About us

We are an international team led by Italians who live and work in Tunisia, who have a deep knowledge of the country and a long previous experience, in Italy and in Europe, in various sectors of the industry, communication and real estate market. We have Italian, but also French, Tunisian and Belgian employees who speak Italian well. We use local professionals who are trusted and competent.

Organised in two separate divisions, we work for Italian individuals who want to settle in Tunisia and for Italian industrial and commercial companies or manufacturers who want to operate and invest in the country.

Through our partner company, a real estate agency under Tunisian law. we offer brokerage services for the rental and sale of real estate, as well as all the logistical and bureaucratic services needed to settle in the country, as illustrated on other pages of our site.

For companies and professionals who are considering investing in Tunisia in various sectors (from construction to industry, hotels, restaurants and commerce), we provide all the services necessary to enter the market: study and research of market opportunities, contact with local partners and interlocutors, search for warehouses and land (also in exchange), realization of all bureaucratic, legal, fiscal and corporate procedures, relations with institutions and banks, organization of sales networks, tender notification service, customs assistance. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) Having known the country for a long time, we have an extensive network of contacts that allows us to seek out investment and project development opportunities that would be difficult to find in the office and without extensive background work.

Our strengths

We support you at every stage of the real estate process to ensure the success of your business under the best conditions. We offer you the benefit of our years of experience and know-how to ensure the smooth running of all real estate transactions.

House in Tunisia

We are happy to welcome you in our Agency Home In Tunisia Sousse, located at Agence Home in Tunisia – Résidence Le Monaco, Avenue du 14 Janvier – 4000 Sousse – Tunisia.

We are available Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6.30pm. We welcome your calls on (+216) 25 801 000 from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm, 7 days a week.

Contact:

“ Contact form ”

Council:

Moving to Tunisia

Why go to Tunisia?

Let’s see what this country has to offer, starting with the country itself, excellent climate all year round, low cost of living, good health system, easy integration and human relations with the welcoming Tunisian people, proximity to Italy.

Of course, in order to settle in Tunisia, you must meet certain preconditions, either you have an income or you intend to invest and work in Tunisia.

If you have an income or are already receiving a pension, you can obtain a residence permit in just a few steps.

It should be remembered that the residence permit implies living at least 6 months + 1 day in Tunisia during the calendar year.

For pensioners, the economic advantage of being able to benefit from their gross pension by applying to pay taxes in Tunisia rather than in Italy should not be underestimated.

A simple example, a pensioner who receives 1,000 euros gross per month means that in Italy he has a deduction of about 2,000 euros per year, by requesting the transfer of the pension and the payment of taxes in Tunisia, on the taxable amount which is only 20% of the pension he pays 30%, that is, about 700 euros. the savings are more obvious with the highest pensions, as the maximum tax is 35% on only 20% of the gross pension. calculate for yourself how much you will save.

However, we advise everyone to make a trip to Tunisia first, to see for themselves the different local realities and choose the one that best suits their lifestyle. You can choose between the somewhat chaotic life of Tunis or Sfax and the quieter but still lively life of Sousse Hammamet, Monastir and many others.

There is a wide choice of houses with a view of the sea, or of the golf course, for those who enjoy this leisure activity, or simply in the centre or in the quiet of the countryside.

Our staff will help you fill in all the necessary documents to apply for a residence permit, open a bank account, apply for a pension transfer and tax relief, and for all other needs:

For any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

GOOD REASONS TO BUY A HOUSE IN TUNISIA

Many countries outside Italy offer real estate investment opportunities, but Tunisia is the only country that, within a few minutes flight, offers the possibility to buy at favourable prices, in a very beautiful and varied natural environment, with an excellent climate almost all year round, ideal to live in or to spend holidays in.

Tunisia, after the crisis of 2011 is coming back, with more than 6 million tourists in one year, to be attractive for those who want to invest in a holiday home, all along the country’s coastline.

In addition to a splendid sea, many places offer a rich artistic heritage, with ancient remains that have been declared « world heritage » by UNESCO.

From the luxurious villa overlooking the sea or the no less splendid flat located in one of the many residences or marinas, to the more modest house on the beach or the studio in the centre, you will find them all at prices considerably lower than those charged in Italy, which gives everyone the possibility of making an excellent investment, since real estate in Tunisia is constantly revalued.

By visiting our website, you will be able to find the right opportunity to make your ideal investment. Do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to accompany you on your way to achieving your dream.

Italian pensioners

Moving to Tunisia, a great opportunity for Italian retirees

For all Italian pensioners who receive an INPS pension, moving to Tunisia is a great opportunity.

For those on small pensions, given the low cost of living in Tunisia, moving there is an economic revival; the country allows a standard of living no longer possible in Italy.

Another advantage, thanks to the bilateral agreements between Italy and Tunisia, for pensioners who decide to live in Tunisia, the law n.2006/85, allows you to receive the gross pension, provided that it is fully paid in Tunisia and that you reside for at least 6 months + 1 day in the country. This allows you to benefit from the tax relief, specific for pensioners, that on the gross pension will have to pay in Tunisia ONLY ON 20% OF THE SAME TAX OF 15 to 35%, this rate varies according to the amount of the pension.

If you check how much money is being held in Italy, you will immediately realise how much extra money you will have.

List of services offered

Service 1 Opening a bank account

Service 2 Application for a residence permit

Service 3 Registration in the area (register of Italians living abroad)

Service 4 Application for payment of the inps pension in Tunisia Application for tax benefits in Tunisia and payment of the gross inps pension

Service 5 Application for temporary number plates for cars

List of required documents

To bring from Italy

Valid passport

Civil status and marriage certificate (for couples or families with children)

INPS pension certificate

4 passport photos

N.B. IMPORTANT for payments in Euro, to open a bank account, the money must be declared to the customs upon entry into Tunisia.

Things to do in Tunisia

House contract

Bank certificate for the issuance of the residence permit Blue card for motor vehicles (it is issued at customs upon entry into Tunisia and is essential for driving and applying for a temporary license plate).

Cost of services

Service 1 and 2 For opening a bank account and a residence permit € 150,00

Service 3 For registration AIRE € 150,00

Service 4 For a pension transfer request + gross pension € 200,00

Service 5 For temporary vehicle registration € 150,00

Working in Tunisia

If not everyone remembers the Italy of the 1950s and 1960s, a country that was developing and renewing itself rapidly, this is the Tunisia of today.

Tunisia, a country in full growth, which, contrary to the European and especially Italian markets suffocated by the crisis, offers many opportunities for integration in production and trade activities.

There are many economic areas that still need to be strongly developed, ranging from renewable energy to the world of ecology, from organic production to advanced technologies.

It is also necessary to take into account those that are already highly developed but need to be renewed, first and foremost the catering sector, where in the countless restaurants, pizzerias and bars, the Italian « touch » is rightly appreciated. Agriculture offers great opportunities; the ‘organic’ sector is still in its infancy.

Another little known but very interesting sector is wine. There are already wineries producing excellent wine, but the sector has enormous potential, given the excellent quality of the vineyards the country offers.

For all those who wish to set up a business in Tunisia, our organisation offers an advisory service to identify the production or commercial sector that best suits their needs and possibilities.

It also offers the necessary assistance to deal with all the administrative documents related to settling in the country and setting up a business.

living in Tunisie

Moving from one’s own country to another certainly raises many questions.

On this page we will try to answer the most important ones, but we repeat that all the words we can write are worth less than a visit to the site.

Let’s take a look at what you need to know about Tunisia.

I don’t know Arabic, how will I be understood? There is no such problem, in the country, besides Arabic, the second official language is French, and Italian is also understood by many Tunisians, especially in the tourist resorts. Even in public offices, Arabic-French bilingualism is mandatory, both spoken and written, and it is very easy to find employees who also speak perfect Italian.

The long summer season (April-October) allows you to take full advantage of the wonderful sea that the Tunisian coast has to offer.

The country has a rich history dating back thousands of years and offers countless opportunities to organise visits to the ancient Punic, Roman and Arab remains dotted around the country.

Wherever you decide to stay in Tunisia, you will find it very easy to establish cordial and collaborative human relations with the local population, with people always ready to help you solve the problems of everyday life.

