According to the Minister’s office, in 2025, 2.251 individuals declaring Algerian nationality received an order to leave the territory, yet only 85 returned, either voluntarily or through forced return. At the same time, 780 individuals identifying as Algerian were detained in Belgian prisons, 700 of whom were without legal residence. The agreements aim to address these issues and improve the overall effectiveness of Belgium’s return policy. The agreements were announced by Belgium’s Minister of Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, together with the foreign ministers of both countries.

The readmission agreement sets out four main changes to the return process. Algeria has committed to confirming the nationality of individuals within approximately two weeks, instead of several months. The travel document for returns, or “laissez-passer,” will be valid for 30 days rather than 24 hours, allowing authorities sufficient time to complete the process. Multiple individuals can now be returned on the same flight, whether direct or indirect, and Belgian authorities may also request the assistance of Algerian escorts during enforced returns.

Alongside the readmission measures, the visa exemption agreement provides that holders of Algerian diplomatic and service passports will be exempt from visa requirements. The agreements followed diplomatic visits, including Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot’s trip to Algiers in 2025 and the subsequent visit of Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf to Brussels. Belgian officials noted potential implications for bilateral cooperation in trade and energy.

For further details, please read (in French) this press release from Anneleen Van Bossuyt or this one from VRT.