Traveling to Tunisia

What to do before you leave, checked against official sources.

Country

Passport

No visa needed

With a US passport, you can stay in Tunisia for up to 90 days without a visa.

Entry and visa

Visa depends on your nationality, passport valid 3 months

Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Check with the passport selector above or with a Tunisian embassy or consulate.
For French travelers: no visa for a stay of up to 3 months.
According to France Diplomatie, since January 1, 2025, all visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 3 months from their date of entry into Tunisia. It must also remain valid for your entire stay. If in doubt, check with a Tunisian embassy or consulate.
Use a passport rather than an ID card. Travelers carrying only an ID card have been refused boarding on ferries leaving Tunisia.
Beyond 3 months, you need a visa and a residence card issued by the Ministry of the Interior. Overstaying usually means paying a fine before you can leave the country.
For French travelers: a parent traveling with their French children does not need an authorization. If the family names differ, bring the family record book.
For French Tunisian dual nationals: enter and leave on a valid Tunisian passport, and keep a valid French document for your return to France.

No required vaccines, beware of rabies

No vaccine is required for entry. Bring your routine vaccinations up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles).
Hepatitis A is recommended. Typhoid, hepatitis B and rabies are worth discussing depending on the length and conditions of your stay.
There is no malaria in Tunisia. West Nile virus, spread by mosquitoes, circulates: protect yourself from bites.
Rabies cases are rising, with many stray dogs near the big cities. Avoid all contact with animals and see a doctor right away after a bite or scratch.
Drink only bottled water with an intact seal, filtered water or boiled water, and avoid raw vegetables, shellfish and cold buffets.
Be careful with medical tourism, especially cosmetic surgery: complications after operations have been reported.
Insurance covering all medical costs and repatriation is essential. Your embassy cannot pay these costs.

Tunisian dinar, declare your foreign currency

The currency is the Tunisian dinar (DT).
Declare your foreign cash on arrival. Without a declaration, a non-resident can only take out the equivalent of 5,000 dinars (about €1,500), and customs enforce this rule strictly.
Exchange offices are plentiful and accept convertible currencies.
ATMs are available in most towns. Check your withdrawal and payment limits with your bank.
International cards are accepted in most hotels and tourist spots, but rarely in small shops and restaurants.

Avoid the Saharan south and the west-central mountains

According to the French foreign ministry (France Diplomatie), travel is strongly advised against in: the far Saharan south near the Libyan and Algerian borders (military zone), the west-central mountains near Algeria (Orbata, Selloum, Semema, Chambi, Mghila) and the town of Ben Guerdane.
Advised against unless essential: the desert south and east of the line through Bir Rjim Maatoug, Borj Bourguiba and Ben Guerdane, the area around the west-central mountains, rural areas between Kasserine, Sbeïtla, Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa off the main roads, and a 5 km strip along the Algerian border in the governorates of Jendouba and Le Kef.
The rest of the country is under increased vigilance. A state of emergency has been in force since 2015 and the terrorist risk remains: keep away from security forces, crowds and demonstrations.
Watch your bags and valuables, especially at tourist sites, and avoid deserted places at night. Racist attacks have been reported in Tunis, Sfax and Gabès.
Be careful on the road, especially around two-wheelers, and avoid driving off the main roads at night.
Emergencies: police 197, civil protection 198, SAMU (ambulance) 190.
Also check your own government's travel advice, which may be stricter.
For French travelers: French embassy, +216 31 315 000.

Arabic and French, type C/E plugs, UTC+1

Arabic is the official language. French is widely used.
Type C and E plugs, 230 V and 50 Hz.
Tunisia is on UTC+1 all year: same time as Paris in winter, 1 hour behind in summer. The dialing code is +216.
The speed limit is 110 km/h on highways and 90 km/h elsewhere. Driving at night is strongly discouraged.
Drug offenses are punished very severely, even for small amounts. Homosexuality is a criminal offense (article 230 of the penal code).
Dress modestly; topless sunbathing is prohibited. Wild camping can lead to prosecution. Drones require authorization.

Spring and fall for sightseeing

In Tunis, the hot season runs from mid-June to mid-September. August is the hottest month, with about 34 °C during the day and 22 °C at night.
The cool season runs from late November to late March. In January, expect about 16 °C during the day and 8 °C at night.
Most rain falls between fall and spring. October is the wettest month in Tunis.
For sightseeing, WeatherSpark gives the most pleasant periods as mid-April to late June and late September to mid-November.
The national holiday, Independence Day, is on March 20.

Rules can change without notice: before you leave, always check with the embassy of Tunisia and your own government's travel advice.