Tunisia (TN)

Register your child's birth at the Commune

A birth in Tunisia must be registered at the local commune within 10 days of the birth. The hospital will provide a certificat médical de naissance (medical birth certificate). You then obtain the official acte de naissance (birth certificate) from the commune. Also notify your home country's embassy or consulate to register the birth in your home country's civil records and obtain the child's home-country documents.

Register your address at the local Commune

Report your address to the local commune (municipality) in your district. While not enforced with the same urgency as Germany's Anmeldung, local registration is required for administrative purposes and is often asked for when applying for a Titre de Séjour or renewing one. Bring your passport and rental contract.

Apply for your Titre de Séjour (residence permit)

Any foreign national residing in Tunisia for more than 3 months must apply for a Titre de Séjour (residence card). This is mandatory and is your primary identity document in Tunisia. Without it, you cannot open a bank account, sign a rental contract legally, or work. Apply at the regional police headquarters (Circonscription Régionale de Police) in your governorate.

Obtain a Casier Judiciaire (criminal record certificate)

A casier judiciaire (B3 extract — for foreigners this refers to your home-country equivalent police clearance certificate) is required for: Titre de Séjour applications, ANETI work permit, some employment contracts, and certain professional licences. You must provide a certificate from your home country. Apostille it before arriving in Tunisia if possible.

Open a Tunisian bank account

A Tunisian bank account is essential for receiving your salary, paying rent, and covering local expenses. BIAT (Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie) has the largest ATM network and is most accessible for residents. Amen Bank and Attijari are popular alternatives. Bring your Titre de Séjour — most banks require it for foreigners.

Buy a Tunisian SIM card

Getting a local SIM is one of the first things to do on arrival. Tunisie Télécom (state operator, widest coverage), Ooredoo, and Orange Tunisie offer prepaid (prépayé) and postpaid (abonnement) plans. A prepaid SIM with DT 30–50 of credit covers basic usage for the first month. 4G is widely available in cities. eSIM is not yet widely supported by Tunisian operators.

Obtain an Autorisation de Travail (work permit) from ANETI

All foreign nationals working legally in Tunisia must have an Autorisation de Travail (work permit) issued by ANETI before starting employment. This permit is employer-specific — it authorises you to work for a named employer in a named role. Your employer applies on your behalf. The 80% national hiring quota (80% of employees must be Tunisian) affects approval — confirm your employer has the necessary quota.

Verify CNSS registration on your payslip

Your employer is legally required to register you with CNSS within 30 days of your start date. You receive a CNSS affiliation number (numéro d'immatriculation) which appears on your payslip. Verify it is there from month one. If not, contact the CNSS regional office — your employer is committing an offence. CNSS contributions fund your pension, CNAM health insurance, and other social benefits.

Obtain your CNAM health insurance card

Once your employer registers you with CNSS, you are automatically enrolled in CNAM (Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie — AMO). Request your Carte CNAM from the CNSS regional office. This card gives you access to CNAM-reimbursed consultations (70–80% reimbursement) at networked doctors and clinics. Register your spouse and children as dependants at the same time.

Find accommodation via property portals

Search for rental property on Tunisia's main platforms. mubawab.tn and afariat.com list verified properties with photos and prices. tayara.tn is a broader classifieds site. Facebook Marketplace is very active but carries higher scam risk. Budget areas: La Marsa, Les Berges du Lac, Ennasr, Menzah (all Tunis suburbs). Typical studio: DT 400–700/month. 2-bedroom: DT 700–1,500/month.

Sign a written rental contract (contrat de bail)

Always sign a written contrat de bail before paying any deposit. Standard terms: 2-month deposit (caution), monthly rent in TND, notice period (30 days from tenant, 3 months from landlord). Request the landlord's CIN (national ID). Pay deposit by bank transfer — not cash — to create a paper trail. An unstamped private contract is valid but a notarised contract provides stronger protection.

Get your academic qualifications recognised by MESRS

If your profession requires formally recognised academic qualifications in Tunisia (medicine, law, engineering, architecture, accounting), apply for an attestation d'équivalence from the MESRS. For regulated professions, you may also need recognition from the relevant Ordre (Ordre des Médecins, ONAT, OIT, OAT, OECT). This is typically required before your ANETI work permit can be issued in professional roles.

Apostille your home country documents before arriving

Documents from Hague Apostille Convention countries used in Tunisia must be apostilled before being submitted to Tunisian authorities. Key documents to apostille: birth certificate, marriage certificate, criminal record (police clearance), university diplomas. Tunisia acceded to the Apostille Convention — apostilled documents are accepted without further legalisation.

Set up Wise for international money transfers

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the most cost-effective way to transfer money between your home country and Tunisia. Tunisian TND is non-convertible — you cannot take more than DT 5,000 in cash when departing, but you can receive foreign currency into your Tunisian bank account via official banking channels. Wise offers mid-market exchange rates with low fees compared to bank wire transfers.

