Essentials
- City
- Algiers, Algiers Province, Algeria
- Population
- Approximately 3,500,000 (Metropolitan area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 20-50 Mbps on fiber (Algérie Télécom), 4G/LTE around 15 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Algerian Dinar (DZD). 1 USD ≈ 134 DZD (Official), 1 EUR ≈ 145 DZD (Official). Note: Parallel market rates are significantly higher.
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; bottled water like Lalla Khedidja or Ifri is standard (approx. 35 DZD per 1.5L).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and Type E Sockets
- SIM Card
- Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo. Best for data: Djezzy (approx. 1,000 DZD for 20GB).
- Banking for Expats
- Société Générale Algeria and BNP Paribas El Djazaïr are the most expat-friendly.
- Accommodation
- Modern apartments in Hydra or El Biar via local agencies or Airbnb.
- Cashless Friendly
- Low. Cash is king. High-end hotels and some supermarkets in Sidi Yahia accept cards, but carry DZD cash everywhere.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (approx. $40-$80/night) or Appart-Hôtels like Lamaraz Arts Hotel.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hôtel Samir (approx. 5,000 DZD/night) or Auberge de Jeunesse d'Alger (Zeralda).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Casbah (Historical) or Algiers Center (Didouche Mourad street area).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Hydra or Sidi Yahia (Modern, walkable, high concentration of cafes and embassies).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hive Algeria (Sidi Yahia) - approx. 1,500 DZD/day; Sylabs (Algiers Center).
- Best Cafe for Work
- L'Escalier (Didouche Mourad) or Columbus Café & Co (Sidi Yahia).
- Networking Events
- Events hosted by Algeria Venture or Algiers Digital Cluster.
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Algiers Chapter or meetings at the Institut Français d'Alger.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Yassir (Most popular), Heetch, or TemTem.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Very limited due to hilly terrain; private rentals via local Facebook groups only.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Palm Beach or Sidi Fredj (Approx. 25km west of city center).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Algérie
- Top International Airline
- Air France, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways.
- Highway Access
- A1 East-West Highway connects Algiers to Oran and Constantine.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Aga Reghaïa Station or Algiers Railway Station (Gare d'Alger - Port).
- Public Transport Passes
- Algiers Metro/Tramway unified card (approx. 150 DZD for a day pass).
- Regional Travel
- SNTF Trains to Oran (approx. 1,000 DZD) or Yassir VTC for long-distance.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Clinic Al-Azhar (Dely Ibrahim) or Hospital Mustapha Pacha (Public/Emergency).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Equilibre (Hydra) offering yoga and pilates sessions.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Pro-Gym (Sidi Yahia) or Moving Algiers (Dely Ibrahim) - approx. 8,000 DZD/month.
- Laundry Services
- Pressing Moderne chains found frequently in Hydra and El Biar.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Yassir Express or Jumia Food.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Couscous Algérois or Rechta (Noodles with chicken and turnip).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Difficult specifically; Le Béarnais or casual Lebanese spots like Saj Al-Rif.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie l'Espérance (Kouba) for traditional Zlabia and Baklawa.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Meissonnier (Fresh produce) or Uno City Center (Hypermarket).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Ouedkniss (Classifieds) or Jumia.dz.
- Grocery Delivery
- Yassir Express Grocery.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Hydra (Hotel bars like Hilton) or private clubs. Alcohol is sold in specialized shops and hotels.
- Local Brewery
- Tango (Local beer brand available in bars/hotels).
- Wine Bars
- Puebla (Sidi Faraj) or Genesis (Hydra).
- Street Food Stalls
- Karantika stalls in Algiers Center (approx. 50 DZD per serving).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Tantuni (Turkish) or Le Caid (French Gastronomy).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Martyrs' Memorial (Maqam Echahid) and Notre Dame d'Afrique.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Bardo National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography.
- Historical Sites
- The Casbah of Algiers (UNESCO World Heritage site).
- Religious Sites
- Djamaa el Djazaïr (Great Mosque of Algiers - 3rd largest in the world).
- Annual Events
- Algiers International Book Fair (SILA) in October/November.
- Cultural Districts
- The Casbah (Architectural) and Algiers Center (Colonial French architecture).
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre National Algérien Mahieddine Bachtarzi.
- Local Markets
- Marché des Trois Horloges (Bab El Oued).
- Music Scene
- Chaabi music clubs in the Casbah; Jazz events at the Cultural Palace.
- Street Art
- Murals around the Telemly neighborhood and Algiers Center.
- Cooking Classes
- Sheraton Club des Pins occasionally hosts workshops.
- Art Galleries
- Galerie El-Yasmine (Dely Ibrahim).
- Historic Buildings
- Palais des Rais (Bastion 23).
- Local Heritage
- Berber/Amazigh symbols and the 'El-Khamsa' (Hand of Fatima).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Jardin d'Essai du Hamma (Botanical garden).
- National Parks Nearby
- Chréa National Park (approx. 50km south in Blida).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Promenade des Sablettes (Seafront walking path).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The terrace of Notre Dame d'Afrique overlooking the Bay of Algiers.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Réghaïa Lake (Protected wetland outside Algiers).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted to designated camping zones in Chréa.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Algérie Poste (EMS) or DHL Algeria (Hydra).
- Tech Repair Services
- Belfort neighborhood (El Harrach) is the hub for all electronics/repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Sportif Amateur hubs in El Biar.
- Language Classes
- Institut Français (French) or Cervantes Institute (Spanish).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Library of Algeria (El Hamma).
- Community Centers
- Palais de la Culture Moufdi Zakaria.
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in Didouche Mourad; Arena Gaming (Birkhadem).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal/Non-existent. Gambling is generally prohibited.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 250,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 10,000,000 DZD).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 150,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 6,000,000 DZD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 220,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 13,200,000 DZD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 130,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 7,800,000 DZD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 200,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 16,000,000 DZD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 120,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 9,600,000 DZD).
- Corporate Tax
- 19% for production activities, 23% for building/public works, 26% for others.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% standard rate.
- Tax System
- Residence-based; worldwide income for residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% for income above 120,000 DZD per month (IRG).
- VAT
- 19% standard rate; reduced rate of 9%.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Alergia has anti-avoidance measures under the Finance Act.
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual land tax (Taxe Foncière) based on rental value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration fees (5%), Notary fees (approx. 1-3%), and Stamp duty.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa or tax break; residents are taxed on global income.