The euro and the main foreign currencies continue their yoyo game on the parallel market in Algeria. After having increased sharply at the end of November and then falling immediately, the euro rose again to remain slightly above the 280 dinar mark, and a few days before the winter holidays, a period during which demand for currencies increases significantly.
The market is listening to what is being done regarding tourist allocation, travel to neighboring Tunisia and the importation of used vehicles.
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On November 27, the single European currency set an absolute record against the Algerian dinar. It was exchanged at Port Saïd Square, the main parallel exchange center in Algiers and Algeria, at 292 dinars for one euro. While observers saw it quickly reaching the 300 dinar mark, the euro suddenly fell below the 280 dinar mark (279 DA for one euro on November 29).
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Over the last two days, the European currency has made a slight, very laborious rise, barely exceeding the 280 dinars mark, we noted on site.
The euro and the dollar stable on the official market
This Wednesday, December 10, the euro is exchanged in the square for 281 dinars, or 28,100 dinars for one euro. The US dollar stood at 241 dinars, 24,100 dinars for 100 dollars.
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On the official market, the euro and the dollar are imperturbable. This Wednesday, the greenback fell back below the 130 dinars mark (129.99 dinars) against 130.014 dinars on Tuesday. For the euro, it increased very slightly to 151.40 dinars against 151.34 DA on Tuesday.
These factors which impact the black currency market in Algeria
These fluctuations in the main foreign currencies on the Algerian black market follow the various announcements made regarding the importation of vehicles less than three years old, the management of tourist allowances and the movement of Algerians to Tunisia.
Currency traders blame the sudden fall at the end of last November on the decision of the Algerian authorities to ban group imports of used vehicles.
The measure, announced on November 24 by the Ministry of Foreign Trade, was seen as a hard blow to the Chinese sector of vehicles less than three years old, which has been in vogue for several months. Payment for the purchase of these vehicles is made with currencies acquired on the black market.
Algerian tourist buses blocked at the borders with Tunisia
Since Sunday, December 7, buses carrying Algerian tourists have been blocked at the Tunisian borders, with the Algerian authorities now demanding a “ international traffic authorization ».
The Tunisia destination, already favored by Algerian tourists for several years, has been boosted by the increase in the amount of the tourist allowance, rising since last July from the equivalent of 15,000 dinars (around 100 euros) to 750 euros for adults and 300 euros for minors.
The same day, the Bank of Algeria provided important clarifications regarding this allowance, recalling that it is payable once per reference year which runs from July 20, 2025 to July 19, 2026, and not per calendar year.
Which means that those who have made the change in recent months will not be able to do so until the second half of next year. The BA also recalled that the exchange right is “ served only to the beneficial owner » and that the “ resort to any maneuver aimed at diverting the use of the amount of the exchange duty » is prohibited and punished.