors)
Marriage and civil partnership

Find more information on how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad (https://www.gov.uk/marriage-abroad).

Pets

Read this guidance for information on how to take your pet abroad (https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad).

Emergencies

You can dial the Algerian Emergency Number 17 or 1548 for the police, 14 or 1021 for an ambulance or the fire department.

If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Algeria, read our guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rape-and-sexual-assault-in-algeria-information-for-victims) on rape and sexual assault in Algeria for more information. You may wish to speak to a lawyer. You can find a list of some English-speaking lawyers in Algeria (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find/lawyers?country=Algeria).

If you are the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Algiers (https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-algiers).

Read the guidance on International parental child abduction (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/international-parental-child-abduction) if you think your child might be at risk of parental abduction.

Returning to the UK

Read guidance on returning to the UK permanently (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/returning-to-the-uk) which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

The information contained in these notes is intended for your general guidance only. While care has been taken in compiling these notes, the accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed and, of course, law and procedures may change from time to time. For these reasons, neither His Majesty’s Government nor any member of the British consular staff can accept liability for any costs, damage or expenses, which you might incur as a result of relying on these notes.