Abuse of New Tourist Allowance in Algeria
Since the introduction of the new tourist allowance of 750€, adopted by instruction N° 05-2025 on July 17, 2025, signed by the governor of the Bank of Algeria, warning signs have been raised regarding diverted practices aimed at legally exploiting this exchange right for parasitic financial activities. This allowance is intended to cover personal travel expenses abroad and is granted only once a year to each resident citizen.
Regulation and Sanctions
The regulation clearly states that the exchange right is strictly personal, intended to be used by the actual beneficiary during a stay abroad of at least seven days. Any attempt to transfer, assign, or divert is prohibited and punishable by sanctions, including criminal penalties.
Speculative Practices
However, instead of encouraging sustainable and legitimate tourism, some practices market this scheme as a speculative opportunity. In fact, according to several sources, to circumvent this rule, some intermediaries organize trips to Tunisia, recruiting mainly young unemployed individuals. They sometimes advance passport fees and recover the passports to submit exchange applications. Participants receive the 750€ at the border, stay near the border to minimize expenses, and then resell the remaining amount on the black market, where the rate is almost twice as advantageous as at the bank.
Authorities' Response
Faced with the scope of these practices, the authorities have begun to tighten controls:
- Since December 7, 2025, buses transporting tourists to Tunisia must have an international transport permit rather than just a simple tourist license. This measure aims to reduce abuses related to organized trips for the allowance.
- Bus blockages at borders have been observed, a direct consequence of this new system.
