Language
Overview
The official language is Arabic (70%), in the south mainly Berber languages are spoken (30%). Business and official language is predominantly French.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
05/01/2022 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
05/01/2022 Labor Day
05.07.2022 Independence Day
07/09/2022 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
08/08/2022 Ashura
10/09/2022 Milad un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)
11/01/2022 anniversary of the revolution
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into Algeria (persons aged 18 and over): 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco; 2 liters of wine or 1 liter of spirits; 250ml Eau de Toilette or 50g Perfume in opened packs.
Prohibited Imports
Radios, binoculars, guns, gold and jewelry. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
Consulate General in Bellevue.
Willadingweg 74
Bern
Switzerland
+41 (0)31 350 10 50.
http://www.ambassade-algerie.ch
http://www.ambassade-algerie.ch
Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Consular department: Tues-Sat 08.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30. Visa matters: Mon-Fri 08.30-12.30 and 13.30-15.30.
Embassy of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
Rudolfinergasse 18
Vienna
Austria
+43 (1)369 88 53 55.
http://www.algerische-botschaft.at
http://www.algerische-botschaft.at
Mon-Fri 09.00-16.00. Consular Dept.: Mon-Thurs 09.00-15.00.
Embassy of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
Consulate General in Frankfurt/M.
Görschstraße 45-46
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 43 73 70. Consular Dept.: +49 (0)30 43 73 71 71.
http://www.algerische-botschaft.de
http://www.algerische-botschaft.de
Mon-Fri 09.00-16.00. Consular Dept.: Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00. Visa matters: Mon, Wed, Fri 09.00-13.00.
Business
Business etiquette
Suits should always be worn in winter, and shirts without jackets are allowed in summer. In larger companies, an appointment is required. Business people speak French or Arabic. Prices are negotiated. As a visitor, you are often invited to hotels or restaurants, and the host is rarely accompanied by his wife. Private invitations are rare. The fasting month of Ramadan is less suitable for business visits. The climate is at its most pleasant between October and May.
Opening hours
Business hours: Usually Sun-Thu from 08.00-12.00 and 13.00-16.00.
Business contacts
Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Garrisonkirchplatz 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany Tel. +49(0)30 278 90 70. Website: www.ghorfa.de Austrian-Arab Chamber of Commerce Lobkowitzplatz 1, Postfach 76, 1010 Vienna, Austria Tel. +43 (0)1 513 39 65. Website: aacc.at Chambre Algérienne de Commerce et d’Industrie (Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry) 6 Boulevard Amilcar Cabral, Palais Consulaire, Place des Martyrs, 16003 Algiers, Algeria Tel. +213 (0)21 96 77 77, +213 (0)21 96 66 66. Website: www.caci.dz
Communication
Phone
Public pay phones are available, but cell phones are used almost exclusively.
Mobile phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, GSM 900 network operated by the Ministère des Postes et Telecommunications (AMN). Providers include Orascom Telecom Algerie Spa (Djezzy) (website: www.djezzy.com). There are roaming contracts. But the best thing to do is to buy a SIM card in Algeria that you can use in your own mobile phone. In this way, one can benefit from the cheaper tariffs in the country.
Internet
There are internet cafes in all major cities. Some hotels in the big cities offer access to the Internet via Wi-Fi. Most providers are owned or controlled by the state-owned Telekom. Connection problems can occur when transferring larger amounts of data, but there are no problems when communicating via Skype.
Post office
From larger cities, shipments to Europe take 3-4 days, longer from smaller towns. Postal delivery Saturday to Thursday. Parcels sent by regular mail take up to two months to reach Algeria and customs clearance further delays delivery. Post office opening hours: Sat-Wed 08.00-17.00, Thu 08.00-12.00. The main post office in Algiers (5 Boulevard Mohamed Khémisti) is open all day.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
