The Bank of Algeria’s media cell answers the most frequently asked questions
On Tuesday evening, the Media Cell of the Bank of Algeria published the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the instruction related to granting the right to exchange money for travel abroad, using international payment cards.
In its response to a question about the case of the traveler who owns an international payment card, the Media Cell confirmed that the amount of the exchange entitlement can be recorded in the traveler’s Visa or Mastercard cards.
It is not mandatory to obtain a new international payment card, as it is possible to benefit from the right to spend on the international card that the traveler already owns.
On the other hand, parents of minor children can receive their own entitlement to their own cards, within a limit of two children per family.
But this applies to minor children only, while the husband or wife must have their own international payment card to benefit from the right of exchange.
The amount of the exchange right can be used to cover expenses abroad. Online purchases related to the purpose of traveling abroad are also permitted.
As for the unused balance abroad, it will remain in the beneficiary’s account and can only be used for future travel, the source explains.
However, in the event of returning before the expiry of 7 days abroad, or canceling travel, the beneficiary must return the full amount.
The Bank of Algeria issues an instruction granting the right to make payments using international payment cards
On Monday evening, the Bank of Algeria issued a new instruction that includes granting the right to exchange money for travel abroad. By international payment cards, or cards designated to benefit from the right of exchange.
On Sunday, the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, gave instructions to the Council of Ministers, including paying the exchange rate for travel, estimated at 750 euros, by bank card only.
This decision comes, according to meeting statement, After recording “serious violations that caused the bleeding of hard currency, without those concerned benefiting from the right to exchange money in order to travel abroad.”
“It was decided, temporarily, that it would be obtained (the right to exchange) via a bank card. It would not be given in cash to limit the recorded violations,” the source added.
Towards issuing international payment cards “dedicated” to the right of exchange
In accordance with the instructions of the Bank of Algeria, accredited banks issue international payment cards or international payment cards designated to fill the entitlement to exchange for travel abroad, exclusively in the name of their applicants.
These cards may only be used by their owners. It is also not permissible to assign it, place it at the disposal of others, or use it by any other person.
An applicant to benefit from the right to exchange using an international payment card or a designated international payment card must deposit an application for issuing this card with one of the approved banks, sufficiently before his travel date.
The validity period of the issued card is set at least 3 years. Its issuance, as a means of granting the right of exchange, is linked to the hard currency account opened in the name of the beneficiary with the approved intermediary bank.
Read also:
These are the conditions and procedures for obtaining international payment cards
5 documents to request benefit from the right of exchange
In addition to the hard currency account opened in the name of the beneficiary, granting the right to exchange money for travel abroad is subject to the possession of a bank account in the national currency.
The beneficiary pays the corresponding value in Algerian dinars for the amount of the exchange right, exclusively through a written means of payment, within a maximum period of 7 working days before the date of travel. With introduction:
- A round-trip travel document, or land travel tax receipt,
- A valid passport of the beneficiary,
- A copy of the first page of the beneficiary’s passport,
- A copy of a valid visa, if necessary,
- And a document proving income.
The approved banks are responsible for issuing and delivering the international payment card or the designated international payment card for the benefit of their customers. Regardless of submitting an application to benefit from the right to exchange money in order to travel abroad.
The customer holding the card may obtain, through it, the right to make payments on behalf of his minor children. Based on the submission of a family certificate or any other proof document.
The exchange right charged to the card may not be used except for transactions performed abroad and related to the purpose for which it was granted.
The Bank of Algeria reminds us of the prohibition of “any transfer” to the destination of using the amount of the right of exchange in order to travel abroad
On August 8, 2025, the Bank of Algeria renewed its reminder to beneficiaries of the right to exchange money in order to travel abroad, to prevent “any action aimed at diverting the destination of the amount granted.”
This came after “the circulation of content on social media promoting organized travel activities abroad, including some violating practices,” the statement says.
In the same context, the statement stated that “the provisions of Instruction No. 05-2025, relating to the right of exchange for travel abroad, explicitly stipulate “preventing any action aimed at diverting the use of the amount of the right of exchange.”
