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Algeria's digital reforms and travel allowance

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-25 23:34 UTC → 2026-07-28 19:28 UTC · added removed

Algeria's digital reforms and currency pressure travel allowance

In late June 2026 Algeria introduced the "Waqar" card, giving retirees a 50 % discount on train tickets and launching an online platform for biometric passport renewal abroad. The government then shifted the €750 tourist allowance from cash to prepaid international bank cards, aiming to curb fraud and digitise public payments. The new scheme, combined with orange‑level heat alerts and soaring temperatures of up to 49 °C in southern wilayas, strained households and pushed the parallel euro rate to about 27,750 27 750 dinars per 100 euros € by mid‑July. On 20 July the Central Bank of Algeria, led by Governor Mohamed Lamine Lebou, met senior bank officials to accelerate issuance of the international payment cards that allocate €750 for adults and €300 for youths. Officials noted uneven processing times and a required foreign‑currency deposit to open the associated accounts, leaving some applicants uncertain about waiting periods and costs. The same day CNEP‑Bank opened two new branches in Douéra and Sidi Abdallah, expanding its network to 234 locations and offering full services, including Islamic‑finance products, to improve local accessibility. Earlier, a products. A decree published on 3 June 2026 (Official Journal No. 51) overhauled licensing for businesses dealing in gold, silver, platinum and precious stones, requiring tax‑authority authorisation, detailed dossiers stones and sanctions screening, with automatic revocation for violations. The decree also expanded tightened border‑currency controls, obliging travellers to declare cash, bearer instruments, negotiable securities and precious metals. controls. A follow‑up decree issued on 23 July tightened traveller‑currency controls further, mandating further required written declarations to customs for cash, payment instruments, negotiable securities, precious metals and gemstones. Concurrently, a ministerial order imposed stricter licensing conditions Continuing the rollout, the National Bank of Algeria (BNA) clarified on jewelers 25 July how the state‑funded tourist allowance is loaded onto the international cards: each adult receives €750, children aged 12‑19 receive €300 (max two per household), and precious‑metal manufacturers, reinforcing anti‑money‑laundering adult students qualify for the full €750. The allowance cannot be withdrawn as cash in Algeria and terrorism‑financing safeguards. must be used abroad; loading requires a travel ticket or reservation, passport, income proof, the card, family record and children’s passports. On 28 July the Crédit Populaire d'Algérie (CPA) launched the CPA VISA Classique, a Visa‑network card dedicated solely to the travel allocation.

Versions

  1. 2026-07-28 19:28 UTC Algeria's digital reforms and travel allowance
  2. 2026-07-25 23:34 UTC Algeria's digital reforms and currency pressure
  3. 2026-07-25 20:12 UTC Algeria's digital reforms and currency pressure

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