Living in Tunisia

Foreign nationals wishing to stay in Tunisia without carrying out any gainful activity, as in the case of tourists, may stay for up to 3 months (90 days) without a residence permit.

Nationals of European Community countries, the Maghreb, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Japan are not subject to an entry visa requirement for Tunisia.

Once they wish to carry out a gainful activity, they must obtain a residence permit.

A renewable temporary residence visa valid for 5 years may also be granted to foreign investors who have been residing in Tunisia for at least one year.

Any foreign national investing in Tunisia benefits, in connection with their professional activity, from a total exemption from duties and taxes on the importation of their personal belongings and personal vehicle, without any age or engine-power limitation.

Foreign nationals may freely import instruments or means of payment denominated in foreign currencies, without any limit on the amount. However, they must declare any import or export of foreign currency with a value equal to or greater than TND 25,000 (approximately €7,330 based on the exchange rate displayed on the website).

Imported foreign currency may only be deposited into a bank account if it has been declared to customs upon entry into Tunisia.

Tunisia is a pleasant country to live in, with a welcoming and tolerant population.

Tunisia is a recognised Mediterranean tourist destination with modern infrastructure, including luxury hotels, golf courses, marinas and casinos. It also offers numerous attractions, including thalassotherapy, cultural and archaeological tours, Saharan tourism and seaside tourism.

Life in Tunisia is modern, with shopping centres, hypermarkets, modern residential neighbourhoods offering high-standard accommodation at reasonable costs, parks and fitness trails, as well as foreign educational institutions, including French, American and Canadian schools.

In Tunis, residential neighbourhoods are located both within the metropolitan area — Mutuelleville, Le Belvédère, Les Berges du Lac and El Menzah — and in the northern suburbs, including Gammarth, La Marsa and La Soukra.

Monthly rental costs

* As of 27/09/2025: €1 = TND 3.41 and USD 1 = TND 2.91.

The local market offers a wide range of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, both in traditional markets and in large supermarkets such as Carrefour and Géant.

For a European expatriate, food prices are approximately 30% lower than in France or Italy.

Clothing and footwear are generally readily available locally, although prices can be relatively high for quality clothing, which is often imported.

Tunisia offers an attractive social and cultural life through:

• exhibitions and active art galleries;
• renowned festivals, including the Carthage Film Festival, the Carthage International Festival, the Hammamet International Festival, the Tunis Medina Festival and the Tabarka Jazz Festival;
• cinemas, theatres and leisure centres for children.