Planning a workation in Tunis? Or a business trip to Sfax or Sousse? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Tunisia, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Tunis
Telephone code
+216
Official language
Arabic (French widely used in business)
Currency
Tunisian Dinar (TND)
Time zone
UTC+1
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. Tunisia has social security agreements with several countries, available here, to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
Tunisia has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation. These treaties generally follow international standards and provide guidelines for various types of income, including employment income.
Despite the existence of tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Tunisia. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in Tunisia, the employer may be required to:
- Register the company locally
- Allocate profits to the local business (branch)
- File corporate taxes
- Comply with various local regulations
To avoid this scenario, follow the guidelines mentioned in the "Working" section.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to Tunisia are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Tunisia, here's a quick overview:
- Visa-Free Entry: Many nationalities can enter Tunisia without a visa
- Standard Visa: Required for nationalities not eligible for visa-free entry (postal submission)
- E-Visa: Not available
- Visa on Arrival: Not available for individual travelers
- Digital Nomad Visa: Tunisia does not currently offer a digital nomad visa program.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning business trips to Tunisia:
- Visa-Free Entry: Many nationalities can conduct selected business visits without a visa
- Standard Visa: Required for non-eligible nationalities (postal submission)
- E-Visa: Not available
- Visa on Arrival: Not available
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Tunisia work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 40 hours. The workday is typically running from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break of 1 hour in between. During Ramadan, working hours are typically reduced.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
National holidays:
- January 1: New Year's Day
- March 20: Independence Day
- April 9: Martyrs' Day
- May 1: Labor Day
- July 25: Republic Day
- August 13: Women's Day
- October 15: Evacuation Day
- December 17: Revolution and Youth Day
Islamic holidays (dates vary):
- Eid al-Fitr
- Eid al-Adha
- Islamic New Year
- Prophet's Birthday
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. Tunisia has implemented the Law n° 2004-63 dated July 27, 2004, on the Protection of Personal Data regulates personal data. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as robust. That means the data protection laws are well-established with strong safeguards and regulatory mechanisms. While comprehensive, enforcement may be less stringent in certain areas compared to "heavy" regimes, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
190 (Police), 197 (Ambulance), 198 (Fire)
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Not advisable
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Tunisia for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Travel warnings
Avoid travel to these areas:
- South/Southeast Regions: Areas south or southeast of a line extending from the Algerian border through Tozeur/Nafta, Douz, Ksar Ghilane, Tataouine, and Zarzis.
- Algerian Border: Immediate border regions, especially mountainous areas from El Aioun to Kasserine Province.
- Non-Organized Desert Tours: Individual, unguided trips into the desert.
Terrorism
The risk of terrorist attacks remains high. Past attacks targeted Tunis (including tourist areas), with notable incidents like the La Ghriba Synagogue attack in May 2023.
Heightened risks exist in:
- Mountainous areas near Algeria (e.g., Jebel Chaambi, Jebel Selloum, Jebel Mrhila) due to terrorist clashes and landmines.
- The Ben Guerdane region near the Libyan border.
- Areas south and southeast of Tozeur/Nafta, Douz, Ksar Ghilane, Tataouine, and Zarzis due to kidnapping risks.
Safety recommendations:
- Stay informed through trusted media or travel operators.
- Avoid crowds in public places, tourist attractions, and mosques.
- Avoid unnecessary travel to the west and south near the Sahara periphery.
- If visiting Ben Guerdane, exercise extreme caution.
- Conduct desert excursions or off-road tours only with organized groups led by experienced guides.
Domestic political situation
Since 2021, Tunisia has experienced political centralization under President Saied. Protests—both planned and spontaneous—are frequent, especially in central Tunis on weekends.
Key issues to note:
- Clashes may occur between protesters and security forces.
- The government monitors social media posts under Law Decree 54, with penalties of up to 10 years for spreading "false information."
- Tensions toward foreigners have increased.
Safety recommendations:
- Stay informed about protests and avoid areas of demonstrations.
- Follow all security force instructions and carry ID documents at all times.
- Be aware of the state of emergency, which allows expanded police powers, frequent checks, and movement restrictions.
Restricted and military areas
Certain zones are off-limits, including:
- The southern border area with Algeria.
- A 20-km strip along the entire Libyan border.
Access requires permits from local authorities.
Recommendations:
- Avoid these regions unless absolutely necessary.
- Verify any permits required for travel.
- Monitor advisories for Algeria and Libya to understand regional risks.
Crime
While violent crime is rare, there is a risk of:
- Theft and pickpocketing in crowded areas like souks, bazaars, and public transport.
- Credit card fraud.
- Aggressive begging and scams targeting tourists, especially when asking for directions or using ATMs.
Hotels often partner with unregulated agencies for excursions, which may lack safety standards or adequate insurance coverage.
Safety recommendations:
- Use caution in crowded areas, bazaars, and on public transport.
- Keep cash, IDs, and documents secure; store electronic copies for emergencies.
- Carry minimal cash and avoid displaying valuables.
- Ensure vehicles and insurance are reliable for excursions.
- Verify claims of assistance or requests for help before engaging.
Coastal Regions (Tunis, Sousse):
- Summer temperatures: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Winter temperatures: 8°C to 17°C (46°F to 63°F)
- Mediterranean climate
- High humidity
- Most rainfall in winter
Interior Regions:
- Summer temperatures: 35°C to 45°C (95°F to 113°F)
- Winter temperatures: 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F)
- Semi-arid climate
- Large temperature variations
- Limited rainfall
Southern Desert:
- Daytime temperatures can exceed 45°C (113°F)
- Night temperatures can drop significantly
- Very dry climate
- Minimal rainfall
- Occasional sandstorms
Airports
Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN)
- Location: Tunis
- When to use: Main international hub, business center access
Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport (MIR)
- Location: Monastir
- When to use: Coastal region access, tourist destinations
Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport (NBE)
- Location: Enfidha
- When to use: Tourist regions, seasonal flights
Train stations
Tunisia has a well-developed rail network operated by SNCFT (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens).
Tunis Central Station
- Main connections to major cities
- Suburban rail services (TGM)
- Modern air-conditioned trains
- Regular departures
Main routes
- Tunis-Sousse-Sfax
- Tunis-Gabès
- Tunis-Ghardimaou
- Metro léger (Light rail in Tunis)
Ride-hailing services
- Bolt
- IntiGo
- Yassir
- Local taxi apps
Public transportation
Inter-city services
- SNCFT trains between major cities
- Louage (shared taxis)
- Modern intercity buses
- Private coach services
Urban networks
Tunis
- Metro léger (light rail)
- Public bus network
- TGM suburban train
- Regular taxis
Local transportation
- City buses
- Licensed taxis (yellow in Tunis)
- Louage for regional travel
- Private car services