Tunisian society, thanks to a multi-ethnic culture, confirmed by the approval of the new constitution, which is in the vanguard even for the most western and democratic countries, offers a serenity in relations that is difficult to find in many other countries.

Here, mosques, Catholic churches and synagogues co-exist, the safety of foreigners is paramount as the country lives on tourism, and the biggest advantage of moving to Tunisia is the low cost of living. You can buy flats from €30/40,000 or find them to rent from €150/200 per month, for less residential areas or if you don’t have budget problems, you can choose to live in beautiful residences with an adjacent golf course, marina, luxury restaurants and shops.

The cost of food is also very low: a loaf of bread costs about 10 cents, fresh tuna from the fishmonger about 3 euros per kg, seasonal fruit such as oranges or apples 30/35 cents per kg, and the same goes for vegetables. For those who can’t live without it, there are many alcohol outlets where you can buy good wine or beer or spirits or even products such as salami, ham, mortadella and other pork products, unfortunately at prices that are not exactly cheap.

Petrol costs about 75 euro cents per litre, and the cost of electricity is also low. In many households, the gas bottle is used for hot water, and cooking with €3.5 is enough for about 20/25 days. In restaurants you can eat comfortably for three to four €; if you want to eat fish and drink a good bottle of wine, you can spend up to 8/10 € per person, still less than a pizza in Italy. Those nostalgic for Italian national television programmes will have no trouble watching them thanks to the satellite dishes, with which all properties are equipped.

For those on a minimum pension, this country represents an opportunity to live a more than decent life. The proximity of Italy, a one-hour flight from Tunis to Rome, and the low cost of the ticket are an additional incentive for those who want to make this lifestyle choice.

Should you require any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Getting treatment in Tunisia: health care and dentists

Few Italians know that the number of Europeans who go to Tunisia for treatment is constantly increasing, where there is an excellent health system with an ancient tradition and absolutely comparable, in terms of professional skills and organisation, to those in Europe. Most of the older generation of doctors graduated in France and today some Tunisian medical faculties, such as Monastir, have become international scientific centres. But even today, many Tunisian medical graduates specialise in France, thanks to agreements between the two countries and scholarships. The country’s hospitals are very numerous and well equipped, as are the pharmacies, the majority of which are municipal. As for private health care, it has become a leading sector of the Tunisian economy, welcoming a really large number of foreigners (primarily French, but also British and North Europeans, not forgetting patients from Arab countries) who come to Tunisia mainly for dental care or for examinations and operations which are not generally covered by the public health system (e.g. cosmetic surgery) or which require long waiting times. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) This is the phenomenon of so-called health tourism, which has grown rapidly in Eastern Europe and owes its fortune to the sometimes prohibitive costs of private health care in the more advanced Western countries. Regrettably, among these countries, Italy ranks first in terms of the cost of dental care and other specialised interventions.

The relationship between service quality and price is very favourable in Tunisia, and we have seen this for ourselves. In September 2012, we needed a series of quite complex dental procedures (extractions, sinus lift and implants). After consulting several dentists (including our regular dentist), the best quote we got in Rimini was 8,950 euros. We did these same operations in Monastir, with exactly the same materials, made in Europe, and also doing a more preliminary examination than the Italian dentists. We spent a total of 2,800 euros, going twice: once for 5 days, a second time, after 4 months, for 6 days. And to stay, at a very low cost, in a seaside hotel that had an agreement with the dental practice. We then had a private eye examination in Sousse, where we were diagnosed with a disorder, which was later confirmed by an examination in Italy, and a private examination by an ear specialist. In both cases, we were received with great kindness in comfortable and clean offices, and examined at length, using machines identical to those used in Europe. In both cases, we paid 20 euros for the visit! The anecdotes on this subject could be numerous, but we will stop here.

In Tunisia, there are currently about 80 private polyvalent clinics, located between the capital and the cities of greatest tourist influx. There are also several specialised clinics and many dental practices equipped to treat foreign patients. Along with dentistry, the other leading sector is cosmetic surgery, and even here, services of equal quality cost 30-60% less than in Western Europe, including travel and accommodation costs. What is the reason for such low rates? Certainly not to the poor quality of services or materials and equipment, as those who have never seen the facilities with their own eyes might think, or as the critics claim in bad faith. There are several reasons for this. In addition to the contingent of the favourable euro exchange rate, there are other sobering factors. First of all, the lower economic requirements of professionals. Secondly, the lower cost of living, which is also reflected in salaries, rents or depreciation of surgeries, etc. And, again, a tax policy that rewards institutions that work with foreign patients with substantial tax breaks. In conclusion, some European countries, perhaps more far-sighted than ours, in order to contain national health expenditure, even encourage their citizens to seek treatment abroad, by granting substantial reimbursements for certain services carried out outside their borders, in countries such as Tunisia. If you would like to know more, please contact us at

CONSTRUCTION IN TUNISIA

Our team is specialised in assisting Italian promoters who wish to cross borders by developing the market in Tunisia and North Africa. In Tunisia, domestic demand remains strong, thanks to the fact that the middle class, which is shrinking in Western Europe, is growing, and foreign demand has found a new impetus: the most promising trend is that of retirees, to whom the Tunisian state grants very interesting tax benefits if they establish their residence in Tunisia. The number of European pensioners who choose to live in a neighbouring country with a good climate and a low cost of living is constantly increasing (especially from France, but now also from Italy) and, with the tax advantages that we explain in another section of our site, thanks to this choice they double or multiply their purchasing power several times. In this respect, there is a shortage of specialised residential developments for the elderly, which could easily be planned by converting hotel complexes to residential use. But important opportunities also exist in the commercial/office sector (thanks to the redevelopment of the service sector) and in the emerging tourist areas.

Finally, it should not be forgotten that Tunisia is the gateway to other markets with enormous prospects, such as Libya, which will have strong reconstruction needs, and Algeria.

For Italian companies that want to go further and operate in a large international market, we offer a complete service:

• the identification and acquisition of land, also with the possibility of exchange, in particular land classified as tourist-residential, which allows a foreign entrepreneur to benefit from the greatest fiscal and social advantages;
• identification of accommodation facilities with the possibility of changing the use designation from tourist to residential; contact possible local partners;
• technical, financial and commercial feasibility studies;
• creation of companies to operate locally; full legal, tax, financial and technical assistance;
• find local suppliers, businesses and professionals;
• the marketing of properties on the Italian and European market.

To support our professional clients, we are organised with a network of local correspondents and have agreements with the best law firms and accountants in Tunisia.

For entrepreneurs who would like to know more about these opportunities, we are of course available to provide additional information and for in-depth meetings.

To view some of the proposed real estate projects and building plots, click here(link to all building plots).

INVESTING IN AGRICULTURE IN TUNISIA

The agricultural sector in Tunisia offers considerable opportunities for investment and the creation of new activities. Investment in agricultural (or agro-industrial) activities in Tunisia is a very attractive option.

for European professionals in the sector (in fact, there are already many foreign-owned operations). Moreover, at a time when many Europeans are looking to new countries for new opportunities and activities, investment in agriculture is a very valuable alternative to the traditionally more beaten down sectors, such as catering or hotels.

Agriculture in Tunisia still represents, together with the fisheries sector, an important part of the economy, amounting to 11% of GDP, an incidence well over three times higher than that found in more advanced countries. This figure explains the attention paid to the sector by the State, in the form of tax breaks, strong incentives granted to exporting companies, subsidised loans, and significant reimbursements of investments made in various sectors, particularly the most innovative.

But there are other determining factors of interest: a favourable climate that lends itself to a variety of crops, the availability of skilled labour, infinitely lower labour costs, the possibility of renting state-owned land: all of these elements make production and processing activities very convenient, especially for certain labour-intensive processes that, in Italy as in Western Europe, suffer the problem of high production costs. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) And, once again, the existence of still very important market spaces for activities which, in Italy and in Europe, are already quite exploited, whereas in Tunisia they are relatively or entirely new. In this respect, organic production is a striking example, but there are others: for example, composting, various greenhouse crops, aquaculture, which still has a very small share of fish production but is set to play a central role.

