Contract templates in Algeria: the rules to know

• Permanent employment contract

  Hiring for a permanent position

  In Algeria, an employment contract is presumed open-ended and may be written or unwritten.

  • Written or unwritten contract: the relationship arises from working for an employer (art. 8), the form is free (art. 9) and proof is by any means (art. 10).
  • The contract is deemed open-ended unless a written provision states otherwise (art. 11).
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• Fixed-term employment contract

  Assignment or replacement with an end date

  Law 90-11 restricts fixed-term contracts to an exhaustive list of cases and treats them as open-ended if they are not in writing or breach the law.

  • Article 12 cases: non-recurring work or services, replacement of an absent holder, discontinuous periodic work, temporary or seasonal increase in activity, activities temporary by nature.
  • The contract states the duration of the employment relationship and the reasons for the limited term (art. 12).
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• Internship agreement

  Internships and first-job schemes

  In Algeria, the professional integration support scheme (DAIP) provides integration contracts for young first-time jobseekers.

  • The DAIP (Executive Decree No. 08-126) provides three contracts: CID for higher-education graduates, CIP for secondary and vocational training, CFI for young people without qualifications.
  • Eligibility: Algerians aged 18 to 35, first-time jobseekers registered with ANEM and in good standing regarding national service.
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• Resignation letter

  Leaving a job properly

  In Algeria, resignation is a worker's right; it is submitted in writing and followed by a notice period set through collective bargaining.

  • Resignation is a right of the worker and one of the grounds on which the employment relationship ends (Law 90-11, arts. 66 and 68).
  • It is submitted in writing; the worker leaves after a notice period set by collective conventions or agreements (art. 68).
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• Service agreement

  Work carried out for a client

  General contract law under the Civil Code applies; no form is required, but written proof becomes necessary above DZD 100,000.

  • The contract is formed by the exchange of a matching offer and acceptance (Civil Code, art. 59).
  • No form is required: consent may be given in writing, orally or by unequivocal conduct (art. 60).
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• Agreement between two parties

  Mutual commitments in writing

  The Civil Code governs the agreement: free form, capacity, object and cause requirements, and written proof required above DZD 100,000 in non-commercial matters.

  • Every person has capacity to contract unless the law provides otherwise (Civil Code, art. 78).
  • The object must be possible and lawful; an object contrary to public order or morality makes the contract absolutely void (art. 93).
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• Freelance contract

  Independent professional and client

  In Algeria, an individual freelancer's activity falls under the self-employed entrepreneur status of Law No. 22-23; the contract follows general Civil Code rules.

  • Self-employed entrepreneur: an individual working alone in an activity on a regulatory list, under a turnover ceiling; liberal professions, regulated and craft activities are excluded (Art. 2).
  • Registration in the national self-employed entrepreneur register, with a card issued (Arts. 4 to 6), possible online (Art. 11).
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• Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)

  Sharing sensitive information

  In Algeria, no specific statute covers NDAs: they fall under the general contract rules of the Civil Code.

  • The contract is formed under the general rules of the Civil Code (Articles 59 and 60).
  • The subject matter of the confidentiality obligation must be determined and lawful (Articles 92 and 93).
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• Partnership agreement

  Joint project between companies

  No specific regime: the agreement falls under the general law of obligations in the Civil Code.

  • A cooperation agreement is an innominate contract governed by the general law of obligations (Civil Code).
  • Its validity requires consent, a lawful object and a lawful cause (Civil Code, arts. 59, 93 and 97).
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• Sale of goods

  Selling goods and movable property

  In Algeria, the Civil Code governs sales; Executive Decree No. 13-327 organises the statutory warranty owed to consumers.

  • Consumers: statutory warranty of at least six months for new goods and three months for used goods, from delivery (Decree 13-327, arts. 16 and 17).
  • The seller repairs, replaces or refunds at no cost; where repair is impossible, replacement or refund within 30 days (arts. 12 and 15).
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• Influencer agreement

  Brand and creator collaboration

  Algeria has no influencer-specific law: the Civil Code, consumer law and the e-commerce law apply.

  • No influencer-specific law: the Civil Code, consumer law and Law No. 18-05 on e-commerce apply.
  • Law No. 18-05 regulates electronic advertising and requires an unsubscribe option; online sale of alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceutical products is prohibited.
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• Residential lease

  Renting a home

  Residential leases are governed by the Civil Code, whose lease provisions were reformed by Law No. 07-05 of 13 May 2007.

  • The lease must be in writing with a certified date, failing which it is void (Civil Code, art. 467 bis).
  • The lease ends when the agreed term expires, with no notice required (art. 469 bis 1).
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• Commercial lease

  Renting business premises

  In Algeria, since Law No. 05-02, a commercial lease is a notarial deed, its term is freely agreed, and renewal exists only if the lease provides for it.

  • The term of the lease is freely set by the parties (Commercial Code, art. 187 bis).
  • Unless otherwise agreed, the tenant leaves at expiry without notice or eviction compensation: a right to renewal exists only if the lease provides for it.
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• Acknowledgment of debt

  Money lent between individuals

  The Civil Code requires a written document to prove a debt above DZD 100,000.

  • An obligation above DZD 100,000 cannot be proven by witnesses: a written document is required (Civil Code, art. 333).
  • The written document may be notarial, private or electronic.
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• Car sale agreement

  Selling a used vehicle

  The Civil Code governs the sale; Executive Decree 25-169 of 2025 amended the road traffic rules that apply to the transfer.

  • A private sale of a used vehicle falls under the Civil Code (sale) and the road traffic regulations.
  • The seller declares the sale to the wali of the wilaya of residence, with the buyer's identity and address (Decree 25-169).
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• Power of attorney

  Acting on someone else's behalf

  General contract law applies; the rules specific to this contract remain to be confirmed.

  • Algeria acceded to the Apostille Convention on 5 November 2025; the Convention has been in force there since 9 July 2026.
  • Since that date, a power notarised in a contracting State can carry an apostille instead of legalisation, except from States that objected (Germany, Austria, Greece).
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