Retiring in Algeria: what happens to your Swiss, French, Belgian or Canadian pension

"Will I receive my pension over there?" This is the question that comes before almost every return plan of our retired clients. The answer is not the same for everyone: it depends on the country where you worked, your nationality, and whether or not that country has a social security agreement with Algeria.

France: an agreement since 1980

France and Algeria are bound by a social security agreement dated 1 October 1980. A French retirement pension can be paid to a retiree living in Algeria. Every year, the pension fund asks for a life certificate: forgetting it is enough to have payments suspended.

On the health side, this agreement allows, under conditions, healthcare in Algeria to be covered by the CNAS of the place of residence, after a liaison procedure between the CNAS and the French fund.

Belgium: an agreement since 1968

Belgium and Algeria signed a general social security agreement on 27 February 1968. Pension rights acquired in Belgium fall within this framework. Payment arrangements and proof of life are checked with the Federal Pensions Service before leaving.

Switzerland: no agreement with Algeria

This is the case that surprises people most. Switzerland has no social security agreement with Algeria allowing the AHV/AVS old-age pension to be paid abroad. The consequence depends on your nationality:

• a Swiss national, including a Swiss-Algerian dual national, receives the AVS pension abroad;
• so does a national of a European Union or EFTA country;
• for an Algerian national with no other nationality, the AVS pension is in principle not paid in Algeria. Depending on their situation, they can request a refund, without interest, of the contributions paid.

The exact conditions, and the right time to apply, should be checked with the Swiss Compensation Office before leaving Switzerland. The second pillar follows different rules: occupational pension benefits can be received abroad, and your pension fund will explain the steps.

Canada: no agreement with Algeria

There is no social security agreement between Canada and Algeria. Canada Pension Plan benefits can be paid abroad. The Old Age Security pension, however, is as a rule only paid outside Canada after at least twenty years of residence in Canada after age 18. For the Quebec Pension Plan, the rules are checked with Retraite Québec.

Health cover: assume nothing

Receiving a European pension does not automatically give access to the Chifa health card. Without any activity in Algeria, a retiree's health cover depends on the agreement applicable to the country paying the pension, where one exists. We have this point confirmed in writing by the competent fund before departure.

Case in point — Mourad (name changed), 64, had worked for thirty years in Geneva without ever applying for Swiss nationality. He was counting on receiving his AVS pension in Annaba. A few months before leaving, he discovered that, as an Algerian national, his pension would not be paid to him in Algeria. He had to rethink his whole return timeline.

Preparing departure in the right order

Before leaving the country that pays your pension: check your right to payment abroad, set up the receiving account, plan for the annual life certificate and clarify your health cover. For the account, see our guide to banking between Algeria and Europe and the Banking & Financial Mobility Package. The Permanent Return Package builds the health and banking workstreams into the return schedule, alongside the change-of-residence certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my French pension be paid in Algeria? Yes, the 1980 Franco-Algerian agreement allows it. A life certificate must be sent to the pension fund every year.

I am Algerian and worked in Switzerland: will I receive the AVS pension in Algeria? In principle no, as there is no agreement between Switzerland and Algeria. Depending on your situation, you can request a refund of contributions. A Swiss-Algerian dual national, however, receives the pension abroad.

Will my Canadian pension follow me to Algeria? The Canada Pension Plan can be paid abroad. Old Age Security generally requires twenty years of residence in Canada after age 18.

Does my pension entitle me to the Chifa card? Not automatically. It depends on the applicable social security agreement: this must be checked before departure.

Key Takeaway

The same career does not produce the same rights depending on the country where it took place and the retiree's nationality. Switzerland, with no agreement with Algeria, is the case that requires the most planning.

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