Under Tunisian law, a foreign national may invest in agricultural and agro-industrial activities in partnership with a natural or legal person of Tunisian nationality. The foreigner cannot own the land, but he can be a partner or even a majority shareholder (up to 2/3 of the capital) in the company that exploits the land, processes and markets the products. The foreign-owned company thus formed benefits from a number of incentives, the most important of which are

– Repayments of 7 to 40% of investments, depending on the area and type of investment. In particular, 30% is reimbursed for investments in organic farming, 25% for investments in fisheries in the Nordic areas and 40% for investments in water saving.

– If at least 70% of the company’s turnover comes from exports, the very strong incentives provided for fully exporting companies are triggered, namely: total exemption from corporate income tax for the first 10 years and 50% exemption in the following years, total and permanent exemption of reinvested profits, total and permanent exemption from the payment of a large number of charges

On this site you will find investment proposals in the agribusiness sector, including innovative projects. But we have more, and more we can make available to you according to your needs. Part of our organisation is specifically dedicated to agribusiness and our Sousse office is in permanent contact with APIA, the Tunisian public body responsible for developing investment in agriculture. By relying also on qualified professionals of our trust, we are able to provide Italian agricultural entrepreneurs with all the services necessary for the realisation of investment projects in agriculture in Tunisia.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information.

SERVICES

* Business and professional services: Search for investment opportunities in industry and construction, agriculture and agri-food, trade, tourism/hospitality, services. Look for opportunities to partner with local entrepreneurs. Search for land and warehouses. Complete assistance for companies and professionals wishing to set up production units, offices or representations in Tunisia. Market research. Organisation and management of sales networks, organisation of events and conventions, participation in trade fairs in Tunisia and Algeria. Customs assistance.

* Real estate: search for properties to rent or sell, complete assistance in all the steps and acts necessary to conclude the transactions. Personalized orientation service in view of buying or renting for people who are looking for a house or a property and who do not yet have sufficient knowledge of the country and the market.* Personal services: Organisation of exploratory visits to Tunisia with a view to future relocation. Full assistance with all the bureaucratic procedures required for moving to Tunisia. Logistical assistance for contacts with organisations and suppliers.

WHY A HOUSE IN TUNISIA

No other non-European country has all the characteristics of Tunisia: proximity to Europe (1 hour from Rome), low cost of living, good quality of services, sunshine 300 days a year, rich natural and artistic heritage. In Tunisia, it is still possible to find the house of your dreams, which would cost a fortune in Italy or which you simply would not find. Or, if you have a limited amount of money with which you would buy very little in Italy, you can find a flat near the sea, to use all year round or to rent when not in use. Of course, there are countries on the other side of the world, or in Africa itself, where houses cost even less. But Tunisia offers the incomparable advantages of being close to Italy, and therefore not expensive to travel to, of having a much higher quality of construction and of having a cultural proximity to Europe, so that the European, and the Italian in particular, is in a context that is both exotic and familiar.

No country today offers such a wide range of real estate opportunities for all tastes: from flats in apartment blocks with all amenities, to

villas with swimming pools, residential complexes in marinas or near golf courses, houses in typical Arab-Moorish style. At a lower cost than Italy, with an excellent quality/price ratio and with real prospects of revaluation even in the short term, thanks to the demand from European investors that accelerated after the January 2011 revolution.

Therefore, buying a house in Tunisia is also a smart way to invest in bricks and mortar and protect your savings.

If you are interested in the idea, this site is for you… We know Tunisia very well and are in constant contact with the best property developers in the country. With the help of our experienced local staff, we also solve all practical and bureaucratic problems, assisting you every step of the way, from selection to purchase, and, if you wish, also taking care of the maintenance and management of your property. If you are not familiar with Tunisia, but are intrigued by the opportunities it offers, we invite you to spend a few more minutes on our site and consult not only the pages dedicated to real estate offers, but also the general pages below. You will discover a country you never imagined. The ideal country to buy a house.

THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN TUNISIA

In recent years, Tunisia has been the object of growing interest from international buyers, thanks to a number of characteristics that no other non-European country possesses on its own: property prices unavailable in Western Europe, geographical and cultural proximity, a mild climate, a clean sea, a rich natural and artistic heritage, and a low cost of living Finally, a decisive factor is the high degree of legal security and property law that the country offers.

Tunisia experienced a real estate boom during the decade 1995-2005: the number of housing units increased by more than 40% (from 1.8 to about 2.7 million) while, also thanks to a sustained domestic demand, prices increased by almost 80%. The growth in construction (and the prospect of rapid revaluation due to rising prices) then attracted buyers from across Europe in the following years. This created a new market, which suffered a setback in the aftermath of the January 2011 revolution, but which remains very dynamic today: that of real estate designed to high standards of quality and comfort and located in attractive locations, aimed at foreign buyers. Although prices have risen in the past and started to fall in Europe, buying property in Tunisia is and will remain a good deal. As you can see on our site, there are indeed types of accommodation available in Tunisia that are currently unavailable in Europe, such as villas, or flats in marinas or residential complexes with facilities ranging from swimming pools to shops, or flats in condominiums overlooking the beaches of the best known and best served tourist towns. At prices which, whatever the evolution of the property markets, will always be cheaper than in Europe.

After the French and Belgians (who were the forerunners for obvious linguistic reasons), many Northern Europeans – notably the British, Germans and Scandinavians – have chosen to buy in Tunisia. Purchases by foreigners are very dynamic, and this is not by chance: independently of the reasons mentioned above, property investment in a country less dependent on economic fluctuations than the West is seen as a form of savings protection. The low cost of living and the proximity (geographical, but, let us repeat, also cultural) lead to another remarkable phenomenon: that of relatively young retirees who choose to settle in Tunisia, thus automatically multiplying the value of their income and improving their quality of life. These trends are also generating interesting opportunities in the non-residential property sectors, namely commercial premises – driven by new developments and the arrival of new residents – and land, which is still relatively abundant and where the market is now experiencing the same price revaluation dynamics that occurred years ago in the construction sector.

The important investments in infrastructures and major works, in which the European Union and countries such as Libya or the Arab Emirates are also participating, constitute another driving factor of the Tunisian real estate sector: the development of the motorway network, the opening of 2 new airports, the renovation of the real estate and urban patrimony, the extension or reconstruction of the water and communication networks in various cities are underway. With the capital of private investors (including Italian), new tourist areas are also being planned or implemented in 3 regions of the country, the construction of 3 new marinas with marina and residential facilities, and the extension of 2 marinas.

BUY A HOUSE IN TUNISIA

It is better to make an observation, even if it is obvious to those who already know the country: property rights in Tunisia are certain and guaranteed by a system of rules based on the French model and quite similar to that of Italy and Europe in general. This means that properties are regularly stacked and publicly traceable with respect to mortgages, encumbrances and various defects and that purchases and sales are subject to precise rules established by law. Furthermore, each phase of the buying and selling process (including the preliminary phase) is carried out with the help of qualified professionals (who, in the case of Tunisia, are lawyers).

The stages of the purchase

Once the property has been chosen, the date of the preliminary sale (called compromesso) is quickly set. A simple confirmation between the parties is sufficient to lock in the property until the preliminary date. As an additional mutual guarantee, it is possible to make an advance payment, which is paid into an account that remains blocked until the advance. The promise of sale contains a detailed description of the property, its condition, the land registry and town planning, and summarises all the verbal agreements relating to the purchase (price, deposit, date of the deed, deadline for payment of the balance, etc.). The corresponding deed must be drawn up by the notary and is subject to registration. Once the preliminary deed is signed, the procedure for obtaining the purchase authorisation is triggered, which is required by Tunisian law for the purchase of real estate by foreign nationals. The authorisation is issued by the local governorate (the body that summarises the competences that in Italia hanno Provincia e Regione) for a period normally between 2 and 6 months, but which, according to the law, can go up to 12 months. The date of the deed of sale obviously varies depending on whether the preliminary project concerns a property not yet delivered or an existing property. In the first case, the authorisation period is absorbed by the delivery period. In the case of goods ready for delivery, on the other hand, the parties set a deadline for conclusion after the date of arrival of the authorisation. Of course, the sales contract is also drawn up by the notary, registered and filed in the land register.

