NEW TAX IN TUNISIA : 1 October 2014 Entry into force of the departure tax stamp

There are certain countries that impose taxes  and Tunisia is about to join them, I recently received this from the Tourist office: We would like to inform you that in accordance with the law of Supplementary Budget 2014, the establishment of a departure tax stamp of 30 dinars (equivalent to 11 Pound Sterling / 13 Euros)  to be purchased by each tourist visiting Tunisia.

Q & A:

Where to buy this stamp? You can buy it from any airport, port or any local Revenue office in Tunisia

·        Who must buy it ? any non-resident person who travels to Tunisia except Tunisians living abroad.

·         When to buy it? On the day of departure or any day during your stay in Tunisia. You must stick it on your passport and show it to the police control

·         Which currency do you pay with? Cash in local currency ( Tunisian Dinar)

The legislation relating to this tax:

“Complementary Finance Act No. 54-2014. Article 36:

There shall be a charge on the occasion of the departure from Tunisia for any non-resident person notwithstanding his nationality except for Tunisians living abroad, set at 30 dinars due upon departure from Tunisia .The tax is paid by tax stamp affixed to the passport or other document issued by the Minister for Finance, obliterated by the services of the police at the exit of the traveller. 

It seems more countries are committing to enforcing taxes, soon there will be none left where we can travel free. This country is amazing with there heritage so I have to say the £11 per person will not stop me from going again, but in a few years when the sites are not so fresh in my mind, esp El Gem.

I do hope that they will use the tax to clean up the less commercialised areas. for more information on Tunisia see my Tunisia Blog