23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Call 198.
Call 190 or go to the hospital.
Call 197 or 193, or go to the local police.
Do not travel to Tunisia.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Do not travel to the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba, within 30km of the border with Algeria, Mount Chaambi National Park area, including the town of Kasserine and within 30km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehiba, including the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area.
Do not travel to:
See Safety
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
There's a high threat of terrorist attacks in Tunisia.
Terrorists have targeted:
Recent incidents include:
A current state of emergency gives the police and military extra powers to maintain civil order.
Tunisian authorities have increased security, including:
Authorities often arrest and disrupt militants planning attacks.
Targets for future terror attacks could include:
Be alert when visiting:
Safety is getting worse in Libya and Algeria. This has led to unstable security in Tunisia, particularly near the borders.
The threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping is high in:
The military is operating against suspected terrorists in:
Government security forces engage with extremist groups in these areas.
To protect yourself from terrorist threats:
If there's a terror attack or threat:
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
There's a high threat of kidnapping.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn’t make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
If you travel to an area where there is a threat of kidnapping:
More information:
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Demonstrations and civil unrest often occur due to economic, political and social issues.
In January 2018, economic tensions caused protests.
Strikes can happen at short notice and may affect essential services.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
Be prepared to change your travel plans in case of civil unrest.
If you're affected by transport disruptions you can contact your:
More information:
Petty crime in Tunisia includes:
Thieves sometimes steal high-value items from vehicles and hotel rooms.
Women may be harassed, including unwanted physical contact and comments.
Take care when travelling alone or at night.
Don't leave valuables in a parked vehicle or unsecured in a hotel room.
To reduce your risk of crime:
More information:
Tunisia experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including:
Flash flooding can block roads, particularly in the south.
During a natural disaster:
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Tunisia. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID−19 remains a risk in Tunisia.
Follow the advice of local authorities.
For health information on COVID−19 in Tunisia, refer to advice by the Tunisian Ministry of Health (French). You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
Residents in Tunisia who wish to take a COVID-19 vaccination, must register at the government’s EVAX website.
More information:
Insect-borne diseases including leishmaniasis and West Nile virus are common in Tunisia.
To protect yourself from disease:
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
Swimming in fresh water may expose you to parasitic diseases, such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis).
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
If an animal bites or scratches you, get medical help straight away.
More information:
Standards of medical facilities in Tunisia's major centres are generally good. Medical services in smaller cities and rural and remote areas are limited.
Most staff in hospitals speak French, not English.
Hospitals or doctors need payment before they'll treat you, even in an emergency. Even with proof of insurance, you may be required to pay up front.
You may need initial treatment or assessment at a public hospital before you can go to a private clinic.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to a place with suitable facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
There is a decompression chamber at the Naval Base in Bizerte in north-east Tunisia.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Penalties for drug offences include mandatory prison sentences.
More information:
Penalties for some offences, such as murder and rape, include the death penalty.
In Tunisia, it's illegal to:
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal.
Avoid public displays of affection.
If you're the victim of a same-sex sexual assault, you may be charged and imprisoned.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Tunisia. Take care not to offend.
If you're visiting religious sites or remote areas of Tunisia, avoid wearing short-sleeved garments or shorts.
Women may be harassed, particularly if they're unaccompanied.
During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, respect religious and cultural sensitivities, rules and customs.
Avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public and in the presence of people who are fasting.
If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
Always travel on your Australian passport.
If you're a dual national, you may need to complete national service in Tunisia.
Check with the Embassy or Consulate of Tunisia before you travel.
More information:
If you're visiting Tunisia for 90 days or less, you may be eligible for a visa exemption.
For other types of travel, obtain a visa before you arrive.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You can contact the Embassy of Tunisia for the latest details.
All visitors to Tunisia, regardless of where you arrive from, will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test take in the 72 hours before you depart.
You'll need to undertake a mandatory five day self-isolation period on arrival. This can be done in a hotel or in private accommodation.
In order to leave self-isolation, you must take a second PCR test and receive a negative result. You need to arrive in Tunisia with evidence of an appointment booking for the second test.
You must complete a Tunisian government short online questionnaire before travelling.
You must download and use the Tunisian government’s ‘track and trace’ application on your mobile phone.
The Tunisian government has introduced localised lockdowns in response to clusters of COVID-19 infections. A night-time curfew from 10pm to 5am is currently in place in all areas. Health measures are subject to change at short notice, and you should follow the guidance of local authorities, as rules vary by governorate.
Other measures include:
If you’re staying in Tunisia:
More information:
Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. It can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than six months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible.
The local currency is the Tunisian Dinar (TND). It's illegal to import or export Tunisian dinars.
Declare all foreign currency on arrival in Tunisia. Keep the declaration receipt for departure.
You can exchange most major foreign currencies for TND at authorised banks or dealers. Australian dollars are unlikely to be accepted. Make sure you keep receipts.
When you leave Tunisia, you can convert TND into foreign currency if you declared the amount on arrival. Keep receipts for your customs declaration.
Limits on foreign currency imports and exports can change at any time.
There's a heightened security presence at border crossings due to the deteriorating security environment in Libya and Algeria.
Crossings may close at short notice. Tunisian security forces control access.
Consult with local authorities and read the travel advisories for Algeria and Libya before deciding whether to travel.
You need permission from Tunisian authorities to travel to certain desert areas in the south. You must have a licensed guide.
Before travelling into the Sahara, the National Guard’s Tourism Brigade recommends you register your travel details at their offices in Douz, Tozeur or Tataouine.
To drive in Tunisia you need an International Driver's Permit (IDP).
You must obtain your IDP before leaving Australia.
For longer stays, contact the Ministry of Transport (French) about local licences.
You're nearly five times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Tunisia than in Australia.
Driving in Tunisia can be hazardous due to:
Locals often ignore:
If you plan to drive in Tunisia:
Military or police security checks on roads are common.
If you encounter a security check:
More information:
Avoid using motorcycles due to poor road safety standards.
Your travel insurer may not cover you when riding a motorcycle.
Always wear a helmet. Make sure your passenger does too.
Taxis touting for business outside the airport, hotels and tourist attractions often try to charge high prices.
If you need to travel by taxi:
Buses can be crowded. Petty crime occurs on buses.
TRANSTU, the Tunis Transport Company, manages buses and the light railway in Tunis.
The national transport company SNTRI and Trans-Tour buses travel to remote areas of Tunisia.
More information:
The railway network connects:
Petty crime occurs on city and inter-city trains. Always take care of your belongings.
Regular ferry services operate between :
International cruise ship services visit Tunis and other towns.
More information:
DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check the Aviation Safety Network website for details on aviation safety in Tunisia.
Security screening at Tunis-Carthage International Airport has increased.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 198.
Call 190 or go to the hospital.
Call 197 or 193, or go to the local police.
Emergency service operators speak Arabic and French.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy in Tunisia. The Embassy of Canada in Tunis provides consular assistance to Australians in Tunisia.
Rue de la Feuille d’Erable, Berges Du Lac 2
Tunis, Tunisia
Phone: (+216) 70 010 200
Fax : (+216) 70 010 392
Email: tunis.consular@international.gc.ca
Website: canadainternational.gc.ca/tunisia-tunisie
You can also get consular assistance from the Australian High Commission in Malta.
Ta'Xbiex Terrace
Ta'Xbiex, Malta
Phone: +356 2133 8201
Fax: +356 2134 4059
Email: consular.malta@dfat.gov.au
Website: malta.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission, Malta
Twitter: @AusHCMalta
See the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.