As you will see on our ServicesThe entire procedure (from bureaucratic procedures to the production and presentation of documents) is handled by us, with the intervention of our correspondents in Tunisia and the professionals with whom we have an agreement. Just leave us a photocopy of your passport.

Who can buy

A purchase by foreigners can be made by a natural person or a legal entity.

Methods of payment

The amount of payments to be made during the different stages of the purchase naturally depends on the agreements between the buyer and the seller. In the case of properties under construction, the pre-contract provides for payment deadlines depending on the progress of the work (with stipulation of the deed and the balance on delivery) and the corresponding penalties in case of non-performance by the parties. But it is good to know that the question of the builder’s obligations and the corresponding completion of the various stages of the work is also largely regulated by law. Money transfers must be made by bank transfer. The buyer must open an account in any Tunisian bank (even the branch of an Italian bank), to which payments are made and from which transfers to the seller are then made.

Resale

The law places no limit, temporal or otherwise, on the possibility of reselling and, of course, bringing back to Italy the proceeds of the sale, including the increase in value over the purchase price.

For more information

We will be happy to explain to you all the details concerning the methods of purchase and payment, the documentation to be produced, the costs and the registration fees for the purchase.

ARTICLES :

TUNISIA, A COUNTRY TO DISCOVER

An exotic country rich in history, but modern and secular, with strong European and Francophone roots. With a beautiful nature, a pleasant climate and a great variety of landscapes and places. You will also find the comforts and services you are used to, with a much lower cost of living (as explained on the Living in Tunisia page). There are a thousand things to discover in Tunisia: here we give you some information, mainly to give you a better idea of where you can buy a house according to your preferences. For a more complete overview of the country, you can consult the links and publications listed at the end of this page.

A little history. Tunisia is a multi-ethnic country with very distant origins. The indigenous population (the ancient Numidians) was gradually joined by the Phoenicians, the Romans (who conquered the country during the Punic Wars), the Berbers (the indigenous Saharan population), the Byzantines, and later the Arabs, the Ottomans and the French (of whom Tunisia was a protectorate from 1880 to 1956).

Today’s Tunisia is a rare example of a state in which Arab and European cultures coexist peacefully. And which, because of its geographical proximity as well as its ancient links with our country, is often referred to as the 21st region of Italy. In addition, an Italian community has also been present for centuries (for example, Claudia Cardinale was born and raised in Tunis).

The country. As big as half of Italy and with only 10.6 million inhabitants, Tunisia has a lot to offer: sunshine for 300 days a year, nature that varies from sea to desert, history, art, archaeological sites and places with very different characteristics. Some parts of the country have kept their way of life, traditions and architecture almost intact. Many others, on the other hand, have developed along European lines and offer a wide range of facilities, services, shopping, dining and entertainment from discos to casinos. But even in the most modern and well-equipped resorts, there is an undeniable imprint: there is no place in Tunisia where you feel you are in an anonymous and unrecognisable place.

If you don’t yet have a clear idea of where to choose your house in Tunisia, don’t worry: as the inhabited part of the country is relatively small (the rest being occupied by the desert), you can easily move from one end of the territory to the other to discover its scenic and cultural riches. And wherever you buy a house, you’ll find clean seas and beaches that, apart from the August peak, are decidedly less crowded than ours.

The ideal is to travel along the Tunisian coast from north to south:

– The north coast, from Tabarka to Bizerte

– The Gulf of Tunis

– Cap Bon and Hammamet

– The central coast, from Hergla to Mahdia

– The south coast and Djerba

The north coast, from Tabarka to Bizerte

Following the northern coast from west to east to the Gulf of Tunis, one encounters a rugged and rocky coastline, with coves and small beaches reminiscent of Sardinia, and a hinterland that is heavily wooded and still untouched in many parts.

The best known seaside towns on this stretch are Tabarka, near the Algerian border, and Bizerte, facing Italy. Quiet towns, although equipped for seaside tourism, very picturesque and with a long history that also saw a strong presence of the Romans and Genoese, who left many architectural and artistic traces.

The Gulf of Tunis

The north of the country, which is partly further north than Italy, gravitates culturally and economically towards the capital, Tunis. It is a city that you never know: a little bit of Naples (for the sea, the streets of the old town, the warmth of its inhabitants), a little bit of Paris (for the palaces in the centre and Belvedere, the bistros on the boulevards, the sumptuous gardens), a little bit of Milan (for the new business districts and the satellite towns linked to them), and, of course, an Arab city, for the large, colourful and astonishing medina, one of the most characteristic in North Africa, the markets, the mosques, the minarets. A multi-ethnic city (with Jewish and Italian neighbourhoods as well), very lively and in constant motion.

The capital is one of the major centres of the current phase of real estate development in the country: it is especially in the north (and in particular in the area known as the « Berges du Lac », located around a large lake) that many high-quality real estate projects (residential and commercial) are concentrated. These properties are highly sought after by European buyers, thanks to the attractive revaluation prospects, the prestige of the buildings, the strategic location of the area and the fact that there is still plenty of land for new projects.

From the north of Tunis, a 15-minute drive takes you to some of the most beautiful coastal resorts: Carthage, with its Roman ruins overlooking the sea and its exclusive residential areas surrounded by greenery; Sidi Bou SaidThe village is perched high above the sea, with white and blue houses overlooking alleys flooded with bougainvillea and scented with jasmine, and has attracted many famous people who have stayed there for many years (from writers Miguel de Cervantes, André Gide, Jean Paul Sarte, Simone de Bouvoir, to painter Paul Klee); La Marsa, a cosmopolitan district and a favourite beach for wealthy Tunisians. A few kilometres further north, Gammarth, with its bay dotted with luxury hotels and the forest by the sea.

Cap Bon and Hammamet

On the other hand, heading east from Tunis, we pass Cap Bon, a promontory which, at the time, was only a small town.

It looks a bit like the Amalfi coast (because of the winding roads overlooking the sea) and a bit like Sardinia (because of the wild and naked beauty). It is an area which, due to its conformation, is less touristy, but due to its isolation and seclusion, has been chosen as a permanent residence by several foreigners (mainly French and Italians). Kelibia and Korba, located in the southern part of the cape, are the best known cities.

About fifty kilometres by motorway from Tunis to the south, we are in Hammamet, a town that almost every Italian has at least heard of. Hammamet is a quiet seaside town, dominated by an imposing 15th century fortress and criss-crossed by winding streets. In the 19th century, Flaubert, Maupassant, Oscar Wilde and, a few decades later, Winston Churchill made it their favourite.

After the Second World War, one of the most famous international seaside resorts developed next to the old town, frequented by jet-setters like Sophia Loren or Françoise Sagan. Large hotels, holiday centres, thalassotherapy centres, golf courses and sports facilities, restaurants, discotheques and entertainment of all kinds have sprung up. Residential areas are also numerous and luxurious, built in green and secluded areas, and inhabited almost exclusively by foreigners.

The most recent real estate development has been concentrated in the southern part, where Yasmine Hammamet has been built, an area with a beautiful promenade dotted with palm trees and overlooked by a series of large hotels. In Yasmine Hammamet, residential areas with luxury villas and condominiums have sprung up, and a well-equipped marina was built in the early 2000s as part of the « Marina Yasmine » complex, a large complex dedicated to the sea and residential tourism, with villas overlooking a picturesque inland canal, flats in small buildings, clubs, restaurants and shops of all kinds, swimming pools and sports facilities. If you are interested in this accommodation solution, we recommend that you keep an eye on our website, as from time to time it is possible to find villas, flats or berths for sale.

Only a few kilometres north of Hammamet, and almost without transition, is the regional capital, Nabeul, a quieter town which nevertheless offers a variety of accommodation options by the sea or in the hills overlooking the sea.

The central coast, from Hergla to Mahdia

Some of the country’s most touristic cities are located in this belt, the best known being Sousseand Monastir. It is also an area that is experiencing a great deal of real estate activity, with construction sites open or about to be opened in several interesting locations. 60 kilometres south of Hammamet is Hergla, still a small fishing town of only 6,000 inhabitants, with magnificent views and white sandy beaches, deserted even in August. The Hergla area, on the other hand, is destined for enormous development, which has already led to a vertiginous increase in the price of building land in just a few years, as it is the epicentre of a series of current or future projects, such as the new Enfidha airport, inaugurated at the end of 2010, which is still operating at a reduced rate but is destined to become an important hub, and the new industrial zone of the same name, which is vast, modern and very well served. The location of Hergla, close to Sousse and along the Tunis – Sfax motorway, makes it a natural outlet for the expansion of the province of Sousse. Over the past six years, many new settlements have been created, including second homes.

