On 31 March Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot and Asylum & Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt signed twin agreements with Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf that aim to streamline the return of Algerian nationals who have no legal right to remain in Belgium and to waive visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports. The readmission treaty commits Algiers to confirm identities within 15 days, extend laissez-passer validity to 30 days and allow group returns escorted by Algerian officers. Brussels hopes the deal will reverse a poor enforcement record: of 2 251 Algerian nationals issued deportation orders in 2025, only 85 left the country. Some 780 Algerian citizens are currently in Belgian prisons, 700 without residency status. For companies employing Algerian staff on Belgian assignments, the agreement provides clearer procedures for resolving overstays and may shorten detention periods pending removal. The diplomatic visa waiver, meanwhile, will facilitate official visits linked to burgeoning energy and mining collaboration—Algeria is the EU’s second-largest pipeline gas supplier, and Sonatrach is exploring a green-hydrogen venture with Belgian engineering group John Cockerill.
![Belgium and Algeria clinch ‘historic’ readmission accord and diplomatic visa waiver]()
Individuals and businesses who need to secure standard Belgian visas—whether for business, work or family visits—can simplify the process through VisaHQ’s digital application service. The platform (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers up-to-date requirements, document checks and courier handling, providing practical support that complements the new government-to-government facilitation measures.
The pact aligns with Van Bossuyt’s broader strategy of leveraging economic cooperation to secure migration concessions. It still requires parliamentary ratification but is expected to pass given cross-party concern over return rates. EU observers will watch closely; the Commission has long sought more robust readmission deals with North-African partners. Human-rights NGOs caution that accelerated forced returns could compromise due-process safeguards and have called for independent monitoring. The government counters that the agreement complies with EU fundamental-rights standards and includes provisions for humanitarian exemptions.
Individuals and businesses who need to secure standard Belgian visas—whether for business, work or family visits—can simplify the process through VisaHQ’s digital application service. The platform (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers up-to-date requirements, document checks and courier handling, providing practical support that complements the new government-to-government facilitation measures.
The pact aligns with Van Bossuyt’s broader strategy of leveraging economic cooperation to secure migration concessions. It still requires parliamentary ratification but is expected to pass given cross-party concern over return rates. EU observers will watch closely; the Commission has long sought more robust readmission deals with North-African partners. Human-rights NGOs caution that accelerated forced returns could compromise due-process safeguards and have called for independent monitoring. The government counters that the agreement complies with EU fundamental-rights standards and includes provisions for humanitarian exemptions.
