Salinity stress is a major abiotic constraint that adversely affects seed germination and early seedling development, particularly in crops such as barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). As a critical initial phase of the plant life cycle, germination plays a key role in ensuring the successful establishment of the plant in its environment. In this context, the present study evaluates the impact of different NaCl concentrations (6 g/L and 12 g/L) on the germination performance and tolerance indices of five barley genotypes (Ardhaoui, Kounouz, Lemsi, Manel, and Rihane). Germination kinetics revealed a sigmoidal pattern, with a prolonged lag phase and a reduced final germination percentage under increasing salt stress. At 12 g/L NaCl, significant reductions in cumulative germination rates were observed, particularly for the Lemsi genotype, which displayed the highest sensitivity. In contrast, Ardhaoui maintained a higher germination percentage, indicating superior salt tolerance. Coleoptile and radicle elongation were severely inhibited by salinity, with reductions of up to 60% and 70%, respectively, at the highest NaCl concentration. Statistical analysis confirmed significant genotype-by-treatment interactions for both germination and elongation traits. Germination stress tolerance index (GSI) and tolerance index (TI) analyses further demonstrated that Ardhaoui displayed the highest resilience to salinity, while Lemsi was the most affected. These findings highlight substantial genetic variation in salinity tolerance among barley genotypes, positioning Ardhaoui as a promising candidate for cultivation in saline-prone environments. This study underscores the importance of selecting salt-tolerant genotypes to ensure sustainable barley production under increasing soil salinization conditions.