Tunisia entry requirements for United Kingdom passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
British passport holders can visit Tunisia for tourism or business stays up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. This policy applies in 2026.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Tunisia. Airlines at UK airports check this before boarding — if your passport expires before you leave, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Tunisia | Immigration officers at Tunis-Carthage Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Budget airlines like Tunisair and Nouvelair check this at check-in too — have a printed copy or a screenshot ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers sometimes ask where you're staying, especially if you're arriving solo or on a one-way ticket. A printed hotel confirmation or a letter from your host covers this. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during your stay | Immigration may ask how you'll fund your trip. Have a bank statement or credit card ready — around £50 per day is a safe benchmark, though they rarely enforce a fixed amount. | Recommended |
Passport validity is strictly enforced
Airlines check your passport validity before you board. If you have less than 6 months left from your entry date, you'll be turned away at the gate. No exceptions.
Keep documents accessible on arrival
Immigration at Tunis-Carthage Airport can ask for your return ticket and hotel booking. Have them saved on your phone or printed — fumbling through emails can slow things down.
What happens at the border
1
Prepare your documents
Before you leave, check your passport is valid for 6+ months from entry. Print or save to your phone: your return flight booking, first night hotel confirmation, and travel insurance details.
2
Arrive at Tunis-Carthage Airport (or other entry point)
At immigration, join the 'Foreign Passports' queue. Hand over your passport. The officer may ask for your return ticket and hotel booking — have them ready on your phone. They'll stamp you in for up to 90 days. The whole process usually takes 5–15 minutes.
3
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. There's usually nothing to declare for personal items. Exit into the arrivals hall.
Download Tunisia Entry Checklist
PDF · United Kingdom Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, extendable
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$50 USD
For stays beyond the visa-free period; apply at Tunisian embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months
Cost~$100 USD
Allows multiple entries; useful for frequent travellers.
Long-stay visa
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost~$150 USD
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsor.
retirement visa
Tunisian Retirement Visa
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD application fee
For retirees over 55 with proof of sufficient pension or savings. Requires a local sponsor or property lease. Allows long-term residence.
work visa
Tunisian Work Visa
1 year, renewable
~$200 USD application fee
For those with a job offer from a Tunisian employer. Requires employer sponsorship and approval from the Ministry of Labour.
student visa
Tunisian Student Visa
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD application fee
For enrolled students at a Tunisian university or language school. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are assessed at the airport; maximum cap may apply. | ~30 TND (~$10 USD) per day |
| Tourist visa (single entry, for longer stays)Available at Tunisian embassies for stays beyond 90 days. | ~$50 USD equivalent |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)For multiple entries over a longer period; apply at embassy. | ~$100 USD equivalent |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Overstay history20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Tunisia
No transit visa needed
UK passport holders transiting through Tunisia do not need a visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward flight within 24 hours.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsTunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN) · Monastir Habib Bourguiba International Airport (MIR) · Djerba–Zarzis International Airport (DJE)
Health & vaccines for Tunisia
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Common due to contaminated food/water; practice safe eating and drinking.
Mosquito-borne diseases (dengue, West Nile)Low risk
Low risk for tourists, but use repellent in rural areas.
RabiesLow risk
Risk from animal bites; avoid stray animals and seek immediate medical care if bitten.
Malaria risk: low
Risk is very low in tourist areas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended. Use mosquito repellent at dawn/dusk.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Tunis
Direction Générale de la Sûreté Nationale (Immigration)
Avenue Habib Bourguiba, Tunis
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency permits.
Sousse
Commissariat Régional de la Sûreté Nationale (Immigration)
Rue de la Liberté, Sousse
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions for tourists in the Sousse area.
Practical information for GB travellers
Country basics
CapitalTunis
LanguageArabic
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 3 months, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyTunisian dinar (TND)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 2.9 TND
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h
vs Los Angeles+9h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,EType C (two round pins) and Type E (two round pins with a hole for the male grounding pin).
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is chlorinated but not recommended for drinking; stick to bottled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No, the 90-day visa-free stay is not extendable. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to leave the country and re-enter, or apply for a longer-term visa from a Tunisian embassy before travel. Overstaying can result in fines or a ban.
If you're staying airside and not passing through immigration, you don't need a visa. But if you plan to leave the airport or stay overnight, the standard 90-day visa-free rule applies.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at the border. Renew your passport before you travel. There are no exceptions for British passport holders.
No, there's no official requirement to show bank statements or cash. However, if an immigration officer suspects you can't support yourself, they may ask. Having a credit card or a few hundred pounds in cash is sensible.
The visa-free entry is for tourism and business (meetings, conferences). Remote work for a foreign employer is technically not allowed, but enforcement is rare. If you plan to work for a Tunisian company, you'll need a work visa.
No vaccinations are mandatory for entry. However, routine vaccines (MMR, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio) are recommended. Hepatitis A and typhoid are advised for most travellers. Check with your GP 4–6 weeks before travel.
Most visits are trouble-free, but there is a risk of terrorism. The Foreign Office advises avoiding certain areas near the borders with Algeria and Libya, and some remote desert regions. Stick to tourist areas like Tunis, Hammamet, Sousse, and Djerba, and stay aware of your surroundings.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.