Middle East and North Africa

Algeria

Still current at: 20 July 2008

Updated: 05 June 2008

Terrorism

The high threat from terrorism in Algeria remains. You should exercise extreme caution at all times as terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as restaurants, hotels and shopping centres.

We advise against all but essential travel to Algiers and the wilayas (administrative districts) of Bourmerdès, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou and Bejaia (east of Algiers) and Blida, Medéa, Tipasa, Chlef and Ain Defla (south and west of Algiers). Journeys within Algeria should be made by air where possible. If you intend to visit Algeria, you should check this advice regularly for the latest security advice.

If you intend to travel to Algeria in the immediate future you should review thoroughly information on the local situation, take full precautions for your personal security arrangements throughout your visit, and follow local advice.

If you are in Algeria, you should exercise extreme caution at all times.

There were two explosions reported in Bordj el Kiffan, in the suburbs of eastern Algiers on Wednesday 4 June. A suicide bomber who was targeting a Republican Guard barracks, is reported to have died along with at least one soldier and several people were injured. The second explosion was at a cafe close to the barracks.

There were two bombs in central Algiers on the morning of 11 December 2007. These occurred near the Supreme Court building in El Biar and at the offices of the UN agencies in Hydra. Over 30 people were killed and many more injured. The attacks were claimed by Al Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M), a name adopted by Algerian terrorist group the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) in January 2007)

  The other most significant recent incidents have been:

Foreign workers and their means of transport have also been targets for attacks.  In the last year there have been at least three roadside bomb attacks on vehicles carrying foreign workers, which have resulted in six deaths and several injuries.

The Sahara Desert and mountainous regions in the south of the country have not normally been subject to terrorist violence, but the abduction of a group of unaccompanied foreign tourists there in early 2003 underlined the potential risk to travellers in the region.  We therefore advise caution when travelling to the south eastern wilayas of Tamanrasset and Illizi and recommend that you travel with a reputable tour company or an approved local guide.

There is a risk of kidnap from terrorists operating in Algeria and throughout North Africa. You should be aware that the long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.

You should also exercise caution when travelling in the area close to the borders with Tunisia, Mauritania and Mali.  Incidents have shown that there is an increased risk of terrorist attacks, banditry and kidnapping in these areas. We are aware of press reporting on 10 March 2008, announcing that two Austrian tourists had been kidnapped in the south of Tunisia, close to the border with Algeria.

We recommend varying unavoidable travel, changing the timings and routes of regular journeys where possible. 

Crime

Most visits to Algeria are trouble-free.  In certain areas of larger cities there are incidents of robbery (muggings), bag snatching, pick-pocketing and thefts of and from motor vehicles.  There have been reports of car-jackings and robberies and thefts by criminals posing as police officers outside the main cities.  You should avoid areas that you do not know, especially after dark.  Do not carry large amounts of money or valuables around with you.

You should employ the services of a recommended local guide if you plan to tour the Casbah area of Algiers, and ensure local police have been informed of your plans. For more general advice see: Victims of Crime Abroad

Political Situation

Algeria Country Profile

You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety and avoid political gatherings and demonstrations.

LOCAL TRAVEL

If you are travelling to Algeria you should seek the advice of your hosts about appropriate security measures.  You should arrange to be met on arrival in Algiers and should stay at one of the main hotels that take proper security precautions.

You should, where possible, make journeys by air and stay in pre arranged accommodation at your destination.  Business visitors without established contacts should seek advice in the first instance from the British Embassy, Algiers or the Algeria desk in UK Trade and Investment.

Road Travel

If you want to drive a car you will need to obtain a local permit.  You should not use public transport other than taxis recommended by your hotel.  Overland travel outside major cities should be avoided at night, as buses and other vehicles have been attacked, sometimes at illegal vehicle checkpoints.


Air Travel

It is good practice to re-confirm flights to, from or within Algeria.

Local laws reflect the fact that Algeria is a Muslim country.  You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

 

The weekend is Thursday and Friday.  There are no restrictions on alcohol in restaurants, or in urban areas generally.  In rural areas, women would be expected to dress conservatively.
 

Possession, use and trafficking of controlled drugs are all serious criminal offences in Algeria, which carry custodial sentences.

 

You are not required to carry your passport at all times.  But you should take it with you if you are making a longer journey.  You should keep a photocopy of it somewhere safe.

 

Homosexuality is illegal in Algeria.  Sexual acts between persons of the same sex are punishable by imprisonment.  Where one of the participants is a minor, penalties for the other party are increased.

 

You should not attempt to take photos of police or military personnel or establishments.

Visas

 

British nationals intending to visit Algeria must ensure they obtain a visa before travelling.

 

Passport validity

 

The Embassy will not accept a passport with less than three months validity remaining.

 

Currency declaration

Algeria has strict foreign exchange laws and the Dinar cannot be exported. (see General (Money) section below).

 

Travelling with children

 

British women who are the wives or partners of Algerian citizens should be aware that any children they have together will be regarded as Algerian citizens if the father's name is on the birth certificate.  If such children are brought to Algeria and are under 18, they will only be able to leave again if the father signs an "Autorisation Paternelle".  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Algerian Embassy in London.

Facilities at private clinics are usually more comprehensive than at government hospitals.

 

In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 19,000 adults aged 15 or over in Algeria were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.  You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

 

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on the vaccination requirements for Algeria.

 

For further information on endemic diseases, like malaria, health outbreaks and vaccination requirements for Algeria you should see the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel

NATURAL DISASTERS

Parts of Algiers and the surrounding region are susceptible to severe flood damage.  Northern Algeria is also within an earthquake zone.  In May 2003, a severe earthquake struck the Algiers area.  There were over 2,200 dead and more than 10,000 injured.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that comprehensive travel and medical insurance (including medical evacuation) is obtained before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. 

 

Replacing a passport in Algeria

 

The British Embassy in Algiers does not issue passports.  Before setting off, you should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity and plenty of unused pages.  Applications for new passports are accepted in Algiers for forwarding to the UK for processing, but this may take up to six weeks.  If a courier is used, the cost will have to be borne by the applicant.

 

Money

 

You should not expect to be able to use ATM cards in Algeria Use of Credit Cards is still confined to hotels and a limited number of other businesses in the larger cities.  Algerian Dinars should be obtained from bureaux de change at the international airports and larger hotels or from banks in the main cities.  You should not attempt to change money on the streets.  Algeria has strict foreign exchange laws and the Dinar cannot be exported.