The statement continued, “Such actions expose their perpetrators to the penalties stipulated in the legislation in force.” Emphasizing that “the amount granted:
- It is considered a personal right, allocated exclusively to its beneficiary.
- It is not permissible under any circumstances to hand it over to a third party, under penalty of judicial prosecution.”
The complete list of banks concerned with granting the right to exchange money for travel abroad
12 public and private banks, Algerian residents who wish to benefit from the right of exchange in order to travel abroad can approach their agencies to reserve the exchange at its new value.
On July 19, 2025, the Bank of Algeria announced in a statement that those wishing to benefit from the right of exchange in order to travel abroad for periods exceeding 7 days must reserve funds at least 3 working days before the travel date.
This takes place in a branch of the Bank of Algeria network, or any banking agency of the banks currently concerned with providing the right of exchange, which is according to what appears on the official website of the Central Bank:
- National Bank of Algeria BNA,
- Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development BADR,
- National Savings and Reserve Fund CNEP banque,
- The Algerian External Bank BEA,
- Local Development Bank BDL.
- Algerian Popular Credit CPA.
- And Gulf Bank Algeria AGB.
- Société Générale Algérie,
- Trust Bank Algeria,
- Fransabank El-Djazair,
- Al Salam Bank-Algeria.
- Al Baraka Bank of Algeria.
The Governor of the Bank of Algeria signed the instruction regarding the right to exchange money for travel abroad, or what is known as a travel grant. After raising its value to 750 euros for adult citizens and 300 euros for minors.
The instruction, which entered into force on Sunday, July 20, 2025, specifies the amount and conditions for allocating the entitlement to travel abroad for the benefit of resident citizens.
The Bank of Algeria’s instructions stipulate that the maximum annual amount of the exchange right is determined by the corresponding value in Algerian dinars of 750 euros. Or its equivalent in another hard currency, for persons aged 19 years and over.
Or 300 euros, or its equivalent in another hard currency, for people between the ages of 12 and under 19 years.
4 basic conditions for benefiting from the right of exchange in order to travel abroad
- Age (over 19 years for adults, and between 12 and under 19 years for minors),
- Payment of the corresponding value in Algerian dinars at the exchange rate on the day of the operation.
- The period of stay outside the country must be equal to or more than 7 days.
- Submitting documents upon request, and others upon receipt of the amount of the exchange entitlement.
Penal prosecutions against transferring the use of the exchange right to a third party
The instruction obliges beneficiaries who spent an actual period of stay of less than 7 days after their travel to return the amount to the branches of the Bank of Algeria. Within 5 working days from the date of their return.
The beneficiary must also return the amount of the exchange entitlement granted, in the event of travel cancellation as well. Note that failure to comply with the provisions of the instruction exposes the owner to losing the right to exchange for a period of 5 years.
In addition, non-compliance with the provisions of the instruction is considered a violation of the exchange legislation and regulation. Its perpetrators are subject to criminal prosecution, especially:
Resorting to any maneuver aimed at diverting the use of the amount of the exchange right from its intended purpose. Which leads to placing it in the hands of a third party, who has no right to be the real beneficiary of it.
At its conclusion, the Bank of Algeria’s instructions indicate the possibility of amending the amount of the exchange right and the conditions for granting it. In the same forms that were adopted, taking into account the feasibility of the balance of payments.
On February 10, 2025, the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, supervised a working meeting on the implementation of the new increase he approved in the travel grant.
He participated in the meeting, according to what he said Presidency statement, The Director of the Office of the Presidency of the Republic, the Governor of the Bank of Algeria, the Minister of Finance, and the Director General of Customs.
In a cabinet meeting early last December, President Tebboune ordered raising the tourism grant to 750 euros per year for adult travellers, and 300 euros for minor travelers. In addition to raising the Hajj grant to $1,000.
The relevant departments have prepared new offices to exchange hard currency at airports And marine stations For transporting passengers and land border crossings.
