Issue No. 14 of the Official Gazette has published Law No. 26-01, dated February 17, 2026, which amends and supplements Order No. 70-86 of December 15, 1970, concerning the Algerian Nationality Law. Article 22 states that any person who has acquired Algerian citizenship may be stripped of it if a judicial ruling is issued against them for an act considered a felony or misdemeanor affecting the vital interests of Algeria, national unity, or state security. This also applies if a judicial ruling is issued against them in Algeria or abroad for a felony carrying a sentence of five years or more in prison.
The stripping of citizenship only occurs if the acts attributed to the individual took place within 10 years from the date of acquiring citizenship. Furthermore, the declaration of citizenship withdrawal can only be made within five years from the date those acts were committed. Article 22 bis specifies that original or acquired Algerian citizenship can be revoked for any Algerian against whom there is strong and consistent evidence of committing certain acts outside the national territory, provided they did not cease such actions despite being warned by the Algerian government.
These acts include acting knowingly and unambiguously in a manner that causes serious harm to Algeria’s interests, national unity, state security, institutional stability, the unity of the people, or symbols of the National Liberation Revolution, or publicly engaging in activities hostile to Algeria. Other grounds include showing loyalty to another state with the intent to harm Algeria’s interests, serving another state, or accepting funds or benefits from it to harm Algeria. Additionally, working for or assisting foreign military or security forces, cooperating with a state or entity hostile to Algeria, or leading, joining, or financing a terrorist or subversive organization are grounds for revocation.
In cases where the acts mentioned are committed within Algeria, original citizenship can be stripped if the perpetrator has fled abroad. Original citizenship may also be revoked for any Algerian who holds another acquired nationality and uses it to harm their original Algerian citizenship, or who holds another nationality and uses it to harm Algeria. For acquired citizenship, revocation can occur if the specified acts are committed within Algeria.
The individual concerned is granted a warning period of no less than 15 days and no more than 60 days to comply. The warning is delivered through all legal means, including electronic methods. If this is not possible, it is published in two national newspapers, one of which must be in a foreign language. Article 22 bis 1 emphasizes that stripping original Algerian citizenship is an exceptional measure, resorted to only for the specific reasons defined in this law and in accordance with the guarantees provided. Original citizenship cannot be revoked unless the individual holds another nationality.
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