Is Algeria safe for LGBTQ+ travellers?
Significant restrictions
Algeria carries significant legal restrictions for LGBTQ+ travellers — the clearest concern is same-sex relationships (criminalised).
What to know as an LGBTQ+ traveller
the sourced facts that weigh most for you · concerns first
Same-sex sexual acts are criminalised under Article 338 of the 1966 Penal Code, punishable by 2 months to 2 years’ imprisonment plus a fine.
Algeria has no legal procedure to change gender on official documents, and courts have refused gender-marker changes citing Sharia principles.
Algerian law provides no anti-discrimination protection on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; the constitution guarantees only general equality of citizens.
LGBTQ+ people face a hostile legal environment — Equaldex scores 7/100 (2026); expect few or no protections, and in some places active criminalisation. Research local law and discretion carefully.
Blasphemy is actively enforced under Penal Code Article 144 bis 2, which punishes offending the Prophet or denigrating Islam with 3 to 5 years’ imprisonment; academic Said Djabelkhir was convicted in 2021.
Identity & recognition
Same-sex relationships
CriminalisedSame-sex sexual acts are criminalised under Article 338 of the 1966 Penal Code, punishable by 2 months to 2 years’ imprisonment plus a fine.
Legal gender recognition
Not possibleAlgeria has no legal procedure to change gender on official documents, and courts have refused gender-marker changes citing Sharia principles.
Anti-discrimination protection
No SOGI protectionAlgerian law provides no anti-discrimination protection on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; the constitution guarantees only general equality of citizens.
Disability rights
CRPD ratified 2009Algeria ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 4 December 2009 and has a domestic framework in Law No. 02-09 of 2002 on the protection and promotion of persons with disabilities.
Women's legal rights
Major legal gapsSignificant legal gaps remain for women — the WBL index scores 58/100 (2023). Expect unequal rules in areas such as mobility, marriage or the workplace; check local specifics before you travel.
LGBTQ+ legal equality
Few or no protectionsLGBTQ+ people face a hostile legal environment — Equaldex scores 7/100 (2026); expect few or no protections, and in some places active criminalisation. Research local law and discretion carefully.
Body & health
Abortion access
Life/health onlyAbortion is permitted only to protect the woman’s life or physical and mental health under Health Law No. 18-11 (2018); otherwise it is criminalised under Penal Code Article 304.
Cannabis & personal drug law
Illegal, severeCannabis is illegal under Law No. 04-18 of 2004; personal possession or use carries 2 months to 2 years’ imprisonment, and trafficking or organised cultivation can carry up to the death penalty.
Faith & conscience
Government restriction of religion
Very high restrictionsPew Research Center classifies Algeria in the ’Very High’ band of its Government Restrictions Index on religion, among the most restrictive countries globally.
Blasphemy & apostasy law
Actively enforcedBlasphemy is actively enforced under Penal Code Article 144 bis 2, which punishes offending the Prophet or denigrating Islam with 3 to 5 years’ imprisonment; academic Said Djabelkhir was convicted in 2021.
Speech & press
Freedom of expression
Not free · 31/100Rated Not Free, 31/100, by Freedom House (2025).
Your obligations on arrival
Address / residence registration
Foreign nationals establishing residence must obtain a residence card (carte de resident) from the local wilaya foreigners’ office (DGSN); arriving foreigners are reported to need to register their address with local authorities within about 8 days.
Student work rights
A study visa does not authorise employment; any foreign national wishing to work in Algeria must obtain a separate work permit/authorisation, so student work is not permitted without one.
Health insurance
Visa applicants must present a travel and repatriation insurance certificate; Schengen-area and many other nationals require minimum EUR 30,000 medical and repatriation cover for the stay.
Bringing medication
Travellers should carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with the original prescription translated into French or Arabic; psychotropics and strong painkillers are tightly controlled and scrutinised at the border.
Laws differ from lived experience and this is not legal advice. Each fact shows its evidence type, date and source. Full method & sources →
Emergency numbers
Travel-medical cover that works abroad with no local address, and a data eSIM so maps and messaging work the moment you land.