Algeria Travel Risk

Exercise increased caution in Algeria due to terrorism and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Terrorism remains a possible threat in Algeria. Terrorist attacks have historically targeted Algerian security forces. Attacks are possible in both rural and urban areas despite a heavy and active police presence. Kidnapping for ransom events in Algeria’s deep south have targeted foreigners in recent years.

The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Algiers province. This is due to the size of the country, as well as the Algerian government’s travel restrictions on U.S. government employees.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Algeria. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

• Review our information on Terrorism and Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Kidnapping and hostage taking

• Foreigners may be targeted for kidnapping or hostage taking by criminals and terrorists in Algeria. This is most likely to occur in the southern desert regions near the borders with Mali, Niger, or Libya and areas near migration networks.

Do Not Travel to:

• Areas near the eastern, and southern borders, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Illiz, In Guezzsam, In Salah, Tamanrasset, the mountainous areas of the Wilaya of Tebessa, and Tindouf due to terrorism and kidnapping.
• Remote areas in the Sahara Desert without the support of an organized tour group due to terrorism and kidnapping.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Algeria border areas

FCDO advises against all travel to within 30km of Algeria’s borders with:

• Libya
• Mauritania
• Mali
• Niger
• Tunisia – in the provinces of Illizi and Ouargla and in the Chaambi mountains area

Rest of the Algeria-Tunisia border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 30km of the rest of Algeria’s border with Tunisia.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Algeria

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Algeria.

Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:

• transport hubs
• locations popular with tourists and foreigners
• government buildings
• crowded places
• businesses with western interests

There is also a risk that lone actors target foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

The threat from terrorism is higher in some parts of the country, including:

• the southern border, where the kidnap risk is concentrated
• the Libyan and Tunisian borders
• rural, and in particular mountainous, areas in the north and between Tunisia and Algiers
• the Sahara

The terrorist threat comes from individuals inspired by Islamist extremist and anti-Semitic ideology and established groups, such as Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). These groups have been active across the country and likely consider Western nationals legitimate targets.

The Algerian authorities conduct effective counter-terrorism operations and retain a strong, visible security presence across the country.

Terrorist kidnap

There is a threat of kidnapping by groups operating in North Africa, particularly from Libya, Mauritania and groups originating in the Sahel. This includes AQIM and Daesh-affiliated groups, who may travel across the region’s porous border. There is a heightened risk of kidnap in border and remote desert areas of North Africa, particularly in the southern and eastern border areas (bordering Mali and Libya respectively). Terrorist groups have kidnapped foreigners, government officials and civilians in the region for financial gain and for political leverage.

British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.

The long-standing policy of the British government is to not make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) also makes payments to terrorists illegal.

Risk level

Algeria - Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Algeria due to the threat of terrorism and the risk of kidnapping.

Regional risks

Border areas - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the following border areas due to the high threat of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping:

• within 200 km of the border with Mali, Mauritania and Niger
• within 50 km of the border with Libya
• within 50 km of the border with Tunisia, except for travel by land to/from Tunisia via the N44 highway and the Oum Tboul border crossing, where you should exercise a high degree of caution

Border with Morocco - Avoid all travel

Avoid all travel to the area within 50 km of the border with Morocco due to the increased military presence, the unstable security situation and the difficulty of finding the border’s exact location.

Border areas

Border areas often see greater criminal activity and violence.

Algeria's security concerns are mainly due to regional instability. There is a heightened risk of kidnapping and terrorist attacks in rural, mountainous, border and remote desert areas of North Africa. Extremist groups take advantage of porous borders to carry out attacks. They operate human, drug and weapons trafficking in these areas, contributing to the overall threat.

Terrorist groups and extremist militants are especially active along the borders with:

• Mali
• Niger
• Libya
• Tunisia
• Mauritania

The border with Morocco has remained closed since 1994. Tensions are high in this region.

Although counterterrorism operations should limit the ability of militants to carry out large-scale attacks, you should avoid all travel to border areas.

Terrorism

There’s a constant terrorist threat across North Africa. Reports of planned terrorist attacks occasionally emerge.

In recent years, the Algerian government has intensified its fight against terrorists. Counterterrorism operations significantly diminished the capacity of terrorist groups to operate in Algeria. However, militants remain in the country even if attacks are less common. They mainly target security forces, local government, and Western interests. Terrorist activity in Libya, Mali, Niger, and Tunisia contributes to the overall threat, particularly in border regions.

Despite these efforts, terrorist attacks could occur at any time. Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Be particularly vigilant during the following:

• sporting events
• religious holidays
• public celebrations
• major political events, such as elections

Terrorists could use such occasions to mount attacks.

阿尔及利亚现有橙色（高风险）地区6个，其他地区均为黄色（中风险）。具体如下:

一、橙色地区：格尔达亚、布迈德斯、蒂齐乌祖、巴特纳、贝贾亚、伊利齐六省。外交部提醒中国公民近期谨慎前往阿尔及利亚上述地区，已在当地的人员和机构密切关注局势发展，保持高度警惕，加强安全防范和应急准备，确保人身和财产安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

二、黄色地区：其他地区。外交部提醒在阿尔及利亚其他地区的人员也要加强防范，注意安全。如遇紧急情况，请及时报警并与中国驻当地使领馆取得联系。

外交部和驻外使领馆将继续密切关注海外安全形势变化，动态调整有关风险评估，并实时在中国领事服务网等平台发布、更新相应安全提醒，请持续关注。