Algeria’s Increased Travel Allowance: A Major Breakthrough for International Travelers

BY: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | October 8th, 2024 — Financial experts are hailing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s recent decision to substantially boost Algeria’s travel allowance for citizens traveling abroad. Announced during last Sunday’s cabinet meeting, this initiative is set to provide significant financial relief to travelers, ensuring they have greater flexibility to manage their expenses during international trips.

President Tebboune directed that the travel allowance, which can be accessed once annually by citizens, be increased “significantly and substantially.” In addition to this, he ordered increases in the Hajj travel grant and student scholarships, both for domestic and international students, reflecting a broader effort to financially empower Algerians.

Suleimane Nasser, a finance professor at Kasdi Merbah University in Ouargla, praised the move as a pivotal development for Algerian travelers. “Once implemented, this increase will greatly ease the financial burden on Algerian tourists, enabling them to cover a significant portion of their expenses abroad,” Nasser remarked. He also emphasized that this adjustment would not negatively impact Algeria’s economy or deplete its foreign currency reserves, striking an essential balance between citizen welfare and economic prudence.

The travel allowance, which had remained unchanged since 1997, was set by the Bank of Algeria’s (08-97) directive, capping annual currency exchange for travel at 15,000 dinars in foreign currency. This outdated figure had not been revised in over two decades, making the president’s decision a timely and necessary reform.

Financial and banking expert Idir Sassi supported the increase, calling it a “wise and indispensable decision.” Similarly, economics professor Ibrahim Kandouzi noted that the current economic context, characterized by strong foreign exchange reserves and healthy external financial balances, creates an ideal environment for revising the travel allowance. Kandouzi argued that this adjustment would allow Algerians more financial freedom during international trips without putting undue strain on the nation’s financial health.

 

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