Tunisia
Summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against all travel to:
- the Chaambi Mountains National Park and the designated military operations zones of Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma and Mount Mghila
- the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba
- within 20km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehiba
- the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area
In addition and for security reasons, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:
- within 75km of the Libyan border, including Remada, El Borma and the town of Zarzis
- the governorate of Kasserine, including the town of Sbeitla
- within 10km of the border with Algeria south of Kasserine governorate
- within 30km of the border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of the town of Jendouba, including the archaeological site of Chemtou
- areas north and west of the town of Ghardimaou in Jendouba governorate, including El Feidja National Park
- within 10km of Mount Mghila
- Mount Orbata
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Tunisia’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
A state of emergency is in effect in Tunisia, imposed after a suicide attack on a police bus on 24 November 2015. It has been extended a number of times, most recently in February 2022.
Since the terrorist attack in Sousse in June 2015, which targeted tourists, the UK government has been working closely with the Tunisian authorities to investigate the attack and the wider threat from terrorist groups. The Tunisian government has improved protective security in major cities and tourist resorts.
Terrorists are still very likely to try to carry out further attacks in Tunisia, including against UK and Western interests. Security forces remain on a high state of alert in Tunis and other places. You should be vigilant at all times, including around religious sites and festivals. Crowded areas, government installations, transportation networks, businesses with Western interests, and areas where foreign nationals and tourists are known to gather may be at higher risk of attack. You should be particularly vigilant in these areas and follow any specific advice of the local security authorities. In more remote areas of the country, including tourist sites in southern Tunisia, security forces’ response times to an incident may vary. Follow the advice of the Tunisian security authorities and your travel company if you have one. See Terrorism
President Kais Saied ratified a new constitution in 2022, following the suspension of parliament in 2021 and its dissolution in 2022. The first round of parliamentary elections took place in December 2022, with a second round expectedscheduled infor early29 2023.January.
Protests occur in Tunisia with little or no warning, and can sometimes become violent. They usually take place in central areas of Tunis and other major cities, and in the vicinity of government buildings, often but not always on weekends or around prominent national anniversary dates. You should avoid all protests, and move away from gathered crowds. You should keep up to date with developments through the media and follow the instructions given by the Tunisian authorities as well as your hotel and tour operator, if you have one. See Political and security situation
You can contact the emergency services by calling 197 (police - when in cities and towns), 193 (national guard - when in rural areas or small villages), 190 (ambulance) or 198 (civil protection - for assistance at incidents, such as car accidents, to provide medical assistance and response to fire).
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. Consular support may be limited in parts of Tunisia.
Update history
2025-01-27 12:50
Removal of information about incident outside the Great Synagogue of Tunis (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-01-25 11:13
On 24 January there was an incident outside the Great Synagogue of Tunis. We advise caution until the period of emergency response clears.
2024-10-26 08:15
On 26 October Israel carried out military action against Iran (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-09-29 00:28
Updated information on the Conflict affecting Lebanon (Safety and Security Pages)
2024-05-08 15:27
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-04-26 12:40
Removal of some language on military activity in the region (‘Summary’ page).
2024-04-19 15:00
Information on explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2024-04-14 09:19
13 April 2024 – drones and missiles fired from Iran into Israel (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page)
2024-04-12 20:04
Information on regional risks (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-11-08 13:12
Removal of information about escape of prisoners (‘Summary’ page).
2023-10-31 17:44
Latest update: Information about escape of prisoners and recent protests (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-07-06 12:57
Information on refusal of entry to some British nationals of South Asian descent (‘Safety and security’ page), opening of parliament (‘Summary’ page), and proof of accommodation (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-07-05 16:21
Information on civil unrest in Sfax (‘Summary’ page).
2023-07-04 17:04
Information about an attack on a National Guard officer in Tunis (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2023-06-22 11:47
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-06-19 16:29
(CORRECTION) Information on a fatal stabbing in Tunis on 19 June 2023 (‘Summary’ page).
2023-06-19 15:39
Information on a fatal stabbing in Tunis in Djerba on 19 June 2023 (‘Summary’ page).
2023-05-10 18:55
Updated information on a fatal shooting in Djerba on 9 May 2023 (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).
2023-03-03 16:32
Updated information on Covid-19 measures and security awareness (‘Summary,’ ‘Safety and security,’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2023-01-25 10:45
Updated information on the second round of parliamentary elections (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-01-13 17:05
Updated information on the political and security situation (‘Safety and security’ page).
2022-12-02 17:01
Updated information on lifting of COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-07-07 16:39
Updated information on delays, cancellations and security at airports (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-06-28 10:58
Information update about recent reports of harassment of foreign women, assaults and theft in Tunis (‘Safety and security’ page); updated information on incidents between 26 November 2021 and 24 June 2022 (‘Terrorism’ page)
2022-06-15 15:33
Information update about national strikes on 16 June which will affect public transport and flights. (‘Summary’ and ‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-06-08 15:35
New requirement for hotel bookings and removal of the requirement for unvaccinated travellers to self-isolate on arrival to Tunisia (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-03-01 12:49
Addition of information on the requirement for unvaccinated travellers to self-isolate on arrival to Tunisia (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-28 15:31
Updated information entry requirements to Tunisia (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-02-21 14:38
Removal of outdated information (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)