Algeria

Recommended Vaccinations For Algeria

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country. The vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country. The vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Polio Vaccine

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk for yellow fever in this country. This country requires all persons over one year of age to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a country where yellow fever occurs or if transiting more than 12 hours in an airport located in a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Recommended Medications For Algeria

There are no recommendations for Algeria at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Algeria

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a high risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Algeria through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a high risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Algeria.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Algeria through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Polio

There is a risk of acquiring Polio in the country and is transmitted from one person to another when droplets from a sneeze or cough of an infected person gets into the mouth of another person.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk for yellow fever in this country. This country requires all persons over one year of age to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a country where yellow fever occurs or if transiting more than 12 hours in an airport located in a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Algeria are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people are at significant risk for typhoid through the consumption of contaminated food and water in Algeria. The risk is greater when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Algeria. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is found in Algeria. There is a very low risk to travelers.

Safety & Security in Algeria

Personal Safety

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs in major cities, particularly in crowded areas, tourist sites, markets, and public transport. Theft from parked vehicles, trains, buses, and hotel rooms happens regularly. Armed robberies, muggings, and carjackings do take place, though violent crime rates are relatively low. In 2020, the homicide rate was 1.3 per 100,000 people. The crime index in 2022 was 53.82, considered moderate. Cities generally maintain a visible police presence. Fraud targeting foreigners occurs, including online romance scams where people are lured to Algeria under false pretenses and held in abusive situations. Avoid displaying valuables, walking alone at night, and visiting less populated areas after dark. The Kasbah area in Algiers requires caution, especially at night, and is best visited with a local guide. Inform your accommodation of your travel plans when moving outside major cities.

Extreme Violence

Terrorist groups remain active in Algeria, though their capacity has been significantly reduced through aggressive counterterrorism operations. In 2023, there were no reported terrorist incidents, though Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, ISIS affiliates, and Jund al-Khilafah remain in ever-smaller numbers. In 2024, Algeria reported 53 counterterrorism operations resulting in nine terrorists captured and 10 hideouts destroyed. Attacks over the past five years have almost exclusively targeted Algerian security forces using improvised explosive devices and ambush tactics in rural mountainous regions. In September 2024, two civilians were killed and three soldiers injured in an attack in Beni Snouss. Previous incidents include IED explosions in Tebessa and Batna in October 2021 that seriously injured three civilians, and a January 2021 roadside bomb that killed five Algerian citizens in Tebessa. Most attacks occur in rural areas, but attacks remain possible in urban areas despite heavy police presence. Terrorist threats are concentrated in border regions with Tunisia, Libya, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, as well as remote desert areas. The Kabylie region east of Algiers, covering Tizi Ouzou, Bouira, Bourmedès, Ain Defla, and Bejaia provinces, also experiences periodic activity. Kidnapping risks are highest in remote, isolated border areas and the Sahara Desert, particularly in Tamanrasset and Illizi provinces. Potential targets include major cities, transport infrastructure, ports, airports, and public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping centers, and hotels.

Political Unrest

Algeria experienced massive peaceful protests from 2019 to 2021, known as the Hirak movement, which led to the resignation of President Bouteflika. While large-scale protests have decreased since 2021, authorities continue to arrest individuals with alleged ties to the movement. In late 2024 and early 2025, a new online protest movement called Manich Radi emerged, expressing dissatisfaction with political and socioeconomic conditions. Authorities intensified their crackdown, arresting and convicting at least 23 activists and journalists between December 2024 and April 2025, with most serving prison sentences or awaiting trial. Protests require official permission, and unauthorized demonstrations can result in arrests and detention. Authorities frequently use force and arbitrary arrests to disrupt rallies. In August 2023, police briefly arrested approximately 20 people who gathered to commemorate the struggle for Algerian independence. Water shortages occurring regularly from April to October sometimes trigger demonstrations. The political situation remains reasonably stable, though demonstrations and public gatherings are subject to restrictions. Avoid all political events, protests, and public gatherings. Follow instructions from local security authorities.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid all travel to areas within 50 km of the border with Tunisia and within 250 km of the borders with Libya, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania due to terrorism and kidnapping. The border with Morocco has been closed since 1994, and the area within 50 to 100 km of it should be avoided due to military presence and unstable security. Avoid overland travel in the Sahara Desert due to terrorist and criminal activity, including kidnapping. The kidnapping threat is particularly high in Tamanrasset and Illizi provinces in southern Algeria, and in the Kabylie region in northeast Algeria. Remote rural and mountainous areas throughout the country are prone to crime and banditry. The Algerian government requires permits for travel to the south and may provide armed guards. If traveling outside major cities, inform local police of your plans. Avoid staying overnight outside main cities and tourist locations. Travel by air when possible between major destinations rather than driving. Remain on principal highways when traveling to coastal and mountainous areas east of Algiers and the mountains immediately south of the capital. Some areas in cities have bad reputations, including the Kasbah in Algiers, which should not be visited at night.