Set up home internet (ADSL or fiber)

Tunisie Télécom (via Tunisie Telecom DSL/Fiber) offers ADSL and fiber plans for residential users. Ooredoo and Orange also offer fixed broadband. Speeds vary significantly by area — fiber is available in major cities. Monthly costs: DT 30–60 for ADSL (4–20 Mbps); DT 50–90 for fiber (50–100 Mbps). Internet quality is reasonable for video calls and streaming.

Exchange currency officially at a Tunisian bank

Always exchange foreign currency (EUR, USD, GBP) at a Tunisian bank or official bureau de change (hotel or airport). Black market currency exchange is illegal in Tunisia — penalties include confiscation of all currency and possible criminal charges. The official bank rate is the only legal rate. Keep your exchange receipt (bordereau) — you may need it to re-exchange unused TND when departing.

Save Tunisia emergency numbers in your phone

Save the key emergency numbers in your phone before you need them: SAMU medical emergency: 190; Police Nationale: 197; Garde Nationale: 193; Protection Civile (fire/rescue): 198; Civil protection coordination: 1122. Also save: your home country's embassy/consulate emergency line, your employer's emergency contact, and your nearest private clinic's urgences number.

Understand Ramadan etiquette and its practical impact

Ramadan typically lasts 29–30 days (2026: approximately 20 February–21 March). During Ramadan: eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is socially (and legally in some contexts) prohibited. Many restaurants close during the day. Government offices and businesses may run reduced hours. Traffic patterns shift dramatically (avoid driving near Iftar time — the break-of-fast sunset meal — as roads become chaotic). Nights are lively and social.

Learn Tunisia's waste disposal rules

Tunisia's waste infrastructure is developing. Key rules: (1) Reusable bags mandatory — single-use plastic bags banned in supermarkets since 2019; (2) Burning household waste is illegal; (3) Batteries and electronics go to ANGED collection points, not general waste; (4) Medications return to pharmacies; (5) Motor oil returns to garages. Littering fines in tourist areas: DT 50–200.

Install Tunisia's essential apps

Key apps for daily expat life in Tunisia: (1) Bolt and InDriver for transport; (2) BIAT Online or your bank's app for TND banking; (3) D17 (La Poste mobile wallet) for mobile payments; (4) tayara.tn app for buying/selling items; (5) WhatsApp — the single most important communication tool (more than phone calls or SMS); (6) Facebook for expat groups, local events, and community information.

Register for the SIMPL online tax portal

SIMPL (finances.gov.tn) is Tunisia's official online tax portal for filing income tax returns, paying TVA, and managing tax declarations. If you are self-employed or a business owner, register with your Identifiant Fiscal. Employed workers can also use SIMPL to access their tax certificates (attestation fiscale). Registration requires your Identifiant Fiscal and a verified Tunisian email address.

Research schooling options for your children

Tunisia offers several schooling options for expat children: ACST (American Cooperative School of Tunis, USD 8,000–18,000/year), ISC Carthage (DT 12,000–25,000/year), Mission Laïque Française / Lycée Français de Tunis (French programme, AEFE, DT 8,000–18,000/year), and French-curriculum private schools at DT 3,000–10,000/year. Tunisian public schools are free but taught entirely in Arabic.

Register with ANETI and online job portals

Register with ANETI (Agence Nationale pour l'Emploi et le Travail Indépendant) as a job seeker. Use tanitjobs.com and keejob.com for Tunisia-specific job listings. LinkedIn is growing in Tunisia for professional roles. Prepare your CV in French (not English) for most Tunisian employers. Remember: an Autorisation de Travail must be arranged by your employer before you can start work.

Register your foreign marriage in Tunisia

If you were married abroad and need your marriage recognised in Tunisia (e.g., for your spouse's Titre de Séjour as a dependant), you must present an apostilled and certified-translated marriage certificate. Tunisian law does not recognise same-sex marriages. Marriage between a Tunisian Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man is not legally recognised under the CSP (Statut Personnel).

Continue home-country pension contributions during Tunisia stay

CNSS (Tunisian pension) has no totalization agreement with most non-French countries. To avoid gaps in your home-country pension entitlement, maintain voluntary contributions to your home country system during your Tunisia residency. UK: Class 3 NI voluntary contributions (Class 2 abolished April 2026). France: coordinated automatically via bilateral agreement. US: consult a financial adviser as earned income abroad rules apply.

Register with a private doctor (médecin généraliste)

Identify a French-speaking (ideally English-speaking) private general practitioner in your area before you need one urgently. Consultations at private GPs: DT 30–60. Emergency: go directly to a private clinic's urgences. CHU (public teaching hospitals) can handle emergencies but are crowded. Ask your employer or the "Expats in Tunisia" Facebook group for recommendations.

