Key Facts for Algerian Citizens
- Visa Required: Yes (Schengen visa for all visits)
- Most Common Visas: Digital Nomad, Non-Lucrative, Work, Student, Family Reunification
- Processing Time: 2-3 months at consulate
- Spanish Consulates: Algiers and Oran
- Citizenship Timeline: 10 years of legal residence
- Tax Treaty: Yes (in force)
- Dual Citizenship: Effectively keep both (see details below)
Why Algerians Choose Spain
Geography is the obvious draw – Algeria sits 300 kilometers across the Mediterranean, a 2-hour flight from Algiers to Barcelona. That proximity keeps family connections practical. Weekend visits home are possible without burning through your annual leave.
Over 60,000 Algerians already live in Spain, concentrated in Valencia, Barcelona, and Zaragoza. These communities offer real support during the transition – help with housing, navigating bureaucracy, finding employers who value multilingual workers.
Visa Options for Algerian Nationals
As an Algerian citizen, you need a visa to enter Spain. No exceptions. Algeria isn’t part of any visa-free arrangements. Here are your main pathways:
Processing times run 2-3 months from initial application to visa issuance. Work permits tie to your specific employer initially. After your first year, renewal becomes easier. After 5 years you can apply for permanent residence.
The visa application process involves significant paperwork and consulate appointments. We handle the entire process for our clients – document preparation, application submission, and follow-up with authorities.
Not sure which visa fits your situation? Each path has different requirements, timelines, and tax implications. Book a consultation and we’ll map out the optimal visa and tax strategy for your move.
Spanish Consulates in Algeria
Spain maintains two consular offices in Algeria for visa applications.
Algiers – Consulate General
10, Rue Reda Hohou (Ex-Clausel), Alger Centre
Tel: +213 21 639 354 / +213 66168 1098
Email: [email protected]
Oran – Consulate General
7, Rue Mohamed Benabdeslem, Oran
Tel: +213 41 332 165 / +213 41 336 505
Emergency: +213 661 21 12 21
Email: [email protected]
Book appointments 4-6 weeks in advance during peak seasons. We coordinate appointment scheduling and ensure your documentation is complete before submission.
Tax Considerations
Tax Treaty: Algeria-Spain
Spain and Algeria have a double taxation agreement in force. This prevents you from paying taxes twice on the same income if you maintain sources in both countries.
Key Points:
- Beckham Law: Digital Nomad visa holders may qualify for flat 24% tax on Spanish income for 6 years, with foreign income exempt
- Dividends: Treaty caps withholding at 5% for substantial holdings (10%+ ownership)
- Pensions: Generally taxed in country of residence
Tax planning is complex when moving between jurisdictions. We work with specialized tax advisors to structure your move correctly from the start.
Required Documents and Apostille
Required Documents:
- Passport valid for at least 1 year
- Criminal Record from Algerian Ministry of Justice
- Medical Certificate from authorized doctor
- Proof of Income (bank statements, contracts, pension documents)
- Health Insurance from Spanish-authorized provider (no copays, full coverage)
- Application Form completed and signed
- Photos passport size, white background
Critical update on document legalization: Algeria joins the Hague Apostille Convention on July 9, 2026. Until that date, Algerian documents require the traditional consular legalization process – authentication by the Ministry of Justice, then legalization by the Spanish consulate. This takes 4-8 weeks.
After July 2026, Algerian authorities will issue apostilles that Spanish authorities accept directly. If your timeline is flexible, waiting until after July 2026 saves considerable time and expense.
All documents in Arabic need certified Spanish translations. We coordinate document legalization, apostilles, and sworn translations as part of our service.
Path to Spanish Citizenship
Algerian nationals need 10 years of continuous legal residence before applying for Spanish citizenship. This is the standard requirement – Algeria isn’t part of any special agreements that reduce this timeline.
During these 10 years, maintain legal status without gaps. Short trips home won’t affect eligibility, but absences exceeding 6 months consecutively can reset your timeline.
Citizenship requires passing two exams:
- CCSE: 25 multiple-choice questions on Spanish constitution, government, and culture. 60% pass rate required. Costs €85.
- DELE A2: Spanish language proficiency at basic conversational level. Costs €108-220 depending on location.
Start exam preparation at least one year before your 10-year mark – CCSE results stay valid for 4 years.
Dual citizenship – the real situation: Spain requires a formal renunciation declaration when you naturalize. However, this is just a declaration to Spanish authorities – Algeria doesn’t recognize it. In practice, Algerians who become Spanish keep both passports. Algeria continues to consider you Algerian regardless of what you declared in Spain.
Important warning: If you exclusively use your Algerian passport for 3+ years after naturalizing Spanish, Spain can revoke your Spanish citizenship. Use your Spanish passport for travel once you have it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Algerians get a Digital Nomad visa for Spain?
Yes. Algerian citizens who work remotely for non-Spanish companies can apply. You need €2,763/month income, health insurance, and clean criminal records. The visa allows you to live in Spain while working for foreign clients, with Beckham Law tax benefits.
How long does visa processing take from Algeria?
Typically 2-3 months from application to visa issuance. Work visas can take longer because they require labor market approval in Spain first. We manage the entire process to avoid delays from incomplete documentation.
Do I need an apostille for Algerian documents?
Until July 9, 2026: No, Algeria is not yet in the Hague Convention. You need consular legalization instead (Ministry of Justice authentication + Spanish consulate legalization). After July 2026: Yes, apostilles will be accepted, making the process faster.
Can I keep my Algerian passport if I become Spanish?
In practice, yes. Spain requires a renunciation declaration, but Algeria doesn’t recognize declarations made to foreign governments. Algerians who naturalize Spanish effectively keep both passports. Just be sure to use your Spanish passport for travel after naturalizing.
Is there a tax treaty between Spain and Algeria?
Yes. Spain and Algeria have a double taxation agreement in force. If you have income in both countries, the treaty prevents you from being taxed twice on the same money.
Can my family join me in Spain?
Yes, through family reunification. You need legal residence for at least one year and must demonstrate sufficient income and housing. The process takes 4-6 months. Your spouse and dependent children can then apply for their own residence permits.
We Handle Everything
Moving from Algeria to Spain involves document legalization, consulate appointments, translations, and ongoing compliance with Spanish immigration rules. The 10-year path to citizenship requires consistent legal status throughout.
Our team handles the complete process: visa application preparation, document legalization coordination, consulate submissions, and renewals. We ensure nothing falls through the cracks over the years it takes to reach citizenship.
This guide provides general information about immigration from Algeria to Spain as of January 2026. Immigration law changes frequently. Nothing here constitutes legal advice for your specific situation. Contact us for personalized advice before making decisions.