What is the census and when must it be done?

The census is a mandatory administrative step concerning every citizen turning 17 during the current year (in Algeria or abroad), carried out at the commune of residence or with the diplomatic or consular representation, by presenting a national ID card, a birth certificate, and two photos, in exchange for a census certificate. A citizen who is absent and has not regularized their situation is censused automatically by the commune (APC) of birth.

What happens if I miss the medical selection?

Missing the medical selection at 18 results in being automatically declared fit ("fit by default"), and losing the right to request an exemption. It is therefore essential to attend on the date set by the Service National structures.

What does "insoumis" (draft evasion) mean, and what is the penalty?

Under Article 35 of law 14-06, a person is considered in draft evasion if they received a call-up order together with a travel order and did not join their unit on the fixed date, absent force majeure, or if they reached 25 full years of age without having regularized their situation regarding the census or the medical selection. This exposes the person to prosecution before military courts; you must immediately contact your Service National structure to regularize your situation.

What happens after completing Service National?

After release, the person moves into the reserve: availability for 5 years, then first reserve for 10 years, then second reserve for 10 years, with a possible recall in case of general or partial mobilization, or for a refresher exercise. The Service National card is renewed 3 years after issuance, then every 5 years thereafter.

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Q: Can I request a study deferment, an incorporation postponement, or an exemption?

Yes, an application can be filed with the Service National centre or directorate you belong to: a deferment (with a valid certificate of enrolment, except for someone who has enrolled in a course at the same or a lower level than a diploma they already hold), an incorporation postponement (a brother currently serving, or a justified temporary impediment), or an exemption (a social case of merit, or a recognized victim of the national tragedy). In every case the decision is administrative and discretionary, made by the Service National structures; this tool grants no exemption or deferment — it only determines whether you can file the application.

Enter your birth year and current situation to find out which stage applies to you (census, medical selection, incorporation call-up, reserve), your contingent grade, and your eligibility to request a study deferment, an incorporation postponement, or an exemption, per the official Ministry of National Defence portal and law n°14-06.

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Question 1 of 3

What is your birth year?

The census, medical-selection, and service stages are computed from your birth year relative to 2026.

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Employment news, recruitment competitions, and labor market updates on SFN Emploi.

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How it works

Enter your birth year; the tool automatically determines which stage applies to you (census, medical selection, service, or the 25-year threshold).
State your actual situation from a short list (censused, fit, currently serving, service completed…), and your place of residence (Algeria or abroad).
If your situation is "fit", enter your education level to find out your contingent grade, and answer short questions on deferment, postponement, and exemption if they apply to you.
The result appears immediately: your stage, your grade where applicable, and your eligibility to file a deferment, postponement, or exemption application, with a direct link to the Ministry of National Defence portal and the toll-free number 10 56.

The information is based on the official Service National portal of the Ministry of National Defence (recensement) and law n°14-06 of 9 August 2014 on national service.

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Hsabet is not affiliated with any of these official organizations – cited for reference only.

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About this tool

Service National is a duty for every Algerian citizen who has reached 19 full years of age, lasting 12 months, for the defence of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, per Article 3 of law n°14-06 of 9 August 2014. The administrative status moves through several stages: the census at 17, the medical selection at 18, then the incorporation call-up on a fixed date (15 January, 15 May, or 15 September), through to release and the transition into the reserve.

This tool helps you identify the stage that currently applies to you based on your birth year and your actual situation (not yet censused, censused, fit, unfit, currently serving, service completed…), the grade you may be assigned in the contingent based on your education level, and whether you can file a study-deferment, incorporation-postponement, or exemption application with the Service National centre or directorate you belong to. The result is indicative and unofficial; the final decision rests exclusively with the Service National structures.

Check your Service National status

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How it works

Frequently asked questions

What is Service National and who does it concern?

What is the census and when must it be done?

What happens if I miss the medical selection?

Can I request a study deferment, an incorporation postponement, or an exemption?

What does "insoumis" (draft evasion) mean, and what is the penalty?

What happens after completing Service National?

Related calculators

Check your eligibility for ANP recruitment

Check your eligibility for the Cadets of the Nation Schools

When can I retire? – retirement date

About this tool

Follow Algeria's job market

How it works

Frequently asked questions

What is Service National and who does it concern?

What is the census and when must it be done?

What happens if I miss the medical selection?

Can I request a study deferment, an incorporation postponement, or an exemption?

What does "insoumis" (draft evasion) mean, and what is the penalty?

What happens after completing Service National?

Related calculators

Check your eligibility for ANP recruitment

Check your eligibility for the Cadets of the Nation Schools

When can I retire? – retirement date