Less than 20 kilometres south of Hergla, we are in Sousse, which, with its 220,000 inhabitants, is the third largest city in Tunisia. Sousse is a real capital of seaside tourism, but also a city inhabited all year round with excellent services.

This is why many Europeans have already chosen it not only for their summer holidays, but also to spend the winter there.

There are currently 2 major real estate development poles in Sousse. The first is the central tourist area -parallel to the historical centre- in which there are a large number of hotels, shops, restaurants and bars of all kinds, discotheques, banks and various public services.

The other major real estate development area in Sousse is the northern part of the city, where the beautiful Port El Kantaoui is located. Built in the late 1980s and still in admirable condition, Port El Kantaoui was the first example in Tunisia of a marina complemented by an impressive Moorish-style residential complex and by services and entertainment.

Beyond Port El Kantaoui (almost halfway between Sousse and Hergla), there is an area undergoing urban redevelopment that is worth keeping an eye on, as the properties there are destined to revalue in the near future, thanks to their proximity to Hergla (whose potential we have already mentioned) and of course to the centre of Sousse. In this area, you can see on our website the very interesting proposal of the Kantaoui Resort, a residential complex under construction, with very affordable flats.

Monastir, about 35 kilometres south of Sousse, is a city also known to the Italians thanks to its airport, where many charter flights from Italy land. Compared to Sousse, Monastir is a smaller and quieter city, a destination for more elitist tourism. However, it is rich in tourist facilities of all kinds, including a marina and two golf courses.

Finally, Mahdia, 70 kilometres south of Monastir, is a city with a long history, attested by monuments and ruins, and which, after living for centuries to the rhythm of fishing, has become an international tourist destination, thanks to a splendid sea and magnificent views. Mahdia is currently experiencing a period of residential development.

Entire new residential areas on or near the sea are being built or started, and several areas of the city are being redeveloped. Above all, a new marina is being planned, which will be financed by Lebanese capital. Thanks to these elements, Mahdia is also a place to consider for favourable redevelopment prospects.

The south coast and Djerba

The south is the part of Tunisia that is most in our hearts, because there is the desert, which is a real place of the soul, with its cities – oases (Tozeur, Tamerza, Tataouine, Matmata, Nefta, Douz) some of which are simply indescribable and unforgettable There are no new real estate projects in the oases: frankly, we prefer it that way and hope that these places do not turn into so many Las Vegas or the like.

But in the south of Tunisia, there is an area quite close to the Great Southern Desert.

and oases, whose air one begins to breathe: for the climate, which allows one to bathe even in November, for the atmosphere, for the vegetation. And where you can buy a house. We are talking about Djerba, an island which is a major international tourist destination, also well known by Italians.

A crossroads of cultures over the centuries, and even mentioned in the Odyssey as one of the places where Ulysses stopped, Djerba is an example of a busy tourist resort that has not been devastated by tourism, preserving its own landscape and architectural identity. It is no coincidence that users of Trip Advisor, perhaps the world’s best known tourism website, voted Djerba the best tourist destination in 2008.

Djerba is currently one of the cheapest places in Tunisia to buy a house. After a sustained hotel development, the island has opened up quite recently to residential tourism: the local administration has set a wise annual quota of new building permits for the construction of housing, which must respect certain precise architectural canons concerning the height and style of buildings, which must be in harmony with the existing. This new development is leading to a rush to buy from Europeans, with extremely interesting prospects for those who buy now.

On our website you will find proposals on Djerba that we advise you to examine, not only for their interest from an investment point of view, but also because having a house in Djerba is a lifestyle choice, which allows you to live the ineffable experience of feeling light years away from the stress of European life.

Read more :

http://www.tunisietourisme.com.tn (official website of the Tunisian Tourist Office)http://www.tunisiaturismo.it (Italian version)

The house with the bunk

Tunisia offers excellent investment opportunities, at costs much more affordable than in Europe, in properties placed

in a marina. This is a sector that is not experiencing a crisis, as the European coasts already have a high density of marinas, highly urbanised, with a fairly scarce supply of accommodation and prices that, despite the economic crisis, remain high, not only for flats (and the rare villas) for sale, but also for mooring rentals. Tunisia, on the other hand, concentrates on marinas, thanks to several factors: a still abundant space for new constructions; a favourable climate and temperatures that allow for much longer seasons than in Mediterranean Europe; and a geographical position that, especially for an Italian, is strategic, as it is very close and barycentric to our country, so that the yachtsman, starting from Tunisia, can easily choose to sail towards the Tyrrhenian or the Adriatic Seas

Tunisia’s 1,200 kilometres of coastline currently offer 28 ports and anchorages, attracting a growing number of boaters thanks to the availability of berths and the affordability of rates, accompanied by an excellent level of services. The more than 5,000 berths currently available in the country are set to increase: on the northern coast, two projects, near Tunis and in Bizerte, are under construction but have been blocked in order to « cleanse » the social structure of the promoters of the presence of people linked to the former regime. Sooner or later these projects will be completed. A new marina is being built in Madhia (a town not far from Sousse and Monastir) and, in Sousse, plans have been announced for a new marina to be built next to the legendary Port El Kantaoui. The new Sousse marina will be built on the site of the current commercial port, which will be moved from the city to the north. The project includes a marina, internationally renowned 5-star hotels, two modern buildings with high-end flats, and a shopping centre. In the medium term, the most prominent new development promises to be the Marina Ksour in Hergla (between Sousse and Hammamet), a mega-tourist resort to be developed by a group of investors. The project is part of the United Arab Emirates Group and, in addition to the marina, will include residences, a heliport and 5-star hotels with over 1,000 rooms. Buying a property in a Tunisian marina is ideal not only for boaters or water sports enthusiasts, but also for those who lead a life of simple bathing. Marinas are in fact places of great habitability and charm. Complexes,

Generally made up of small buildings and villas, they are spread over very large areas, crossed by gardens, small squares, courtyards and flowery avenues. The buildings, although based on the criteria of modern comfort, are generally decorated with architectural elements in the traditional Arab style. Separate from the housing, but inspired by the same architectural criteria, is the commercial area, where there are bars, restaurants and shops of all kinds, as well as supermarkets, a wellness centre, a playground and, in some cases, hotels. Pedestrian avenues lead directly to the beach. In short, living in a marina is like living in a city within a city, in a kind of exotic village by the sea, where you have everything at your disposal, but at the same time enjoy privacy, peace and security. The most recent marinas are those of Djerba and Yasmine Hammamet. The latter, located only 60 miles from Sicily and 60 km by motorway from Tunis, is currently the most popular of the large developments and covers an area of 278 hectares. Its marina has 720 berths, a modern harbour master’s office, a 127-tonne capacity travel lift, over 2 km of quays and a full range of facilities and services. It can accommodate boats from 6 to 110 metres. Its residential complex of villas and flats is surrounded and crossed by a canal. The villas overlook the canal and each has a mooring, which can be accessed directly from the garden. Flats and villas in Marina Yasmine are in high demand, but there are always a few owners selling, so please contact us if you are interested in looking for accommodation in Marina Yasmine or in other Tunisian marinas.

Ideally situated along the coast from north to south, here is a brief description of the other main marinas

Tunisians :

• Tabarka
• Bizerte
• Tunis and surroundings
• Port El Kantaoui / Sousse
• Monastir

Tabarka: at the foot of a rock, the marina offers 170 berths with all services, in a site dominated by a mountain of pines and mimosas and renowned for its coral and diving. The city is located in the northwest, on the border with Algeria.

Bizerte: offers accommodation for 170 boats and is undergoing a radical transformation and extension. From Bizerte (but also from Tabarka), you can reach the legendary island of La Galite, an oasis of Mediterranean fauna where you can find the rare Pharaoh’s bream. The city is located 50 km north of Tunis.

