Includes information on business customs, travel advisory, visa requirements, currency, language, health, local time, business hours and holidays, acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, temporary entry of materials and personal belongings,etc.
Last Published: 7/14/2019

Business Customs

Tunisia is a fairly open society, and most business practices resemble those of Europe.  The business environment is formal.  Business suits are recommended, and company representatives should always have business cards available.  Exchange of inexpensive gifts is common practice, but U.S. business representatives should refrain from offering high-value items.

Travel Advisory

See Tunisia’s Country Specific Information web page 

Visa Requirements

U.S. business travelers generally do not need a visa for stays in Tunisia of less than 90 days.  A traveler who wishes to live and work in Tunisia must appear at the local police station to obtain a residency card.  The Ministry of Development, Investment, and International Cooperation can help expedite the residency and/or work permit process for foreign investors.  By law, these permits are valid for only one year and renewable for one additional year by application.    

The U.S. Embassy in Tunis is committed to facilitating valid business travel by qualified Tunisian nationals to the United States.  Generally, travel that qualifies for a business (B-1) visa includes consultations with business associates; attendance at scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions, or conferences on specific dates; contract negotiations; or participation in short-term training.  Applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance of intended travel.  The Embassy’s website outlines the non-immigrant visa application process and offers links to the required online forms and appointment system.

Visa applicants should reference the following links:

State Department Visa Website 
Embassy Non-immigrant Visa Page  
Visa Appointment Website

Currency

Tunisia’s local currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND), which is divided into 1,000 millimes.  All major credit and debit cards including Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, though cash is the more common means of payment.  Vendors may require additional identification, such as a passport, for use of a credit card.  
 
ATMs are commonplace in cities and towns, on the street, in retail outlets, and at some gas stations.  Visitors should be aware that bank transaction fees may apply.  Traveler’s cheques are not generally accepted for purchases.  Visitors should inquire about the policy of the bank, hotel, or store before seeking to cash a personal check. 
For currency or other numerical quantities, a point (i.e., a period) is commonly used to mark off the thousands position and a comma to denote millime amounts; for example, “1.234.567,890 TND.”

Telecommunications/Electronics

Access to high-quality telecommunications services, particularly high-speed/high-capacity data transmission and the internet, is widely available.  Tunisia uses GSM cellular phone technology, although 3G and 4G network services are available.  Many U.S. cellular companies provide roaming service to Tunisia.  International calling cards do not work in Tunisia.
Five private Internet Service Providers are licensed by the GOT.  Broadband connections have recently been made available to private customers.  In 2018, there were about 9.8 million internet subscribers, 81% of which (8 million) subscribed through smartphones.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) services are available in Tunisia and provided by the telecom operators (Tunisie Telecom, Lycamobil, Ooredoo, and Orange).  The use of VOIP technologies and applications such as Skype and WhatsApp is permitted.

Transportation

Tunisia has relatively well-developed transportation infrastructure that includes eight international airports.  Tunisia’s principal airport gateway is Tunis-Carthage International Airport, situated eight kilometers from the city center.  Other international airports are Monastir-Habib Bourguiba, Djerba-Zarzis, Tozeur-Nefta, Sfax-Thyna, Tabarka, Gafsa-Ksar, and the most recent, Enfidha.  These airports handle tourism-related charter flights from Europe and are mostly seasonal.    

The national airline, Tunisair, started direct flights between Tunis and Montreal in June 2016.  In 2014, Tunisia and China signed an agreement to allow direct flights between the two countries, but scheduled flights have yet to start. 

The railway network is operated by the public sector company Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens, and Société de Transport de Tunis (TransTu) operates the light-metro railway.  TransTu also runs the public urban railway and bus transport system in Tunis.

A 53-mile high-speed train network is under construction in Greater Tunis using EU funding.  It is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019. 
Tunisia’s road network is well developed.  Major toll highways have been constructed, are under construction, or are in the planning phase.  The highways link the major coastal population centers to the interior.

Although overall road and telecom infrastructure in Tunisia is developed, regional disparities exist.  Rural areas in south and central Tunisia lag behind the major urban centers on the coast.

Language

The official language in Tunisia is Arabic, but French is widely spoken and serves as the language of commerce.  An increasing number of Tunisians speak English, Italian, and/or German.

Health

Except when specialized care is required, most illnesses can be treated locally.  Private clinics in Tunis and other major urban centers feature Western-trained physicians.  However, Western-style trauma care is not available.  Food standards are fair, and potable water is available for 84.5% of the population.  Bottled water is inexpensive and readily available.

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Tunisia is GMT+1.  

Business hours are:

Government         
Winter                                                                   
Mon-Thurs           08:30 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 17:30
Friday                    08:00 – 13:00 and 14:30 – 17:30

Ramadan** and Summer (July/August)
Mon-Thurs           08:00 – 15:00
Friday                    07:30 – 13:00

Private Sector* (including banks)
Winter                                                                   Mon-Fri                 8:00 -12:00 and   14:00 -18:00
Summer (July/August)                                      Mon-Fri                 7:00     13:00
Ramadan**                                                           Mon-Fri                 8:00     15:00

* Many private companies are moving towards a shorter break in the middle of the day, with the close of business brought forward to 17:00.

Major Tunisian secular holidays are as follows:

Tunisian Revolution Day and Youth Day                     January 14
Tunisian Independence Day                                           March 20
Martyrs’ Day                                                                        April 9                                                  
Labor Day                                                                            May 1
Republic Day                                                                       July 25
Women's Day                                                                      August 13
Evacuation Day                                                                   October 15

The following religious holidays are also observed.  Actual dates are based on the lunar calendar and vary from year to year (* o/a - on or about).

Dates for 2019 are:
Eid Esseghir (El Fitr) (three days) o/a                         June 4, 5, 6
Aid El Kebir (El-Idha) (two days) o/a                          August 12, 13
Ras El Am El Hijri (one day) o/a                                    September 1  
Mouled (one day) o/a                                                       November 10

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Depending on the legal status of non-residents, temporary entry of materials and personal belongings is permitted.  Companies and individuals should verify regulations applicable to their specific status before attempting to bring items into Tunisia.

Travel Related Web Resources

Ministry of Transportation 
Société de Transport de Tunis (TransTu, Tunis Transport Company)  
Tunisair (National Air Carrier)
Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens (SNCFT, National Railway Company)

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.