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Before you go to Tunisia: what to know

Must know

  • The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency: you may not take dinars out. Keep official exchange receipts to reconvert leftovers at the airport.
  • Declare foreign currency on arrival as required and keep the form — undeclared cash can be confiscated.
  • Drones without authorisation are illegal and confiscated until departure.
  • Overstaying the visa-free period is fined at departure; make sure your passport is undamaged.
  • Same-sex relations are criminalised; don't photograph police, military or government buildings.

Entry and visas

Visa-free for tourism for UK (90 days), US, most EU states (Cyprus needs a visa), Russia, China, Turkey and UAE citizens, with a passport and return ticket. Citizens of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan and India are visa-exempt only on an organised tour with a hotel voucher; otherwise get a visa at an embassy. There is no working e-visa system.

Passport validity: Valid for the whole stay; some airlines ask for 6 months. Damaged passports can cause problems on exit.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Declare foreign currency if required and keep the declaration.
  • Keep all bank/exchange receipts until departure.

Customs

  • Import and export of Tunisian dinars prohibited.
  • Drones confiscated unless authorised.
  • Carry prescriptions for medicines; check controlled drugs with a Tunisian embassy.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, worldtravelguide.net ↗, bct.gov.tn ↗

Money

Mostly cash is used. Cards are rarely accepted.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard

Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data

Where to exchange money

  • Banks and official exchange offices (rates are regulated and similar everywhere)
  • Bank ATMs in cities and resorts

Where not to exchange

  • Unofficial street exchange (illegal)
  • Exchanging more than you'll spend — reconversion is restricted

ATMs: ATMs in cities and resort towns accept Visa/Mastercard; local banks may charge a fee. Few ATMs in the south and desert.

Tipping: Round up or leave ~10% in restaurants; small tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff.

  • Cards work in big hotels and some shops; markets, taxis and cafés are cash only.
  • Keep exchange receipts — required for any reconversion before departure.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, bct.gov.tn ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Drones without authorisation
  • Taking Tunisian dinars out of the country
  • Same-sex sexual relations
  • Photographing police, military and government sites
  • Any drugs, including cannabis

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • Alcohol only in licensed hotels, bars and restaurants.
  • Avoid demonstrations; criticism of the authorities online can be prosecuted.
  • During Ramadan avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daytime.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Sunni Muslim; relatively liberal in cities and resorts.

Clothing: Beachwear only at beaches/pools. Cover shoulders and knees in medinas, villages and religious sites; women cover hair where required.

Etiquette

  • Non-Muslims may only enter certain mosques (e.g. courtyard of the Great Mosque of Kairouan).
  • Bargain in souks; fixed prices in state craft shops.
  • Ask before photographing people.
  • French and Arabic are widely spoken.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Climate

Mediterranean in the north and on the coast (hot dry summers, mild wet winters); Saharan in the south with very hot days and cold winter nights.

Month by month
  • January: Jan: Tunis ~7–16°C, rainy spells
  • February: Feb: mild, rainy
  • March: Mar: mild, spring starts
  • April: Apr: pleasant, good for Sahara
  • May: May: warm, ideal
  • June: Jun: hot, beach season
  • July: Jul: hot, 33°C+; desert extreme
  • August: Aug: hottest, crowded resorts
  • September: Sep: hot, warm sea
  • October: Oct: warm, ideal
  • November: Nov: mild, Sahara trips good
  • December: Dec: cool, rain in the north

Best season: April–June and September–October; desert trips October–April.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: en.wikipedia.org ↗

What to pack

  • EUR cash (most widely exchanged)
  • Modest clothing for medinas
  • Sun protection
  • Warm layer for desert nights
  • Scarf for religious sites

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Drones
  • Dinars bought abroad (illegal import)
  • Revealing clothing outside resorts

Practical

Plugs: Type C/E, 230 V, 50 Hz

Water: Tap water is treated but bottled water is recommended for visitors.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: Ooredoo, Orange and Tunisie Telecom SIMs with a passport.

Apps: Google Maps, Maps.me

Health: No compulsory vaccinations; hepatitis A and typhoid advised.

Insurance: Not required for visa-free visitors; travel insurance recommended.

Emergency: 197 police, 190 ambulance (SAMU), 198 fire

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.