Key facts
Key facts for business in Tunisia
The short answer
We could not confirm the company registry’s website for Tunisia. Tax authority: JIBAYA – portail de l'administration fiscale tunisienne (Direction Générale des Impôts). Requirements, fees and timelines change – confirm them with the body concerned and a lawyer admitted in Tunisia before you act.
| Legal system | Civil law (French-based, with Islamic law influence in personal status) |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Arabic |
| Currency | Tunisian dinar (TND) |
| Regional blocs | COMESA, Arab Maghreb Union |
| OHADA business law | No |
| AfCFTA (continental free trade) | Ratified (instrument deposited) |
| New York Convention (arbitral awards) | Party – in force since 1967 |
| ICSID Convention (investment disputes) | Contracting state – in force since 1966 |
| Apostille Convention (public documents) | Party – in force since 30 Mar 2018 |
Treaty status from the official depositary records (UNCITRAL, ICSID, HCCH), regional blocs from their own websites, AfCFTA from tralac – checked October 2026. Not legal advice.
Official bodies
Who does what in Tunisia
| What for | Official body | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Investment promotion | FIPA-Tunisia | investintunisia.tn |
| Tax | JIBAYA – portail de l'administration fiscale tunisienne (Direction Générale des Impôts) | jibaya.tn |
| Work and residence permits | Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle (وزارة التشغيل والتكوين المهني) | emploi.gov.tn |
| Courts and justice | وزارة العدل – الجمهورية التونسية | justice.gov.tn |
We could not confirm an official website for: registering a company, central bank, currency and foreign exchange. We only link to sites we could open and confirm as the body’s own in October 2026.
Each link was opened and checked as the body’s own website in October 2026. Links to official sites only – never to agents or look-alike sites.
Getting started
What foreign businesses usually sort out first
- Choose how you will operate. A subsidiary, a branch, a representative office, or working through a local partner or distributor. The options and their conditions are set by national company law.
- Register the business. Company registration: the national company registry.
- Register for tax. Tax registration: JIBAYA – portail de l'administration fiscale tunisienne (Direction Générale des Impôts).
- Check investment rules and incentives. Some sectors have licensing, local-ownership or registration rules, and some investors qualify for incentives. Investment agency: FIPA-Tunisia.
- Permits for foreign staff. Work and residence permits: Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle (وزارة التشغيل والتكوين المهني).
- Banking and foreign exchange. Rules on accounts, moving money in and out and paying dividends abroad come from the central bank (the central bank) and the banks.
- Contracts and disputes. Agree the governing law, the courts or arbitration seat, and the language. Tunisia is a party to the New York Convention, so arbitral awards made in other member states can be recognized there under it.
A general checklist, not legal advice. What applies to you depends on your sector, structure and nationality.
Law firms
Law firms in Tunisia for business matters
Avocats Tunisiens Réunis (ATR)
Tunis
Bennani & Associés (Tunis office)
Tunis
BERJEBLAWYERS
Tunis
Bettaieb Avocats
Nabeul
Cabinet Achour
Tunis
Cabinet Avocat Latrech (Dr. Brahim Latrech)
Tunis
Cabinet Avocat Sami Jouini (Jouini et Associés)
Mégrine
Cabinet ELAIR & Partenaires
Tunis
Ferchiou & Associés
Tunis
Gide Loyrette Nouel (Tunis)
Tunis
GRATI Avocat
Tunis
Meziou & Elleuch
Tunis
12 firms in Tunisia list corporate, tax, employment or other business work on their own websites. See every firm in Tunisia.
Checking a lawyer in Tunisia
Who admits lawyers: Ordre National des Avocats de Tunisie (ONAT)
Professional title: Avocat (Muhami)
Ask to see the lawyer's ONAT membership card and confirm their registration with the Ordre National des Avocats de Tunisie or its regional section.
We could not confirm every detail from official sources, so use this as a starting point.
Sources: avocat.org.tn. Checked October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Doing business in Tunisia: questions
Is Tunisia a party to the New York Convention?
Yes – in force since 1967 (UNCITRAL status table, checked October 2026).
Does Tunisia accept apostilles?
Yes – Tunisia is a party to the Apostille Convention, in force since 30 Mar 2018 (HCCH status table). A public document from another member state needs only an apostille from the issuing country.
What currency is used in Tunisia?
Tunisian dinar (TND).