Tunis and its surroundings: in Sidi Bou Said, the old fishing port has been transformed into a marina, with a harbour that can accommodate 420 boats and is equipped with all services. Still in the Gulf of Tunis, another base, less fashionable than Sidi Bou Said, is the port of La Goulette, which offers 150 places for pleasure boats with a yacht club.

Port El Kantaoui: the country’s first modern marina, 5 minutes drive from Sousse, with a Moorish-andalusian layout and nicknamed the Garden Port, is one of the most sheltered ports of call in the Mediterranean. It offers 340 berths with all amenities. Behind the marina is the Kantaoui golf course, one of the most famous 27-hole golf courses in the southern Mediterranean, and just a few kilometres away is the city of Sousse.The residential complex of Port El Kantaoui consists of flats in charming two-storey houses. It is located 140 km south of Tunis.

Monastir : Its port, Marina Cap Monastir, has 400 berths with all facilities, can accommodate boats up to 45 meters and is surrounded by an Arab-Moorish residential complex with a large number of restaurants of all kinds overlooking the berths. Learn more about the features and services of all marinas and moorings in Tunisia: http://www.portbooker.com/it/porti/tunisia

Tunisian olive oil is exempt from EU customs duties

The European Parliament has approved an exemption from customs duties for Tunisian olive oil entering the European Union for 35,000 tonnes in 2016 and the same quantity in 2017, in addition to the 56,000 tonnes already provided for in a previous agreement.

This measure is part of an aid package to promote the economy of Tunisia, the only country to have successfully completed the transition to democracy after the Arab Spring (which began in Tunis in 2011).

Inevitably, this decision provoked reactions from EU oil-producing countries, which denounced the weak guarantees offered by the Tunisian product compared to the European product. The recalls do not take into account several elements that are mostly unknown to the general public. Olive and olive oil is a long-established sector in Tunisia, with 310,000 farmers, 1,750 mills, 15 refining units, 10 pomace processing units, and 40 companies including bottlers and processors of the oil into valuable cosmetic products such as soap. Tunisia is the world’s second largest exporter of olive oil after the European Union and exports to no less than 28 countries on all continents, including not only the European Union and Africa, but also North America and Australia. It is a member of the C.O.I. (International Olive Oil Council) and the oil produced in Tunisia, in addition to having received several prizes in competitions organised by the C.O.I. itself, meets all international quality standards. Thanks to our knowledge of the country and the sector, we are at the disposal of Italian olive oil producers and operators interested in partnerships and contacts with Tunisian producers.

Time for property shopping in Tunisia

It’s time for property shopping in Tunisia. The dramatic events of 2015 have affected daily life in exactly the same way as they have affected every other country….

It’s time for property shopping in Tunisia. The dramatic events of 2015 have affected daily life in exactly the same way as they have affected every other country in the world that has experienced or fears terrorist threats. Yes, there are more checks on the streets and queues have increased at ports and airports, but in people’s daily lives nothing has fundamentally changed: ask anyone who lives in the country or has been there recently what they think, and don’t stop to assess the situation by surfing the Internet for news and bulletins.

However, there has been one important consequence, which works in favour of those who are willing to invest: property prices, after years of rising, have fallen.

The phenomenon does not so much concern the capital or the urban areas, but the properties located in the tourist areas: both the classic and consolidated ones, such as Hammamet or Sousse, as well as the niches, generally preferred by those who already have experience of the country and are oriented towards non massive solutions. In the south, both in the coastal and pre-desert areas, or in the north, in places like Raf Raf or Tabarka, or in the north-east, in Cap Bon (for example in the Kelibia area), it is now possible to buy a house even for about 35-40 thousand euros. Indeed, during the summer of 2015, which obviously saw a significant drop in European tourism, many French and Northern Europeans became scouts in search of real estate bargains: a house bought at a knock-down price always proves to be a better way, compared to the classic deposit in a bank account, to use savings that, in Europe, would not allow to buy anything.

The same is true for businesses: acquiring a licence or the walls of a hotel can be a great deal today, for those who have a return on investment strategy that is not very short term. This is a good time for those who are able to act quickly. Contact us for more information: we will introduce you to opportunities, not necessarily on our site, that are truly remarkable.

LIVING IN TUNISIA

On this page we provide answers to some of the questions you may have when considering buying a home in Tunisia. We also give you some indications that we hope will be useful if you make the choice, already shared by many Europeans, to make long stays or even to settle in the country, taking advantage of an excellent climate and a standard of living incomparably higher than your income in Italy.

What language is spoken? The official language is Arabic, but French is spoken by everyone, as it is studied and used as the lingua franca from primary school. Bilingualism is then mandatory in all public offices, professional offices, banks, official documents, signage, and is general practice in commercial establishments and shop signs. But in fact, a third language is also spoken in Tunisia: Italian. Thanks to tourism, television (Italian television has been received since the 1960s), emigration and long-standing exchanges with Italy, it is very common to find someone in Tunisia who speaks Italian. In shops and restaurants, therefore, it is very easy!

As proof of the ancient cultural and linguistic links with Italy, it is sufficient to mention the fact that the Italian school operates in Tunis, with Italian teachers and ministerial programmes and with courses ranging from primary school to scientific high school diploma.

The climate: it is mild all year round and generally, even in the coastal areas, much less humid than here. The bathing season starts in April and lasts until the end of October, but in the south it can last even longer. Inland, the proximity of the Sahara makes the climate warmer but also very dry and ideal for those suffering from rheumatism, arthritis or asthma. However, thanks to the dry air and a constant light breeze, the heat in the south is much more pleasant and bearable than you might think.

When to go? Having a house in Tunisia allows you to discover the country all year round.

and to take advantage of the most and least touristy periods. Winter is ideal because of the absolute peace, the mild climate, the possibility of visiting all the regions of the country in the best conditions, especially the south (for some years now, it has been fashionable to spend the New Year in the desert). In spring and autumn, as we said, you can also go to the sea safely. In summer, it is still quiet in June and until mid-July. In contrast, from the second half of July to the end of August, the major coastal resorts are crowded. In this case, instead of the free beaches, it is better to go to the equipped beaches, where for a few euros you can rent a parasol and a deckchair. Or, given the high demand for summer rentals, rent by the month or even by the week.

What are the Tunisians like? Imagine Italy and Italians a few decades ago, before the stressful life, the mistrust and the feeling of insecurity typical of Western countries arrived in our country along with the economic well-being. The approach to Tunisians is cordial and relaxed: people get to know each other easily, human relations are generally very relaxed, it is common to greet foreigners in the street (as was the case in our country many years ago…), neighbours are considered as friends (and not as complete strangers that you only meet in the lift). Despite their close ties to France, Tunisians of all ages and social classes have a particular affection for Italians, as mentioned earlier.

But is it safe? Tunisians have always been known as a peaceful and tolerant people. It is true that the January 2011 revolution caused concern and fear among foreign visitors, resulting in a sharp decline in tourist arrivals. Since then, there has been a gradual recovery, culminating in the presentation of the new Constitution on 7 February 2014 in the presence of 40 foreign heads of state. On this occasion, French President Hollande said that Tunisia is an example for all countries that have undergone transformations, having, in a very short time, made a revolution that had an incredibly low impact in terms of instability and very quickly returned to normality. With the advent of free elections, freedom of the press, freedom of expression and freedom of demonstration, the country has entered a new phase: it is now possible to hold demonstrations and strikes, especially in the capital, which were previously strictly prohibited. But this is no more and no less than what has always happened in Europe. The country remains fundamentally very calm, with a much lower rate of micro-crime than in Europe and an awareness on the part of the government and law enforcement agencies that foreign investors and tourists are too important a resource to be undermined by a decline in law and order vigilance.

But they are Muslims… Tunisia is an example of a predominantly Muslim but secular and tolerant country. Everyone dresses as they like, women are integrated into work and study as much as in Italy, education is public and non-denominational (e.g. the veil in school is forbidden), school enrolment, even at higher levels, is high, health care is very good, there are Catholic churches (as well as synagogues) in the capital and in other tourist towns. The victory of the moderate Islamic party in the provisional elections of October 2011 did not significantly change this scenario.

