Tunisia

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to [country] based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Tunisia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.

According to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it has no proof that HIV test or disclosure is required to enter the country. 

The Embassy of Tunisia in Washington provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a tourist visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant. Similar information is available on the website of the Site d’Information et de Communication Administrative (SICAD).

It is unclear whether Tunisia imposes restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV.

According to UNAIDS, Tunisia requires HIV testing for work and study permits.

However, while the section of the Labour code concerning non-nationals recruitment does not mention any medical procedure, a Joint Submission of NGOs to the 2012 UPR of Tunisia explains that HIV might influence the decision of employers of offering a contract or renewing it. The Labour Code in its Article 61 establishes the compulsory nature of medical examination as part of the recruitment process. Such medical examination includes ‘clinical, radioscopic and laboratory examinations.’

However, it is not clear to what extent HIV testing or disclosure would be required as part of any medical examination for testing.

Sources are mixed on whether Tunisia imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.

According to UNAIDS, Tunisia requires HIV testing for residency permits and denies these on the basis of HIV status.

This non–official website states that a medical certificate may be needed to apply for residency permit.

However, the Ministry of Interior provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a residence permit application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or general health of the applicant.

Similarly, the application form for the residence permit does not contain questions or fields in relation to any health condition or status.

There is some suggestion that HIV testing is required for marriage licences. The Joint Submission of NGOs to the 2012 UPR of Tunisia further explains that ‘Law no. 64-46 of 3 November 1964, instituting a premarital medical certificate, states that during ‘the examination (…) the doctor’s attention must be focused in particular on contagious diseases (…) or any other diseases dangerous to the spouse or offspring, and in particular tuberculosis and syphilis.’ This provision implies that the doctor may carry out a serological examination for HIV.

The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Tunisia. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.

The health insurance scheme in Tunisia, managed by the National Health Insurance Fund (the Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Maladie or CNAM) is compulsory for all, including non-nationals residing and working in Tunisia. Registration is organised by your employer, while self-employed individuals have a specific plan that they can join separately.

Tunisian health insurance covers the insured person and his or her dependents: a spouse and/or dependent children who do not benefit from any medical coverage. To be eligible for sickness and maternity insurance benefits, the insured person must have worked either a minimum of 50 days during the previous two quarters or a minimum of 80 days in the last four quarters.

Tunisian health insurance pays for healthcare in public institutions and private institutions which are classed as ‘conventional’ in their pricing. Those insured contribute to their health expenses through a user fee.

Certain serious or chronic diseases are 100% covered by health insurance, regardless of whether the care was provided in a public or private institution.

However, there are strong disparities in the supply of healthcare between the city and the countryside, and between the public and private systems.

Free HIV care is available in four hospitals: Rabta Hospital in Tunis, Farhat Hached Hospital in Sousse, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital in Monastir and Hedi Chaker Hospital in Sfax. The infectious diseases services ensure follow-up and provide antiretroviral treatment

In March 2024, a pilot programme of PrEP was available in Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital in Monastir.

A list of HIV testing centres is available here.

• UNAIDS
• US Department of State
• French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Site d’Information et de Communication Administrative
• Joint Submission of NGOs to the 2012 UPR of Tunisia
• Labour Code
• Tunisia eVisa
• Ministry of Interior
• World Health Organization

Migrant populations

Refugees and asylum seekers