Tunisia

TUN

Tunisia is a North African republic bordering Algeria, Libya, and the Mediterranean Sea. It combines an affordable cost of living, a French-influenced business culture, and a well-educated Arabic- and French-speaking workforce. Tunis offers a growing tech-startup scene, while coastal cities such as Sfax and Sousse attract tourists and retirees. The country runs a residence-based personal income tax system with a top marginal rate of 35%. Long-term residency is available to foreign nationals who demonstrate regular income or investment, and naturalisation opens after five years of lawful residence. Political reforms and infrastructure investment since 2011 have improved the business climate, though bureaucracy remains a practical hurdle for expats.

→ If you hold a Tunisia passport, see the Tunisia nationality guide

Passport Rank

#82

Visa-Free

destinations

Country Details

Capital: Tunis
Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND)
Languages: Arabic, French
Population: 12,200,000
Tax System: Residence Based
Dual Citizenship: Allowed
Naturalisation: 5 years
Schengen / EU: No
Climate: Mediterranean (north); semi-arid to arid (south)
English Proficiency Rank: #72

Indices

Cost of Living

Safety

Healthcare

Quality of Life

110

Tax Summary

Tax System: Residence Based
Territorial Taxation: No — worldwide income taxed for residents
Naturalisation: 5 years of legal residency
Dual Citizenship: Allowed

Cost of Living by City

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Monthly cost of living per major city in USD: rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass
City	Rent 1BR centre	Rent outside	Groceries	Utilities	Transit pass
Tunis	$380	$220	$160	$55	$18
Sfax	$250	$150	$140	$50	$14
Sousse	$290	$170	$150	$52	$15

Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.

Climate

Tunis

11°J

12°F

14°M

17°A

21°M

25°J

28°J

29°A

26°S

21°O

16°N

12°D

Rainfall range: 3–64 mm/month · Daylight 9h (winter) to 14h (summer)

Djerba

13°J

14°F

16°M

19°A

23°M

27°J

30°J

31°A

28°S

23°O

18°N

14°D

Rainfall range: 1–40 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)

Visa Categories & Immigration Authority

Major Visa Categories

Tourist Visa (visa-free for many nationalities)
Long-stay Visa
Work Visa
Student Visa
Family Reunification Visa
Investor Visa
Business Visa
Transit Visa

Authority: Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale
Official Portal: www.interieur.gov.tn
Phone: +216 71 333 000
Email: contact@interieur.gov.tn

Naturalisation Details

Residence Years: 5
Language Test: No
Civic Test: No
Oath Required: Yes
Dual Allowed: Yes
Fee: $80
Processing: ~18 months

Real Estate

Avg price/sqm (capital): $1,400
Transaction taxes: 5%

Foreign buyers: Non-residents may purchase property with prior authorisation from the Tunisian Central Bank; agricultural land purchase is prohibited for foreigners.

International Schools

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International schools by city, curriculum, and annual tuition
School	City	Curriculum	Tuition (USD/yr)
American Cooperative School of Tunis	Tunis	American	$8,000–$18,000
Lycée Français Pierre-Mendès-France de Tunis	Tunis	French	$4,000–$10,000

Daily Life Logistics

Internet

22 Mbps median

30% fibre coverage

eSIM: Ooredoo TN, Orange Tunisie

Driving

IDP required

Exchange eligible: France, Belgium, Germany +1 more

Pet Relocation

Quarantine: none

Rabies titre required

EU pet passport: not accepted

Safety

GPI Rank

#82

Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)

Common Risks

⚠Tourist-price inflation in medinas
⚠Unofficial taxi overcharging
⚠Fake guide offers near Bardo Museum

Examples of areas to avoid: Mellassine (Tunis) at night, Ettadhamen peripheral streets after dark

LGBTQ+ Legal Status

Same-Sex Marriage: Not legal
Civil Partnerships: Not recognised
Anti-Discrimination Law: No
ILGA Rank: #155

Religious Life

Halal Food: Widely available
Kosher Food: Limited
Prayer Facilities: Common

Sample Citizenship Test Questions

Q1. What is the official language of Tunisia?

Answer: Arabic

Source: Tunisian Nationality Code, Article 1

Q2. In what year did Tunisia gain independence from France?

Answer: 1956

Source: Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Related Guides

Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave

Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.

Sources & last verified

Last verified 2026-06-15