How much does life cost? If you know Tunisia as a tourist, you know that everything related to tourism, starting with hotels, restaurants and bars, costs much less than in Italy. It’s almost a pleasure to pay 10-15 euros for a lunch for two, or 30 cents for a coffee (which, by the way, is as good as in Italy in many bars)… The same applies to everyday life: for example, bread, which is excellent, costs 35 cents a kilo, pasta 33 cents, petrol and other energy products cost much less. The prices of some basic necessities (bread, pasta, milk) are capped (as was the case in Italy until the 1980s). In a medium-sized city with all amenities (e.g. Monastir or Sousse), the rent for a three-room flat in a good neighbourhood is around 200-250 euros (certainly not in a luxury building by the sea…). With a house you own, or at least without paying rent, you can already live well on 5-600 euros a month, which for a Tunisian is a good salary. With an income of about 1,000 euros per month, you can afford to treat yourself and save money.

Currency: The official currency is the Tunisian dinar, which at the current exchange rate is worth about 48 euro cents. Money can be exchanged in the many bank and post offices, but also in the appropriate agencies, which are always open. In many establishments, euros are also accepted directly.

Living: Tunisians, like many other peoples, are very attached to housing and investment in bricks and mortar. This is why houses, especially new ones, are built according to Western standards in terms of comfort and accessories, and are generally more spacious. As in France, and in almost all other European countries, the kitchen and bathrooms are already furnished. Many houses for sale to foreign buyers can be purchased already furnished.

Also…

Keeping in touch with Italy

On a daily basis : Each house or apartment building is equipped with a satellite dish that allows you to watch all Italian national television channels (public and private). The telephone and Internet infrastructure is very good. Italian newspapers can also be found in many newsstands in Tunis and in the main tourist towns.

Transport: there are direct daily flights from Tunis to Rome and Milan, as well as charter flights from various Italian airports to Tunis, Monastir and Djerba throughout the year, but especially in spring and summer. Depuis novembre 2009, il existe également un vol régulier bihebdomadaire entre Malpensa et Tozeur, permettant de découvrir le fascinant Sahara tunisien même pendant un long week-end. Regular ships run from Tunis to the ports of Palermo, Trapani, Salerno, Civitavecchia and Genoa on various days of the week. Eating:Tunisia is above all a country of fish -abundant and cheap- and vegetables, which are found in many varieties and which, thanks to the climate, are tastier than ours.

But you can also find pasta everywhere, of which (did you know?) Tunisians are the third largest consumers in the world. In short, we are in a country where all the main products of the Mediterranean diet are available (starting with the oil, which is delicious and lighter than Italian oil). What is missing, however, is a tradition of cheeses, which have only recently begun to be consumed. As far as meat is concerned, pork is lacking, but all other varieties are available, including lamb, which is much better than that sold in Italy. For coffee, no problem. Finally, spirits: many Tunisians, especially the elderly, do not drink for religious reasons (while beer is very popular among the young). Wine, beer and spirits are therefore not sold everywhere, but to find them you just have to go to a good supermarket, especially in tourist areas (by the way, Tunisia is a wine producing country). As far as restaurants are concerned, Italian pizzerias and restaurants, as in the rest of the world, are everywhere.

Driving:Let’s start by saying that you can bring your own car and use your normal Italian driving licence, with which you can also rent a car. Secondly, for those who do not know Tunisia, let’s immediately dispel the easy stereotype of the Arab country with impossible traffic, impassable roads, few rules, etc. The traffic in the big cities is in most cases less important than here, the roads are good and criss-crossed by many roundabouts (which have existed since before Italy), the signposting is excellent, drivers stop more often than here at pedestrian crossings (it doesn’t take much…), the roads are constantly controlled by the police (who are very kind to foreigners). Of course, we are not in Switzerland, but we are not in Cairo or Bombay either. Although Tunisians complain about it, you can find parking more easily than here.

Banks and post offices: the banking system is comparable to ours and in any bank you can make all kinds of transactions with Italy and all European countries. ATMs are everywhere. If you choose to live in Tunisia, or stay for long periods, you can open an account in any bank and have your income credited directly in euros without any problem. In the banks, as in all offices, French is spoken, but you are likely to find Italian speakers too. Post offices are very numerous and have longer opening hours than banks. You can carry out all monetary transactions that are carried out in our post office (including money transfers to and from abroad).Health care:The Tunisian health system, based on the French model, deserves a mention. Public health care is free. Hospitals and clinics are numerous and well-equipped, and the level of the medical class is excellent: the older generation of doctors (as well as professionals in many other disciplines) have almost all graduated in France, while the new generation is graduating from Tunisian universities which have an excellent reputation. Even today, however, many doctors specialise in France after graduation. Even the pharmacies are all public. Private health care is also of a good standard, with a large number of specialist practices of all branches and clinics. It is significant that in Tunisia there is no mixing of public and private: every doctor works exclusively either for the public health service or as a private practitioner. Finally, it is worth mentioning the dentists: Tunisian dentistry has reached such a level of excellence that an important flow of « dental tourism » has been created over the years, mainly from France and Belgium (countries where dentists also cost on average much less than in Italy.) Given the difference in the cost of living, a treatment or operation in Tunisia costs less than in Europe, even taking into account travel and accommodation costs! There are many dentists organised to provide treatment and operations to foreigners in the short time of a stay.

House and golf: Your house next to the golf course

Tunisia has become a popular international golf destination. Nine courses are currently available, which may not seem like much compared to the hundreds of courses offered in Italy or Spain, for example. This figure is expected to double by 2020 according to the IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tourism Operators). But the most important thing is that in Tunisia, the emphasis has not been on quantity (a factor of little relevance, given the small number of local practitioners), but on the quality of courses and facilities, and above all on the development of a global offer, with well differentiated and therefore complementary courses. It is no coincidence that the design of many of the camps was entrusted to the same designer, Ronald Fream, one of the world’s leading names in this field. Indeed, Tunisia today has a lot to offer to golf lovers from all over the world, as it presents itself as a « golf system »:

• All the courses are large and have been designed by the best international architects (in addition to Ronald Fream, Yves Bureau and Martin Hawtree); the level of maintenance of the greens and facilities is everywhere very high, as evidenced by the comments of the users themselves (see, for example, the comments page of the authoritative golf website world golf.com, at http://www.worldgolf.com/courses/tunisgcs.html ;
• The offer is well segmented by difficulty level and is coordinated to meet the needs of both beginners and more experienced players;
• The camps are strategically located in the most famous tourist areas of the country;
• Each camp has its own landscape and environmental characteristics representative of the place where it is located: you can, for example, choose to play among palm trees and sand dunes by the sea in the Djerba camp, or on the edge of the desert in the Tozeur camp, or on a rocky inlet in the Tabarka camp;
• Each camp is served by adjacent or nearby real estate and tourist facilities.

There are already many European golfers (mainly French and British, but also Italians) who have become regulars in Tunisia and who have combined business with pleasure by investing in villas or flats near their favourite courses. Owning a property near a golf course is not only a profitable investment, but also the opportunity to practice and relax (even if only for the weekend) less than two hours by plane and at any time of the year, especially when the climate is less favourable in Europe. Not to mention the interesting experience of being in contact with other people from different European countries who share the same interests.

Our site’s advanced search contains a dedicated parameter for golfers, which allows you to have at your fingertips a screen of properties adjacent to or near golf courses in various parts of the country, or to identify, for each selected property, the nearest golf courses and their distances. We particularly recommend taking a look at the properties in Hammamet (only a few minutes away from the Yasmine and Citrus courses), in the Sousse region (where the El Kantauoi golf course is located) and in the Djerba region, where we present, among others, a small complex of 9 villas, only one kilometre away from the Djerba golf club You will find solutions for every need: studios and flats of various sizes in condominiums and newly built residences, as well as villas of various sizes.

Here, from north to south, is a brief description of the golf courses in Tunisia

Tabarka Golf Course – Tabarka

Situated on 118 hectares of eucalyptus, Aleppo pine and oak forests, the Tabarka course is an 18-hole, par 72 course with a length of 6,400 metres. An extension to 27 holes is planned. Designed by Ronald Fream, it is one of the few courses in the world with seven holes on the water (the course also crosses an inlet). Like the Cypress Point Club in California (one of the most exclusive courses in the world, also designed by Ronald Fream), it is a course for experienced players.

