In line with state commitments toward the national community residing abroad, a nationwide awareness and information drive regarding social security and retirement benefits officially kicked off on Tuesday at Algiers Houari Boumediene International Airport. Jointly spearheaded by CNAS and CNR, the operation aims to guide Algerian expatriates through the procedures for voluntary enrollment in the national social protection system.
Running through August 20, 2026, the initiative leverages the summer rush of the Algerian diaspora returning home to promote voluntary affiliation mechanisms for social security and retirement. The campaign aligns with policy directives established at the highest state levels to support citizens residing overseas.
This effort is led jointly by CNAS (National Social Insurance Fund), which handles coverage for sickness, maternity, and workplace accidents for employees, alongside CNR (National Retirement Fund), responsible for managing and disbursing retirement pensions.
Speaking at the launch, CNAS Director Djalout Abdelmoumene noted that “this initiative, governed by Executive Decree No. 22-351 of October 18, 2022, aims to inform Algerians living abroad about the terms and procedures allowing them to join the national social protection system, in accordance with guidelines set by President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune.”
The official specified that the measure targets Algerian nationals under age 55 at the time of enrollment who are properly registered with diplomatic or consular posts and employed outside national territory in salaried, equivalent, or self-employed roles. He emphasized that applications are processed online through the CNAS e-declaration portal (El Djalya Space), where applicants submit a digital or paper file containing a copy of their consular registration card, birth certificate, passport ID page, and proof of professional employment.
For his part, CNR Director General Abdelhafid Adrar stated that “this mechanism serves as a genuine bridge between the homeland and its diaspora, designed in direct response to their explicit requests.” He affirmed that “the state pays special attention to citizens living abroad by providing appropriate social coverage and remaining constantly attentive to their concerns.”
Echoing those sentiments, Mokhtar Said Mediouni, CEO of the Airport Services and Infrastructure Management Company (SGSIA) at Algiers Airport, affirmed that “these advancements build upon the policy direction set by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune since the start of his first term—a policy grounded in a constant determination to protect the rights of Algerians wherever they are, while guaranteeing expanded access to quality administrative and social services.”
On a practical level, the framework guarantees enrolled members comprehensive social coverage, including in-kind medical and maternity benefits for the insured individual and their dependents (spouse, children, dependent parents) starting from the date of affiliation, along with defined retirement rights for men and women, the CNAS director explained. Pensions are calculated based on the highest-earning years of contribution-subject wages, requiring 15 years of contributions for a full pension, or a minimum between 5 and 15 years to qualify for a retirement allowance, he added.
Retroactive contribution buybacks remain available up to a five-year cap, extending to survivor pensions paid to spouses and dependents in the event of death, Mr. Abdelmoumene highlighted. Contribution rates are set at the combined standard rate for CNAS and CNR, applied to a minimum declared base that cannot fall below three times the guaranteed national minimum wage (SNMG) of 24,000 DZD. Payments are made quarterly via international credit card in convertible currency into a dedicated CNAS bank account, fulfilling a mandatory quarterly sum.