From January 1, 2025, European tourists will no longer be able to travel to Tunisia with their national identity card, and will have to present a passport valid for at least three months to visit the country.
As of January 1, 2025, Tunisia will require all foreigners entering the country to present a passport valid for more than three months.
This new regulation, confirmed by the Tunisian Embassy in France and French diplomacy, marks a significant change in entry procedures for international travelers, particularly for nationals of certain countries who were previously able to use their national identity card (CNI) to enter the country.
Passports for travel to Tunisia: a major change for European tourists
Until now, citizens of European countries have been able to travel to Tunisia without a passport, provided they were traveling as part of an organized tour or through an approved travel agency. This flexibility, which will come to an end on December 31, 2024, facilitated tourist stays and encouraged trade between Tunisia and European Union countries. All travelers had to do was present their CNI along with a document proving their registration for an organized trip (voucher, hotel reservation, return ticket on a scheduled or charter flight, etc.).
With this new measure, travelers will now need to ensure that they have a passport valid for at least three months before planning their stay in Tunisia, whether for tourism, business or family purposes. This change puts an end to an exception that has lasted for several years.
Implications for travelers
This change means that travelers will need to plan ahead.
Those who don’t have a passport, or whose passport has expired, will have to start the administrative formalities, which may take several weeks depending on delays in their country of origin.
For travel agencies and tour operators, this new rule could lead to a temporary drop in bookings, particularly from tourists accustomed to traveling with their single passport. However, they will have to adapt by raising awareness among their customers and helping them to prepare the required documents.
What to do to prepare?
To avoid any disappointment, travelers planning to visit Tunisia after January 1, 2025 are advised to :
- Check the validity of their passport and renew it if necessary.
- Contact Tunisian embassies or consulates if you have any questions about the new entry requirements.
- Allow sufficient time for administrative formalities before departure.
A parallel innovation: the electronic visa
In addition to the passport requirement, Tunisia is preparing to introduce an electronic visa system, or e-Visa, in the near future.
This system will enable travelers to submit their visa applications online, thereby reducing processing times and simplifying administrative procedures. This future system aims to modernize consular services and make access to Tunisian territory faster and more convenient, particularly for tourists and business people. This initiative, which is part of a drive to digitalize procedures, should enhance Tunisia’s attractiveness as a globally competitive destination.