Tunisia

VISA REGIME

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COUNTRY
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia who travel to the Republic of Tunisia individually, obtain a visa at the missions of the Republic of Tunisia abroad. Tourist groups from the Republic of Serbia, traveling as part of an organized trip, are issued visas upon arrival in the Republic of Tunisia, after presenting a previously paid voucher for hotel accommodation and a confirmed return plane ticket in accordance with the length of the tourist stay in the Republic of Tunisia.
The issue of stay after the expiration of the visa is resolved by a timely submission of a request (about one month before the expiry of the three-month period) to the police station in the given place of residence. If case of an overstay, 20 Tunisian dinars (approximately EUR 6) will be charged for every additional week of stay. For tourism purposes, a traveller must have a passport with at least 3 months of remaining validity, and a return ticket. There is no obligation to have a health insurance, nor to submit evidence of vaccination. Regarding excise goods being brought into or out of the country, there is a limit on the quantity of cigarettes (200 pcs.), cigars (50 pcs.), tobacco (500 g), alcoholic beverages with up to 25% of alcohol (2 litres), beverages with more than 25% of alcohol (1 litre). Amounts of money being brought in excess of 25,000 TND (around 7,500 EUR) must be declared at customs. Declarations are made using the “Declaration of Foreign Currency Import” form prior to leaving the customs zone. The maximum amount of money that may be brought out of the country is TND 5,000 (around EUR 1,500). Amounts in excess of the above must be declared with evidence of origin. Regarding arrival to Tunisia in a private vehicle, customs authorities issue driving permits within the territory of Tunisia with a duration of up to 3 months. Thereafter the status of the vehicle must be regulated. The import of personal hunting weapons is permitted, with mandatory declaration at the customs and a permit from the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior. The import of other types of weapons is prohibited. Pets must have a veterinary card and sanitary/health certificate, issued by the competent bodies. The import of breeds considered ‘dangerous’, such as pit bulls, is prohibited. Works of cultural and historical importance must be declared, and a prior permit from the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior is necessary. Telephone numbers of border and customs authorities: General Customs Directorate, telephone number: 00 216 71 79 33 04, address Rue Asdrubal Belvedere; border office at the airport in Tunis, telephone number: 00 216 71 75 11 91, in the port of Tunis 00 216 71 33 31 93, at the airport in Monastir, telephone number: 00 216 73 52 11 04.

SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
No social security agreement has been signed.

USEFUL INFORMATION

HEALTH SITUATION — There are no mandatory or recommended vaccines, nor areas under epidemics or certain types of diseases. It is recommended to consume bottled, not tap water, and as for food, there is no limitation to consumption.
Contact information for healthcare institutions providing quality services: Tunisia (Charles Nicolle Hospital, tel. 00 216 71 26 19 74, 00 216 71 57 00 11, 00 216 71 26 18 83; El Amen Clinic, tel. 00 216 71 79 15 33; Carthagene Clinic, tel. 00 216 31 33 63 36, 00 216 31 33 63 55, 00 216 58 52 00 05, 00 216 58 52 00 23), Sousse (L'hopital universitaire Sahloul Hospital, tel. 00 216 73 24 14 11; Les Oliviers Clinic, tel. 00 216 73 24 27 11). As for Hammamet, there are no known hospitals or clinics because of the proximity of the cities of Tunis and Nabeul (there is a hospital in Nabel Hôpital régional Mohamed Tlatli, tel. 00 216 72 10 03 00, and a clinic Les Violettes, tel. 00 216 72 22 40 00).

SECURITY SITUATION — The security situation in Tunisia has improved considerably, particularly in larger cities and tourist centres. The presence of Tunisian security forces has been intensified in tourist areas, primarily for the appropriate protection of foreign tourists.
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia intending to travel to Tunisia are advised to monitor information in public media, to follow the advice of tourist guides and instructions of local bodies. They should also comply with the state of emergency conditions in force since 2011, to avoid places of mass gatherings and individual travel around the country, particularly in central and southern parts of Tunisia, as well as areas near the border with Algeria and Libya.
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia in Tunisia should report their addresses and contact telephone numbers to the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Tunisia, so that in case the security situation deteriorates they can be provided emergency consular assistance and protection.
For any assistance or advice, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Tunisia at the telephone number: 00 216 71 96 60 88, or e-mails: amb.serbia@gnet.tn, www.tunis.mfa.gov.rs.
There is no significant risk of natural disasters or armed conflict, but since the change of government in January 2011 the country has been going through a state of lesser or greater instability, particularly in the interior and central parts, and there has been a rise in street crime. The coastal area and leading tourist centres are quite safe, and security in tourist complexes is at a high level. This applies to Hammamet, where no omissions have been registered to date, unlike Sousse where several incidents were reported in the recent period.

TRANSPORT — There are a total of 6 airports, with the most important ones being in the capital of Tunis (telephone number: 00 216 71 84 10 31 and 00 216 71 84 80 00) and Monastir (telephone number: 00 216 73 10 30 00), open 24 hours, both airports have banks, exchange offices, duty-free shops, and rent-a-car counters.
The main port is in the capital of Tunis and it is used for transporting goods and passengers (address: Batiment administratif, 2060 la Goulette Tunisie, telephone number: 00 216 70 24 00 00) while all other ports are for goods only.
The railway connects the capital with larger cities, but it is mainly used by Tunisians, while foreigners use taxi, buses, or so-called louage minibuses that provide inter-city transport.
The road infrastructure between larger cities and tourist spots is good.
Driver’s documents, such as an international permit, international insurance and vehicle registration papers, are accepted.

OTHER — The local currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND) where 1 TND = 1,000 milim (1 EUR = 3.27 TND, 1 US dollar = 2.72 TND).
Note that the exchange rate varies daily.
Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, and payment by card is possible in well-known hotels. Payment in shops, and particularly on street stalls, is only possible in cash.
Price of taxi transport: start by day 500 milim (around 0.20 EUR), at night 1 TND (around 0.35 EUR), calculation by taxi-metre is per kilometre (every kilometre covered costs 500 milim), and every 30 seconds cost 40 milim.
The cost of food in fast-food restaurants is 2−10 EUR, and in more expensive restaurants it is 10−50 EUR.
Price of accommodation during the peak season is 80−1,000 TND (around 25−300 EUR), depending on the hotel category.
The price of a visit to the doctor’s ranges as follows: in a private doctor’s office 50−60 TND (around 15−18 EUR), in hospitals 60−100 TND (around 20−30 EUR), and in clinics 150−320 TND (around EUR 50−100).
When dressing to go outside tourist zones, it is desirable to cover one's shoulders and legs above the knee line.

Contact information:
For consular assistance and protection while in Tunisia, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Tunis (address: 4, rue du Lac Majeur, 1053 Les Berges du Lac), at one of the telephone numbers: (00 216) 71 96 60 88, (00 216) 71 96 60 84, or e-mail: amb.serbia@gnet.tn.