Legal Services for Foreign Nationals in Tunisia

Residence permits and administrative regularisation

Building a residence file depends on the stated purpose: salaried activity, company management, investment, studies, family situation, retirement, or another basis provided for by applicable texts. The documents required and their period of validity can vary depending on the case and the authority concerned.

The firm checks the available documents, identifies what is missing and assists with filing and following up the application before the relevant authorities. This helps ensure that the application is coherent, but it does not guarantee that a permit will be issued or renewed.

Salaried work and professional activity

Employing a foreign national may require a contract meeting specific conditions, a visa or authorisation from the competent administration, and a residence permit corresponding to the activity carried out. Distinct regimes may apply to directors, investors, experts, or seconded employees.

The firm reviews the proposed employment or professional arrangement, prepares the legal documents within its engagement and, where necessary, coordinates with the company, the labour authorities and other relevant bodies.

A business or investment project requires a separate review of its legal and tax structure before relocation or financial commitment.

Buying property as a foreign national

A foreign national’s proposed property purchase must be assessed in light of the buyer’s nationality and the property’s nature, intended use and location. Administrative authorisation may be required. Agricultural land and property subject to a special regime require particular care.

Before signing a preliminary agreement or making payment, the firm reviews available title and registration information, the seller’s rights, existing entries and the conditions stated in the proposed deed. Where relevant, it assists with authorisation procedures and contract drafting as part of the broader legal checks required for property in Tunisia.

Marriage to a Tunisian national

A mixed marriage requires civil-status records and certificates that comply with Tunisian requirements and those of the foreign country concerned. The procedure differs depending on whether the marriage takes place in Tunisia or abroad.

The firm assists with preparing the file and completing the marriage, registration or recognition formalities, depending on where the marriage is celebrated and the nationality of the future spouses. It also checks any translation, legalisation or apostille requirements.

Divorce, child custody, and maintenance

The breakdown of a mixed-nationality marriage raises questions of jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition of decisions. The residence of the spouses and children, the location of assets and any foreign proceedings must be examined before action is taken.

Where Tunisian courts have jurisdiction, the firm represents parties in proceedings concerning divorce, maintenance, child custody and contact arrangements, taking account of the family’s circumstances.

Inheritance involving a foreign element

The death of a foreigner owning assets in Tunisia, or that of a Tunisian leaving foreign heirs, requires identifying the rules applicable to each category of assets. The deceased’s nationality, the place where the succession opens, the location and nature of the assets, and conflict-of-law rules can all affect how the case is handled.

The firm prepares the documents required for proceedings in Tunisia, coordinates supporting records with the relevant professionals and, where the case requires, works with a qualified professional in the other country concerned.

Preparing your file before arriving in Tunisia

Some steps can be prepared remotely, including document review, review of a draft contract, preparation of a power of attorney and legal due diligence on a property. Whether a step can be completed without the client attending in person depends on its nature and on the requirements of the relevant authority, bank or professional.

Frequently useful documents include a passport, recent civil status documents, proof of address and resources, professional documents, and documents relating to the real estate or entrepreneurial project. The final list is only established after reviewing the situation.

For the initial contact, state your nationality, country of residence, intended date of entry or settlement and specific objective. Attach only legible copies of documents already available; translation, apostille and legalisation requirements will be checked before you incur unnecessary expense.

Have your project reviewed before starting the process

Send a summary of your situation, nationality, basis for residence or proposed transaction and the documents already available. The firm will confirm whether it can act and identify the Tunisian formalities, possible authorisations and any steps requiring your attendance. Scope and fees are agreed before work begins.

Legal references: Law no. 68-7 of 8 March 1968 on the status of foreign nationals in Tunisia; Decree no. 68-198 of 22 June 1968 regulating their entry and stay, as amended and supplemented notably by Decree no. 92-716 of 20 April 1992; Labour Code, as amended and supplemented, including its provisions on the employment of foreign workers; Code of Private International Law and sector-specific legislation applicable to the activity or property concerned.

Notice: this page provides general information and is not tailored legal advice. Contacting the firm does not, by itself, create a lawyer–client relationship or suspend any statutory, court or administrative deadline. Any engagement is subject to a conflict check and agreement on scope and fees. No outcome or procedural timeframe can be guaranteed.