Algerian MP proposes fee for consular card
Djamai Nedjah suggests a 25 euro charge every five years for expatriates to access customs benefits.
Algerian expatriates have debated a proposal to make the consular registration card fee-based. The idea, reportedly put forward by emigration deputy Djamai Nedjah during discussions on the 2027 Finance Bill, sparked controversy online. Nedjah has since clarified his suggestion, stating the proposed fee is symbolic and intended to offer benefits.
Nedjah explained that he proposed a 25 euro charge every five years, not annually, for the consular card. This fee would allow holders to benefit from customs advantages related to the certificate of change of residence (CCR) every 10 years, instead of just once in a lifetime. He stated this amendment to the customs code is meant to be beneficial for the national community abroad.
The proposal has drawn criticism on social media, raising questions about diaspora contributions to consular services and national development. The packet notes that while the Algerian diaspora is large, it transfers less foreign currency through official channels compared to other Maghreb countries. Expatriates in Algeria reportedly benefit from free healthcare, subsidized fuel, and food products.
Why it mattersAlgerian citizens living abroad may face a new fee for their consular card, impacting their access to customs benefits.