Gone are the days when you could fly to Tunisian beaches with just an ID card in your pocket. From January 1, 2025, Tunisia will be tightening the screws: all travelers, including Europeans, will be required to present a valid passport to enter the country.. This decision, announced by the Tunisian authorities and confirmed to Visamundi, marks the end of an era of convenience for tourists from the Old Continent.
A change that makes teeth cringe
Far from it, this new regulation has not met with unanimous approval. For Tunisian tourism professionals, it's a cold shower. Some hoteliers fear that this measure will drive European tourists away to other, more affordable Mediterranean destinations.
Their argument? The cost of a passport, around 100 euros in Europe, could weigh heavily on families' vacation budgets.
But that's not all. Tourism operators are also worried about their last-minute clientele. Delays in obtaining a passport could dampen the spirits of impulsive travelers, accustomed to booking holidays at the drop of a hat. In fact, this passport requirement applies regardless of the travel formula (individual, via a tour operator or travel agency, with or without voucher, etc.).
The Tunisian authorities remain unmoved
Faced with these concerns, the Tunisian authorities are turning a deaf ear. A senior tourism official dismissed these fears out of hand, pointing out that a European passport is valid for 10 years for an adult. In his view, this is a false problem that will have no real impact on European arrivals in Tunisia.
It has to be said that this decision didn't come out of the blue. Initially scheduled for November 1, 2023, it was postponed to give the industry and travelers time to adapt. But this time, it's for real: the measure was adopted by the Council of Ministers on May 23. The Italian Embassy in Tunis confirms this.
Some see this as an opportunity for Tunisia to reposition itself as a more upmarket tourist destination. Others, on the contrary, fear a loss of competitiveness in the face of destinations such as Spain and Greece, where Europeans can still travel with their identity card.
Alignment with international standards
Despite misgivings, this decision is part of a drive to harmonize procedures for entering Tunisia. Gone are the days of special privileges for Europeans: everyone will be on the same footing. The Tunisian authorities also cite security reasons for this change.
Tunisia is not alone in tightening entry requirements. Many countries already require a passport for foreign travelers, even for short tourist stays. In reality, the tolerance enjoyed by Europeans in Tunisia until now has been more the exception than the rule.
| An upwardly revised tourist tax As if the passport requirement wasn't enough, tourists will also have to dig deep into their wallets for accommodation. From 2025, a new schedule of tourist tax rates will come into force. Here's what you can expect: - 12 dinars (12 €) per night in 4- and 5-star hotels - 8 dinars (8 €) in the 3-star range - 4 dinars (4 €) in other categories and types of residences The only exception to the rule Tunisian, Algerian, Libyan, Moroccan and Mauritanian nationals will continue to benefit from the old, more advantageous scale. |
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