Our quick reference guides have vital information on pay, benefits, tax and visas - everything you need to work and live in Tunisia:
Foreign workers are subject to Tunisian law. While employment contracts are very rigid, hiring and discharge conditions are relatively flexible.
There are two different work week regimens. You can either work 40 hours or 48 hours a week.
To note: In Tunisia from the 1st of June to the 1st of September work starts at 7am and ends at 2pm (this is called “sens unique”).
Every year, from January the first, income tax is charged on the previous year's earnings. Residents are charged on earnings made in Tunisia. Any resident (whoever lives at least 183 days a year in Tunisia, continuously or not) will pay a personal tax (called “Impôt sur le revenu des personnes physiques”) based on income group. For instance, if you earn between 20,000 and 50,000 TND you will have to pay 30% of your yearly income.
A visa can be required for short business stays but some countries do not need it. You can check out which ones on the Tunisian Embassy Website.
To apply for a one-year employment visa, renewable for one year only, you need to lodge a request with:
Ministère Tunisien de l’Intérieur
Habib Bourguiba Avenue
Tunis
Tel: 216 71 330 000
Email: mint@ministeres.tn
Tunisia offers miles of sparkling beaches, wind surfing, cool Mediterranean breezes, incredible ancient sites, legendary cities, golf, great food, good shopping and a lively nightlife.
People who live there say Tunisia is a very relaxed country to live in, with a good café culture, exotic ambience and some new development of roads, marinas and hotels.
Tunisia is more prosperous than its neighbours and has strong trade links with Europe.
The healthcare system is quite good in Tunisia. There are no dangerous illnesses to be aware of and no particular vaccines are required. Nevertheless, you should drink mineral water only. If you are sick, as soon as you pay cash, you will get appropriate treatment.
Hospitals are up to developed-country standards. If you plan to work in Tunisia, you will have to register with the social insurance department, but you should get appropriate health insurance in your home country. Private care is increasingly common in the country. The medical equipment in private clinics is modern. You will be able to find any medication needed in Tunisian chemists' shops.
It is quite easy and quick to open a bank account - you will need an ID card and a proof of residency. There are about twenty different bank brand names in Tunisia. The Central Bank website has a list of all the financial institutions (French only). Most of the banks will offer cheques and bank cards. French is widely used in banks. You can check the Visa or MasterCard ATM locator page for the location of ATMs in Tunisia.
Lots of accommodations are available for foreigners working in Tunisia. Most of them are located in North Tunis or in Mutuelleville and El Menzah. To rent a place, you will have to sign a contract and most probably pay a bond. There are some real estate agencies but it is advised to seek accommodation lists in embassies.
In addition, there are classified ads in the daily papers like La Presse, Le Renouveau, and Le Temps.
Rentals are still quite affordable in Tunisia.
You can take internal flights via Tunisair and Sevenair. These companies will bring you to the main cities. There are two main bus companies in Tunisia (SNTRI and STCI), but altogether there are ten companies. Most of them cover rural transport as well, including the most remote villages.
There are regular bus and railway services between the main cities and Tunis. Long drive buses and trains schedules are listed in Le Temps and La Presse newspapers. Buses are quite slow. Train services are faster and more convenient.
You will also notice all kinds of mini-vans in Tunisia called “voiture de louage”. They go anywhere you want as soon as they are full. There is a “voiture de louage” station in each city.
Taxis are used commonly in Tunis and the metro is also widely used. If you want to drive your own car, you need an international driving licence.
The currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND).
Tunisia is an attractive country compared to European countries, as the cost of living is rather low. Food is five times cheaper than in France, for instance. However, it is still one of the most expensive countries in Africa.
Imported products and appliances, hi-fi equipment and computers, etc. are more expensive than in Europe.
