Living in Tunisia

Foreigners wishing to live in Tunisia without gainful employment, such as tourists, may stay in Tunisia for 3 months (90 days) without a permit.

Citizens from European community, United States, Japan, UK, Switzerland, Canada and Maghreb do not need to arrange their visa before arriving in Tunisia, and will be given a free entry stamp upon arrival. They can spend 90 days in the country on a tourist visa.

Foreigners wishing to engage in gainful employment require a residence permit.

A temporary residence visa valid on a five-year renewable basis also can be granted to foreign investors who have been living in Tunisia for one year or less.

Any foreigner, who invests in Tunisia, has the right, within the context of his professional activities, to import his personal effects and his personal motor vehicle exempt of taxes.

Foreigners may freely import unlimited amounts of payment instruments denominated in foreign currencies; however all imports and exports of currency whose value equals or exceeds 25 000 Tunisian dinars (8741 euros) must be declared at airport customs office.

Imported currencies should be declared to customs office at the entrance in Tunisia to have the right to deposit it in Tunisian bank account.

Tunisia is a pleasant country, people are hospitable and tolerant.

Tunisia is a recognized tourist destination in the Mediterranean, which has a modern infrastructure (luxury hotels, golf courses, marinas, casinos … etc), offering many attractions (thalassotherapy, cultural and archaeological tours and Saharan tourism seaside)

Life in Tunisia is modern: Shopping malls, hypermarkets, and modern residential neighborhoods with luxury housing at a reasonable cost, parks and fitness trails, foreign educational institution (French, American and Canadian).

In Tunis, residential areas are located in the same metropolitan area (Mutuelleville, Belvedere, El Menzah, Les berges du Lac) and in the northern suburbs (Gammarth, La Marsa , Les Berges du Lac, La Soukra)

*(on 27/09/2025, 1 Euro= 3,41 Dinars and 1 USD= 2,91 Dinars)

The local market offers all fruits, vegetables, meats and freshest fish, both in the markets in supermarkets such as Carrefour or Giant.

For an European expatriate prices of food are lower of 30% compared to France or Italy.

Availability of clothing and shoes are generally good but the prices are quite high for quality clothing often imported.

Tunisia provides an attractive social and cultural life through:

• Exhibitions and galleries lively arts
• Famous festivals ( Carthage Film Festival, International Festival of Carthage, International Festival of Hammamet, Festival of Medina, Festival of Jazz in Tabarka).
• Cinema, theaters and leisure center for children.