Algeria's Central Bank Revalues Tourist Allowance, Sparking Debate
The Bank of Algeria has recently revalued the tourist allowance, increasing the limit to €750 for adults and €300 for minors, with the aim of facilitating legal access to foreign currency for Algerian travelers. While this measure has been welcomed by many, it has also sparked criticism, particularly due to the condition requiring a minimum stay of 7 days abroad.
The Contested 7-Day Condition
This allowance, now governed by the Bank of Algeria's instruction n° 05-2025, allows citizens to legally obtain foreign currency at the official rate for their trips abroad. For adults, the annual limit is €750, while adolescents between 12 and 18 years old can benefit from €300, with a maximum of two children per family. The objective is clear: to limit the use of the black market for currency exchange, which is often expensive and risky.
Travel agencies and tourism professionals see this revaluation as a significant relief, enabling them to plan a trip abroad with financial security. However, this measure is not without controversy. To benefit from the allowance, the trip must last at least 7 days, otherwise, the traveler must return the entire amount of foreign currency received. This requirement has sparked outrage from the consumer protection association Himayatec, which considers it unfair and inequitable.
According to the association, this condition penalizes those who travel for urgent reasons, such as medical care, occasional professional obligations, or family visits. Himayatec is calling for the immediate withdrawal of this requirement, estimating that the allowance should remain a right accessible to all, without discrimination related to the duration of the stay.
Possible Adjustment Ahead?
To date, the 7-day condition remains in effect, and no modifications have been announced by the Bank of Algeria. However, public and media pressure could push the authorities to re-examine the measure, particularly to provide exceptions for urgent cases or short trips. For now, travelers must comply with this rule, under penalty of financial or administrative sanctions.
Despite the controversy, the tourist allowance represents a significant step towards legal and secure access to foreign currency, which is a real advantage for many Algerians. However, for this measure to be fully perceived as fair and adapted to the reality of travelers, adjustments or exceptions to the current strict conditions will likely be necessary.
In this regard, the €750 tourist allowance is a step forward for Algerian travelers, but the condition of a minimum 7-day stay remains a source of tension. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the Bank of Algeria will yield to calls for modification or maintain the current framework.
