Overseas travel: Tunisians spent nearly 1.7 billion dinars by the end of August 2026

The country’s external payments related to tourism and travel are not limited to recorded tourism revenues. Tunisians also spend money abroad on travel-related services. These expenditures notably include business trips and personal travel, covering education-related expenses as well as transfers associated with stays for the “Hajj and Umrah” pilgrimages.

According to provisional figures published by the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT), Tunisians spent 1,680.2 million dinars during the first eight months of 2026. Of this amount, 841.5 million dinars was spent under the tourism allowance.

For the record, in Tunisia, the tourism allowance ceiling — the amount in foreign currency that the State authorizes Tunisian residents to purchase or transfer abroad to finance travel, stays or expenses outside the country — is set at 6,000 dinars per year per person (or its equivalent in foreign currency), whether for tourism, studies, medical treatment or other personal travel.

It should also be noted that, since September 2025, the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) has issued Circular No. 2025-10 revising the conditions governing foreign-currency transfers for Tunisian students studying abroad.

The allowance ceilings have been increased: installation expenses have been raised to 6,000 dinars per year, while living expenses have been set at 4,000 dinars per month. Tuition fees continue to be transferred upon presentation of invoices. The circular also allows funds to be transferred for a preparatory language year.

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