Most Algerians who settle in Spain do so through family reunification, to study or with a job offer, and nearly always via the consulates in Algiers or Oran. Since 9 July 2026 Algeria has applied the Apostille Convention, which makes preparing documents much simpler. Here are the usual routes and what to know before you leave.
Key facts
- Entry: Algerian passport holders need a visa even for short Schengen stays. To live in Spain you need a national residence visa for a specific purpose.
- Citizenship: the general requirement is 10 years of legal, continuous residence. At the oath you must declare that you renounce Algerian nationality (art. 24 of the Civil Code); its effect in Algeria depends on Algerian law. The CCSE and DELE A2 tests are required.
- Documents: since 9 July 2026 an apostille is enough; before that, legalisation by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Spanish consulate was required. Documents in Arabic or French need a sworn translation.
- Driving: there is an exchange agreement. Once resident you can drive for six months on your Algerian licence and exchange it without a test for cars and motorcycles, if you obtained it before becoming resident in Spain.
- Social security: there is no Spain–Algeria social security agreement, so years contributed in Algeria do not count towards a Spanish pension.
How people usually move
- Family reunification. A relative legally resident in Spain can bring a spouse, children and, under conditions, parents once they have held residence for at least one year and have obtained or applied for renewal. Family reunification
- Studies. A degree, master’s or vocational course with a study authorisation, which allows work up to 30 hours a week. Time as a student does not count towards citizenship. Study permit
- Work. A job offer from a Spanish employer, a highly qualified profile or an EU Blue Card. The permit is processed in Spain and you then apply for the visa at your consulate. Employment permit
- Arraigo. If you already live in Spain, after 2 years of continuous stay and with no criminal record you may qualify for social, socio-labour or socio-training arraigo (family arraigo, for example for the parent of a Spanish child, has no such minimum). The 2026 extraordinary regularisation closed on 30 June 2026. Arraigo
- Family of a Spanish or EU citizen. Marriage or registered partnership with a Spanish or EU citizen, or dependent children and parents. Family member of a Spanish or EU citizen
Documents and apostille
- Criminal record: the casier judiciaire extract (bulletin n°3) from the Ministry of Justice, which can be requested online. It usually has to be recent, apostilled and with a sworn translation; add one from any other country you lived in during the last 5 years.
- Civil status records: birth and marriage certificates and, to bring children, theirs too, recent, apostilled and translated.
- Apostille: check the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, which explains which authority issues it for each type of document. If you hold documents legalised before 9 July 2026, ask the consulate whether it still accepts them.
- Sworn translation into Spanish of every document in Arabic or French, by an authorised sworn translator.
- Academic degrees, apostilled, if you plan to have them recognised or use them for a study or skilled work visa.
What to keep in mind
- Spain has two consulates general in Algeria: Algiers, covering the capital, the centre, the east and much of the south, and Oran, covering Oran, Mascara, Sidi Bel Abbès, Tlemcen and Tindouf. Applications are filed by appointment at the BLS International centres in Algiers or Oran, depending on where you live.
- Appointments are scarce: book early and be wary of anyone selling appointments or promising visas.
- A common mistake is still legalising documents that, since July 2026, only need an apostille, or submitting an expired criminal record or one without a sworn translation.
- In Spain: register at the town hall (padrón) and, if you came with a residence visa, apply for your TIE within the first month.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need to legalise my Algerian documents?
Not for public documents apostilled from 9 July 2026, when the Hague Convention entered into force for Algeria. The apostille replaces the double legalisation. You still need a sworn translation into Spanish.
Do my years of contributions in Algeria count in Spain?
No. Spain has no social security agreement with Algeria, so Algerian contributions are not added towards a Spanish pension. Only periods contributed in Spain (or in countries with an agreement) count.
Can I exchange my Algerian driving licence?
Yes. Spain and Algeria have an exchange agreement: for the first six months of residence you can drive on your Algerian licence, then exchange it at the DGT without a test for cars and motorcycles, provided you obtained it before becoming resident in Spain.