Your first 90 days in Tunisia: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Currency convertibility is the practical constraint — bringing money in is easy, taking it out requires the right account type and documentation from the start. Declare significant sums on entry and keep the exchange receipts; they are what allow you to convert back later.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply for the carte de séjour at the local police station or National Guard post covering your address
Before your permitted stay expires — most nationalities get 90 days visa-free, and the residence file should be lodged well inside it
The file wants a lease, proof of means, a medical certificate and passport copies, and is handled locally rather than centrally, so requirements vary by station. Overstay penalties are charged per week and are enforced at departure.
Get your Matricule fiscal (tax identification number)
Employment, business activity and any filing with the Direction Générale des Impôts require it.
Registered with the tax administration once you hold residence; CNSS social-security registration is separate and handled through the employer.
Open a bank account
BIAT, Amen Bank and Attijari open accounts for residents. The critical distinction is between a resident dinar account and a non-resident convertible account — the dinar is not convertible, and only a convertible account lets you repatriate funds. Ask for the non-resident convertible account by name if you are bringing money in.
Enrol in healthcare
The CNAM scheme covers contributors and their families through public hospitals and contracted private providers. Private clinics in Tunis and Sousse are good and inexpensive, and Tunisia has a substantial medical-tourism sector. Most foreign residents combine a local private plan with international cover.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted for the first year of residence; conversion afterwards runs through the transport ministry, with French and several other licences exchanging on paper. Driving is on the right.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Tunisia: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Tunisia?
Apply for the carte de séjour at the local police station or National Guard post covering your address — Before your permitted stay expires — most nationalities get 90 days visa-free, and the residence file should be lodged well inside it. The file wants a lease, proof of means, a medical certificate and passport copies, and is handled locally rather than centrally, so requirements vary by station. Overstay penalties are charged per week and are enforced at departure. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the Matricule fiscal and do I need one?
Matricule fiscal (tax identification number) is Tunisia's personal tax/ID number. Employment, business activity and any filing with the Direction Générale des Impôts require it. Registered with the tax administration once you hold residence; CNSS social-security registration is separate and handled through the employer.
Can I drive in Tunisia on a US license?
A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted for the first year of residence; conversion afterwards runs through the transport ministry, with French and several other licences exchanging on paper. Driving is on the right. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Tunisia?
The CNAM scheme covers contributors and their families through public hospitals and contracted private providers. Private clinics in Tunis and Sousse are good and inexpensive, and Tunisia has a substantial medical-tourism sector. Most foreign residents combine a local private plan with international cover. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Tunisia's system treats foreign residents.