Set up utilities (STEG electricity, SONEDE water)

If moving into a property where utilities are in your name, register with STEG (Société Tunisienne de l'Électricité et du Gaz) for electricity and with SONEDE (Société Nationale d'Exploitation et de Distribution des Eaux) for water. Many furnished rentals include utilities in the rent — confirm with your landlord. LPG gas cylinders (bonbonne de gaz) are purchased and exchanged at local hanout (corner shops) — budget DT 8–12 per cylinder.

Apply for a Titre de Séjour Retraité (retiree residence permit)

Foreign retirees aged 60+ can apply for a Titre de Séjour specifically for retirees. Requirements: proof of regular foreign pension income of approximately USD 1,000–1,500/month or more, health insurance, and a criminal record certificate. The retiree residence permit does not require a work permit or employment. Tunisia's low cost of living makes it an attractive retirement destination.

Arrange home contents insurance

Home contents insurance (assurance multirisque habitation) covers theft, fire, water damage, and liability. Tunisia's crime rate is low but theft from furnished apartments does occur. Annual cost: DT 80–200 for a standard apartment. For owned property, a homeowner's policy (assurance propriétaire) is recommended. Your landlord's property insurance does not cover your personal belongings.

Learn basic Tunisian Darija phrases

Tunisian Darija (spoken Tunisian Arabic) is essential for authentic daily life: markets, taxis, neighbours, tradespeople. Even 50 basic phrases — greetings, numbers, colours, directions — will be deeply appreciated by Tunisians and transform your daily experience. The free Peace Corps Tunisian Arabic manual (PDF) is the best starting resource.

Enroll in a French course (Alliance Française or IFT)

French is the language of Tunisian professional life, healthcare, and bureaucracy. If your French is below B1, a structured course is a high-return investment. Both Alliance Française and the Institut Français de Tunisie offer DELF/DALF exam preparation and standard courses. DELF B2 is the most useful level for professional use in Tunisia.

Understand your rights as a foreign resident under Tunisian law

Foreign residents have legal protections in Tunisia that are worth knowing before you need them. Key rights: (1) Tenancy — your landlord cannot evict you without a court order (Code des Obligations et des Contrats); a 2-month deposit is the legal maximum; (2) Employment — your employer cannot dismiss you without following Code du Travail procedures; report violations to the Inspection du Travail for free; (3) Police — you are entitled to consular notification if arrested; (4) The UGTT (main trade union) provides free employment law advice. The ONAT (Bar Association) can refer you to a qualified avocat if you need paid legal representation.

Register your pet with a local Tunisian vet

Find a local veterinarian after arrival and register your pet. Annual vaccinations (rabies, DHPP, leptospirosis for dogs; FVRCP, rabies for cats) must be maintained in Tunisia. Vet quality varies — seek recommendations from the expat community. Annual heartworm prevention and flea/tick treatment are important given Tunisia's warm climate.

Register for an Identifiant Fiscal (tax ID)

If you are self-employed, freelancing, or running any business activity in Tunisia, you must register for an Identifiant Fiscal (tax identification number) with the DGCI. Employed workers are registered by their employer. The Identifiant Fiscal is required for all official transactions: invoicing, tax filing, CNSS registration as self-employed, and business bank accounts.

File your annual income tax declaration (IRPPN)

Employees with only one employer are automatically taxed via payroll (retenue à la source) and typically do not need to file a separate annual return. Self-employed workers, freelancers, and those with multiple income sources must file an annual IRPPN declaration by 25 April each year via the SIMPL portal (finances.gov.tn) or at their local Centre de Contrôle des Impôts.

Install Bolt and InDriver ride-hailing apps

Bolt and InDriver are the essential transport apps for daily life in Tunis. Both are significantly cheaper and more reliable than hailing street taxis. Bolt uses fixed pricing; InDriver allows fare negotiation. A typical cross-city ride: DT 5–15. Airport to city centre: DT 15–25. Both apps work with international cards or cash.

Exchange your driving licence at the DTSR

Foreign driving licences are valid in Tunisia for tourist stays. Residents with a Titre de Séjour must convert to a Tunisian permis de conduire. EU, US, UK, Canadian, and Australian licences can be exchanged directly (no test required). Most other nationalities may need a theory and/or practical test. Apply at the DTSR in your governorate.

Claim CNSS family allowances for dependent children

CNSS-registered employees with dependent children receive small monthly family allowances (DT 8–15 per child per month, up to 3 children). These are very modest but should be claimed. Register your children at the CNSS regional office with their birth certificates. Allowances are paid as part of your monthly CNSS calculation.

Claim CNSS maternity allowance after childbirth

CNSS pays a maternity daily allowance of 2/3 of average salary for 30 days (vaginal birth) or 60 days (C-section, multiple birth, premature). Apply at the CNSS regional office after birth with the birth certificate. Minimum qualifying condition: 80 days of CNSS contributions in the 12 months before birth.