The deal was concluded during a visit by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf to Brussels end of March. It provides for faster repatriation of Algerian nationals in an irregular situation in Belgium, in exchange for visa-free access for holders of Algerian diplomatic and service passports. Belgium has said that more than 2,000 Algerian nationals are currently subject to expulsion orders, out of an Algerian population estimated at about 30,000. In return, Belgium would grant visa exemptions to Algerian diplomatic and service passport holders, facilitating access not only to Belgium but also to the wider Schengen area. France suspended visa exemptions for Algerian diplomatic and service passports in August 2025 after cooperation on migrant returns broke down.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 06, 2026 15:42 UTC