Belgium and Algeria reach deal to speed up migrant returns

The federal government has reached an agreement with Algeria on the return of Algerian nationals without the right of residence in Belgium. On Tuesday, Foreign Affairs minister Maxime Prévot and Asylum and Migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt signed the deal with Algerian Foreign Affairs minister Ahmed Attaf.

In 2025, 2,251 people claiming Algerian nationality were issued with an order to leave the territory. In total, 85 Algerians were repatriated to their country of origin, both voluntarily and forcibly. There are currently 780 people claiming to be Algerian in Belgian prisons, 700 of whom do not have legal residence.

The ministers say Tuesday's agreement will create conditions for faster and more efficient returns. The identification period is to be reduced from several months to around 15 days. The validity of the "laisser-passer", a travel document for return, will be extended from one day to 30 days. This is expected to help in cases where individuals resist removal and authorities require more time to complete the process.

"With this readmission agreement, we are strengthening the fight against illegal immigration, reducing the pressure on our prisons and also making our society safer"

The agreement also allows for multiple returnees to be transferred on a single flight. Belgium will be able to call on Algerian escorts in cases of forced return.

"With this readmission agreement, we are strengthening the fight against illegal immigration, reducing the pressure on our prisons and also making our society safer," said minister Van Bossuyt. "A credible and comprehensive migration policy stands or falls on the effective return of people who have no right to remain in Belgium."

Visa waiver

In addition, the Belgian and Algerian ministers agreed on a visa waiver for Algerian holders of diplomatic and service passports. According to Van Bossuyt, the two agreements are linked.

"In exchange for the visa waiver for diplomatic and service passports, there will be more efficient returns," the minister said. "If one of the two partners fails to fulfil its commitment, this will also have consequences for the other agreement."

Both agreements still require approval by parliament.

^{Algerian Foreign Affairs minister Ahmed Attaf, Belgian Foreign Affairs minister Maxime Prévot and Belgian Asylum and Migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt. © BELGA PHOTO MARIUS BURGELMAN}