Essentials
- Internet Speed
- Average 20-40 Mbps via fiber; 4G speeds reach 50 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Algerian Dinar (DZD). 1 USD ≈ 134 DZD (official), 1 USD ≈ 240 DZD (parallel market)
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; bottled water like Ifri or Lalla Khedidja is standard (30 DZD per 1.5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets
- SIM Card
- Ooredoo, Djezzy, and Mobilis. Ooredoo 'Haya!' offers 50GB for approx. 2000 DZD
- Banking for Expats
- Banque Extérieure d'Algérie (BEA) or BNP Paribas El Djazaïr for international accounts
- Accommodation
- Serviced apartments in Les Allemands or hotels like Sheraton Annaba
- Cashless Friendly
- Low; cash is king. High-end hotels and some supermarkets accept CIB cards
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (limited) and local sites like Ouedkniss (3,000 - 7,000 DZD/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel d'Orient (Cours de la Révolution) approx. 4,500 DZD/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Le Cours (Cours de la Révolution) for central access and history
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Seraïdi for scenic views/quiet or Les Crêtes for modern apartments and safety
- City
- Annaba, Annaba Province, Algeria
- Population
- Approximately 450,000
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Address Annaba (Boulevard 1er Novembre) - ~1,500 DZD/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café de la Paix (Cours de la Révolution) - Reliable Wi-Fi and ample seating
- Networking Events
- Events organized by any local ANPT (National Agency of Technology Parks) incubator
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Annaba Community (mostly online-organized meetups at Sheraton bar)
Transportation
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plage El Belvédère or the further, cleaner Plage Djenane el Bey
- Top Regional Airline
- Tassili Airlines
- Top International Airline
- Air Algérie
- Highway Access
- A1 East-West Highway connecting to Constantine and Algiers
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Annaba Railway Station (Gare d'Annaba) for SNTF services
- Public Transport Passes
- No unified pass; ETUSA buses cost 20-30 DZD per trip
- Regional Travel
- SNTF Train to Constantine (3 hours, ~400 DZD) or 'Taxi Collectif' for speed
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Yassir and Heetch (Widely available and safer than street hailing)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not common; private rentals only via Facebook Marketplace Groups
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- CHU Annaba (Hôpital Ibn Sina) or private Clinic Abou Marouane
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Sheraton Annaba Spa (High-end yoga and sauna facilities)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- City Gym (Rue de l'ALN) - ~4,000 DZD monthly
- Laundry Services
- Pressing Le Progrès (Downtown near the Theatre)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Yassir Express
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bourek Annabi (Square pastry filled with egg, meat, and potato)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Restaurant El Mountazah (Seraïdi) - offers various vegetable tagines
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie La Ruche (Rue Ibn Khaldoun) for traditional and French pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Couvert (El Hattab) for fresh produce and local goods
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia Algeria
- Grocery Delivery
- Yassir Express - Grocery section
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Sheraton Annaba Rooftop or Hotel Sabri bar
- Local Brewery
- No local breweries; Barchon (Algiers) imports available in licensed bars
- Wine Bars
- Le Caroubier at Sheraton Annaba (Select Algerian wines like Coteaux de Mascara)
- Street Food Stalls
- Kiosks at Cours de la Révolution for Bourek and Garantita
- Popular International Cuisine
- Venezia (Italian) and various French-style bistros along the coast
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Basilica of Saint Augustine (Basilique Saint-Augustin)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Hippo Regius Museum (Ruins and mosaics of the Roman city)
- Historical Sites
- The Roman Ruins of Hippo Regius
- Religious Sites
- Sidi Bou Merouane Mosque (11th Century)
- Annual Events
- Annaba Mediterranean Film Festival
- Cultural Districts
- La Vieille Ville (The Old City/Kasbah)
- Theater Venues
- Théâtre Régional d'Annaba (Azzedine Medjoubi)
- Local Markets
- El Hattab Market
- Music Scene
- Malouf music performances at local weddings and cultural centers
- Street Art
- Mural art near the harbor and university district
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes via local guest houses (Gites ruraux) in Seraïdi
- Art Galleries
- Galerie d'Art (Boulevard Rezki Kehal)
- Historic Buildings
- Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) colonial architecture
- Local Heritage
- Philae (The Lighthouse) and the nautical heritage of the port
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Edough Mountain (Montagne de l'Edough) for hiking and cork forests
- National Parks Nearby
- El Kala National Park (Approx. 1.5 hours drive east)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 'Corniche' (Coastal road) for walking and jogging
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Seraïdi Village overlook (800m above sea level)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lake Fetzara (Wetlands protected by Ramsar)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Unregulated beach coves past Toche; local permit/discretion needed
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- EMS Algeria (Post Office) or DHL Express (Boulevard du 1er Novembre)
- Tech Repair Services
- Various shops in 'Le Champ de Mars' area for phone/laptop repair
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local youth centers (Maison de Jeunes) in the city center
- Language Classes
- Institut Français d'Annaba (French) or private schools for Derja/Arabic
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Bibliothèque Principale de Lecture Publique (Boulevard 1er Novembre)
- Community Centers
- Palais de la Culture Mohamed Boudiaf
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in the 'Plaine Ouest' district
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not available (Gambling is illegal)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 180,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 7,200,000 DZD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 120,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 4,800,000 DZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 160,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 9,600,000 DZD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 110,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 6,600,000 DZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 150,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 12,000,000 DZD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 100,000 DZD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 8,000,000 DZD)
- Corporate Tax
- 19% for manufacturing, 23% for building/tourism, 26% for others
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Residence-based; residents taxed on worldwide income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (on income over 1,440,000 DZD annually)
- VAT
- 19% (reduced rate of 9% for specific items)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Limited; focus is on transfer pricing and anti-avoidance
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual land tax (Taxe Foncière) based on rental value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration duty of 5% plus notary fees (approx 1-3%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard income tax applies to residents