Labor market
According to countryvv, a work permit is required to take up work in the country. Often the future employer will help. Obtaining a work permit can be difficult, especially in the tourism sector, as it has to be proven that the desired job cannot be filled by a Tunisian employee.
Further information can be obtained from the Tunisian Ministry of Labor:
Ministère de l’Emploi
Bureau des Etrangers
10, Avenue Guled Haffouz
1005 Tunis
Tel.: 00216-71-798.196
To start working in Tunisia, you should have at least a basic knowledge of Tunisian and French. Test here for free how well you speak and understand Tunisian (takes about 3 minutes).
Cost of living
The cost of living is much cheaper than in Germany. Restaurant visits can be afforded here just as much as some other things that are already luxury elsewhere.
You need around € 1,372.17 in Tunis to maintain the same standard of living that you could have in Berlin with € 3,800.00 (assuming you rent in the cities).
- Consumer prices in Tunis are 55.59% lower than in Berlin (excluding rent)
- Consumer prices in Tunis are 63.89% lower than in Berlin (including rent)
- The rental prices in Tunis are 81.73% lower than in Berlin
- Restaurant prices in Tunis are 70.74% lower than in Berlin
- Food prices in Tunis are 49.02% lower than in Berlin
- The local purchasing power in Tunis is 71.77% lower than in Berlin
Average cost of living in Tunis (from 08/2020 – 07/2021)
| Restaurant | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Food, price w. restaurant | 2.43 | 1.52-3.65 |
| Middle class, 3 courses for 2 people. | 15.19 | 9.12-24.31 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l | 1.52 | 0.76-2.89 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 l | 1.98 | 1.06-2.43 |
| cappuccino | 0.69 | 0.36-1.37 |
| Coca / Pepsi (0.33 l) | 0.54 | 0.36 – 1.06 |
| Water (0.33 l) | 0.24 | 0.15-0.61 |
| Food | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Milk (1 L) | 0.38 | 0.35-0.41 |
| White bread (500g) | 0.14 | 0.06-0.76 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 0.61 | 0.44-0.91 |
| Eggs (12) | 0.91 | 0.36 – 1.17 |
| Local cheese (1kg) | 7.45 | 3.04-12.16 |
| Chicken breast fillet (1kg) | 3.50 | 1.52-4.86 |
| Beef (1kg) | 8.66 | 6.99-10.64 |
| Apples (1kg) | 1.37 | 0.61-1.82 |
| Bananas (1kg) | 1.51 | 1.37-1.82 |
| Oranges (1kg) | 0.65 | 0.30-1.15 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 0.49 | 0.23-0.67 |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 0.45 | 0.18-0.63 |
| Onions (1kg) | 0.45 | 0.24-0.76 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 0.29 | 0.18-0.46 |
| Water (1.5 l) | 0.22 | 0.18-0.24 |
| Bottle of wine (middle class) | 4.86 | 3.65-9.12 |
| Local beer (0.5 l) | 0.83 | 0.60-1.22 |
| Imported beer (0.33 l) | 0.88 | 0.61-1.31 |
Average costs for local transport, utilities, clothing, leisure, education of Tunis (from 08/2020 – 07/2021)
| Mode of Transport | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| One-time ticket | 0.18 | 0.15-0.36 |
| Monthly pass | 13.68 | 9.12-21.40 |
| Taxi base amount | 0.18 | 0.15-0.24 |
| Taxi 1 km | 0.30 | 0.21-0.46 |
| Ancillary housing costs | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| for 85 sqm apartment (electricity, water, garbage, etc. | 40.78 | 22.60-75.97 |
| 1 minute prepaid mobile tariff | 0.07 | 0.02-0.09 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable / ADSL) | 17.06 | 9.12-30.39 |
| Clothes, shoes | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | 43.24 | 19.75-75.97 |
| Summer dress (Zara, H&M,… | 43.75 | 24.31-85.09 |
| Nike sports shoes, middle class | 76.23 | 45.58-106.36 |
| Leather business shoes | 58.46 | 30.39-85.09 |
| leisure time | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Fitness center, month / adult | 23.72 | 18.23-36.47 |
| Tennis, 1 hour on weekends | 7.83 | 3.04-12.16 |
| a movie ticket | 3.65 | 3.04-4.56 |
| training | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Preschool / Kindergarten, private, whole day, monthly per child | 86.16 | 54.70-112.44 |
| International primary school per year and child | 1,965.98 | 1,367.54-3,038.97 |
Average rental prices / purchase and salaries of Tunis (from 08/2020 – 07/2021)
| Monthly rental price | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city center | 189.57 | 121.56-258.31 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the center | 132.61 | 75.97-212.73 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city center | 330.83 | 243.12-547.02 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the center | 222.12 | 151.95-455.85 |
| Purchase price of apartments | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Price per square meter for an apartment in the city – purchase | 769.24 | 607.79 – 1,063.64 |
| Price per square meter – apartment outside the center – purchase | 580.91 | 455.85-820.52 |
| wages | Ø € Price | € Price from / to |
| Average monthly salary (after taxes) | 266.33 | – |
Real estate acquisition
Foreign nationals can in principle acquire real estate in Tunisia (except for agricultural land). In order to conclude a legally effective property transaction, however, the prior consent of the locally responsible governor is required!
Emigration and life in Tunisia
The country is very popular for retirees and those who have a steady income. It is not easy for younger people due to the difficult labor market situation. Some advantages of the country: relatively safe from natural disasters, free of nuclear power, low cost of living (LHK-I 39.8).
