How to Get Algeria CitizenshipKey facts
- Residence for naturalisation
- 7 years
- Language
- Assimilation only
- Dual citizenship
- Accepted
- Civic test
- Required, no test specified
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
- Income condition
- Income or economic resources must be shown
- Dual citizenship in detail
- Accepted in both directionsNew citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship.Citizens who naturalise abroad keep their citizenship.
- Available routes
- Region
- Africa
- Law in force as of
- 1 January 2024
- Last checked
- Not yet checked by our team
The rule text in the sections below was coded for the law on 1 January 2024. A November 2026 search found no later change for this country, but this has not been verified.
Naturalisation (residence)
For foreign nationals living in Algeria, this is the ordinary route based on residence. A decision rests with the authorities, who may refuse despite the conditions being fulfilled.
- Residence
- 7 years
Person has lived in the country for a minimum of 7 years directly preceding the application.
- Previous citizenship
- New citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship
- Language
- General assimilation condition, no specific language rule
Person must be integrated in the Algerian society.
- Civic knowledge
- Required, no test specified
Person must be integrated in the Algerian society.
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
Person must be of good character, not have been condemned to any sentence that involves the loss of civil rights.
- Income or economic resources
- Income or economic resources must be shown
Receive an income, be of sound mind and body.
Marriage or civil partnership
For spouses of citizens of Algeria, the rules below set out what this route requires. A decision rests with the authorities, who may refuse despite the conditions being fulfilled.
Person is the spouse of a citizen. Other conditions: has been married for 3 years and resident for 2 years, good behavior, and a sufficient income.
Descent (citizen parent)
This route covers children of a citizen of Algeria, subject to the conditions below. Under the law of Algeria, citizenship is acquired automatically, with no official decision involved.
Descent (born in country)
Person is born in Algeria to a citizen.
Descent (born abroad)
Person is born abroad to a citizen.
Child of a new citizen
A parent acquiring citizenship of Algeria is the basis of this route. Under the law of Algeria, citizenship is acquired automatically, with no official decision involved.
Person is the child of a parent who is acquiring citizenship by naturalisation. Child acquires the citizenship at the same time as the parent.
Former citizens (reacquisition)
Earlier citizenship of Algeria is the basis of this route. A decision rests with the authorities, who may refuse despite the conditions being fulfilled.
Re-establishment of Algerian citizenship may be granted by decree to any person who, having possessed this citizenship by origin and having lost it, applies for re-establishment after at least 18 months of habitual and regular residence in Algeria.
Stateless persons
For people without any citizenship, the rules below show what the law of Algeria provides. Under the law of Algeria, citizenship is acquired automatically, with no official decision involved.
Person born in Algeria to unknown parents.
Special achievements
This route covers people recognised for special achievements or for contributions to Algeria, subject to the conditions below. A decision rests with the authorities, who may refuse despite the conditions being fulfilled.
Person has rendered exceptional services to Algeria, has contracted infirmity or illness in the service or in the interest of Algeria, or his/her naturalization is of exceptional interest to Algeria.
Not available in Algeria: Birth in the country, Adoption, Other family members of citizens, Citizens of specific countries, Ethnic or cultural affinity, Residence during childhood, Very long residence, Refugees, Public or military service, Investment. Based on the GLOBALCIT coding of the law, updated with in-force changes.
Dual citizenship
Algeria accepts dual citizenship in both directions.
- New citizens
- New citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship
- Citizens who naturalise abroad
- Citizens who naturalise abroad keep their citizenship
Compare with neighbours
Algeria sets a requirement of 7 years, fewer years than the most common requirement of 10 years across Northern Africa.
Compare Algeria with all countries in the residence ranking
| Country | Residence | Language | Dual citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
 Egypt | 10 years | Required, no test | New citizens only |
 Libya | 10 years | None | New citizens only |
 Morocco | 5 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
 Sudan | 10 years | None | Accepted |
 Tunisia | 5 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
Official sources
This page was located by search and has not yet been checked by our team.
Naturalisation provisions: Nationality law: Art. 10(1).
Cite this page
TravelDecl. (n.d.). How to Get Algeria Citizenship. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/algeria/
<a href="https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/algeria/">How to Get Algeria Citizenship</a> (TravelDecl, retrieved 5 November 2026)
Sources and licence
Vink, van der Baaren, Bauböck, Džankić, Honohan, Manby (2025). GLOBALCIT Citizenship Law Dataset v3.1. Global Citizenship Observatory, https://hdl.handle.net/1814/73190. CC BY 4.0. Modified by TravelDecl.
Modified by TravelDecl: updated with changes after 1 January 2024.
GLOBALCIT codes the law as written. Fees, processing times, quotas and how officials apply the rules in practice are not in this dataset: check them with the official authority.
FAQ
How many years to become an Algerian citizen?
Ordinary naturalisation in Algeria takes 7 years of residence at minimum, plus the other conditions in the law.
Does Algeria allow dual citizenship?
Yes. The law of Algeria accepts dual citizenship for new citizens and for citizens who naturalise abroad.
Do I need a language test for Algerian citizenship?
No fixed language rule applies, though assimilation into society is expected.
Is there a civic knowledge test for Algerian citizenship?
Applicants must show civic knowledge for Algerian citizenship, without a designated test being named.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to get Algerian citizenship?
You are not required to renounce your current citizenship to get Algerian citizenship. The law of your current country may have its own rules on this.
Can I get Algeria citizenship by marriage?
Yes, the law of Algeria has a route for spouses. Procedure: discretionary.
Can I get Algeria citizenship by descent?
Yes. A child of a citizen can acquire citizenship of Algeria by descent. Procedure: automatic.
Can I get Algeria citizenship by investment?
No investment route is coded in the law of Algeria.
Related pages
Also see: Algeria passport, visa-free access and entry rules. Latest law changes.
Corrections to this page are handled by Sarah Kim, Fact-Checker.