18-hole rates (including green fees and tee times), valid until October 2009: from 53 euros (1 day) to 318 euros (7 days).

Equipment rental, courses for all levels, training courses possible on site.

Caddies, golf carts, pro shop, club house, bar, restaurant. Address: ZoneTouristique, 8110 Tabarka / Tel. +216 78 670 038 Back to the list

Carthage Golf Club – Tunis / Carthage

Founded in 1927, entirely renovated and redesigned by Yves Bureau in 1991, Carthage Golf is, according to all those who have tried it, a very technical course. Strategically located 10 minutes from Tunis airport and as many minutes from the capital, it is an 18-hole, par 66 course, 4254 meters long, which extends over 29 hectares shaded by palm trees, orange trees and a forest of eucalyptus and cypress trees. The setting is of great beauty, both in terms of the lush vegetation and the view of the Carthage area which, with its Roman ruins by the sea, is one of the most picturesque places in Tunis.

18-hole rates (including green fees and tee times), valid until September 2009: from 40 euros (1 day) to 186 euros (5 days).

Equipment rental, courses for all levels, training courses possible on site.

Caddies, golf carts, pro shop, club house, bar, restaurant. Address: Choutrana II, 2036 Soukra – Carthage / Tel. +216 71 765 700 Back to list

Golf Citrus – Hammamet

Designed by Ronald Fream, Golf Citrus is the largest and most luxurious golf course in Tunisia. Located on 173 hectares of woods and land planted with olive and orange trees, it has a total of 45 holes and consists of two courses, both suitable for all categories of golfers:

– The Forest, 18 holes by 72, 6,128 metres

– The Olive Trees, 18 by 72, 6,144 metres

plus a 9-hole « executive course », by 28 1,221 metres.

The course has one of the largest driving ranges in Tunisia and five putting greens.

18-hole rates (including green fees and tee times), valid until September 2009: from €65 (1 day) to €388 (5 people).

Equipment rental, courses for all levels, training courses possible on site.

Caddies, golf carts, pro shop, club house, bar, restaurant.

Shuttles from various points in the city and the tourist area of Hammamet.

Address: B.P. 132, 8050 Hammamet / Tel. +216 72 226 500 Back to the list

Golf Yasmine – Hammamet

Also designed by Ronald Fream and opened in 1990, Golf Yasmine, Hammamet’s second golf course, runs along the hills between the sea and the forest. It is a course that allows a wide range of shots and is suitable for players of all levels, with 18 holes, par 72, 6062 metres and 9 school holes, par 30, 1217 metres and a large practice area.

18-hole rates (including green fees and tee times), valid until May 2009: from 62 euros (1 day) to 284 euros (5 days).

Equipment rental, courses for all levels, training courses possible on site.

Caddies, golf carts, pro shop, club house, bar, restaurant.

Shuttles from various points in the city and the tourist area of Hammamet.

Address: B.P. 61, 8050 Hammamet / Tel. +216 72 227 001 Back to the list

Golf Sea Course El Kantaoui – Sousse / Port El Kantaoui

Also designed by Ronald Fream, it was built in 1979 and subsequently expanded to 132 hectares. The 36-hole course (par 144, 12,536 metres) includes the 18-hole « Panorama » course (par 72, 6045 metres) and the 18-hole « Sea Course » course (par 72, 6253 metres). It is a high level course, among the most sought after in Tunisia, which ends at the seaside and overlooks the beautiful marina of Port El Kantaoui, 5 kilometres from the centre of Sousse.

18-hole rates (including green fees and tee times), valid until October 2009: from 56 euros (1 day) to 315 euros (7 days).

Equipment rental, courses for all levels, training courses possible on site.

Caddies, golf carts, pro shop, clubhouse, bar, restaurant.

Address : Station Touristique, 4089 Kantaoui – Sousse / Tel. +216 73 348 756 Back to the list

Golf Flamingo – Monastir

One of the most famous and classic courses in the southern Mediterranean, designed by Ronald Fream for the most demanding golfers, the Flamingo Monastir is an 18-hole course (par 72, 6,140 metres) of great technicality, stretching between slopes and Roman ruins, on a terrain of centuries-old olive trees. The course is classified as a Championship course, a must for international golfers, but nevertheless interesting for all levels, thanks to 5 teeing areas per hole, 3 practice holes and a large practice area.

18-hole rates (including green fees and tee times), valid until May 2009: from 48 euros (1 day) to 203 euros (5 days).

Rates for 9 holes: 28 euros per person.

Possibility of hiring equipment on the spot, courses at all levels, training courses.

Caddies, golf carts, pro shop, club house, bar, restaurant.

Address: Route Ouerdanine, B.P. 168, 5000 Ouerdanine – Monastir / Tel. +216 73 500 284 Back to the list

Palm Links Golf Course – Monastir

Monastir’s second course, inaugurated in 1994, is an 18-hole, par 72, 6,140-metre championship course, set in a landscape of palm trees and natural dunes, which also includes a 9-hole (par 27) golf school and a 7-hectare 360-degree practice area. Flat and particularly suitable for intermediate players, with 3 holes located at the water’s edge.

18-hole rates (including green fees and tee times), valid until November 2009: from 49 euros (1 day) to 2,195 euros (7 days).

9-hole rates: from 36 euros (1 day) to 162 euros (5 days).

Equipment rental, courses for all levels, training courses possible on site.

Caddies, golf carts, pro shop, club house, bar, restaurant.

Address: B.P. 216, 5060 Monastir Republique – Monastir / Tel. +216 73 521 911 Back to list

Golf Club Djerba – Djerba

Designed by the Englishman Martin Hawtree, the Djerba Golf Club comprises 2 x 9 holes (par 73, 6,169 metres) and 9 holes par 36, 2,242 metres. It covers 120 hectares dotted with palm groves and sand dunes. Some Faiways are no more than 40 metres wide and the course ends at the seashore.

18-hole rates (including green fees and tee times), valid until November 2009: from 53 euros (1 day) to 296 euros (7 days).

Equipment rental, courses for all levels, training courses possible on site.

Caddies, golf carts, pro shop, club house, bar, restaurant.

Address: B.P. 360, Z.Tourist, 4116 Midoun – Djerba / Tel. +216 75 745 055 Back to the list

Oasis Golf Club – Tozeur

On the edge of the desert, a majestic setting welcomes the latest Tunisian course, also designed by Ronald Fream and located near the tourist area of Tozeur. An 18-hole, 6,350-metre long course (already planned to be doubled) covers an area of 80 hectares. Its 35 hectares of lawn are watered with recycled water to preserve the water table. Nestled in the palm grove area of Tozeur (one of the largest in the world), the course fully recreates the magical atmosphere of the famous Saharan oasis town and its natural environment. The obstacles are formed by desert rock faces. In particular, hole 3, accessible from 9 different tee positions, offers the player a challenging and exciting experience.

Equipment rental, courses at all levels, training courses are available on site.

Caddies, golf carts, pro shop, clubhouse, bar, restaurant. Address: B.P. 48 Poste Elchorfa – 2243 Tozeur / Tel. +216 76 470831

ITALIAN PENSIONERS IN TUNISIA – A GUIDE

For Italian pensioners who move to Tunisia, the law grants significant tax benefits, which result in an increase in the net pension received

This is an opportunity to be seriously considered, not least because the increase in the net pension is accompanied by a much lower cost of living, so that the retiree who moves to Tunisia will see a substantial increase in income. The Tunisian law n° 2006-85 of 25 December 2006 ratified, as from 2007, a tax reduction scheme of 80% on pensions received by nationals of various countries, including Italy, with which Tunisia has concluded a tax convention known as the « double taxation treaty ». In summary, the mechanism is as follows: the pensioner who is an Italian citizen must apply for a residence permit, effectively living in Tunisia for most of the year (i.e. for at least 6 months + 1 day per year). He/she must also have a bank account, to which the pension received from Italy will be credited. In these circumstances, the pension will be paid by the Italian authority on a gross basis, i.e. without withholding tax, since, under the tax treaty, it will no longer be taxed by the Italian State but by the Tunisian State.

On such gross the State Tunisia grants the deduction of 80%, thus taxing only the remaining 20%.

Let’s take a practical example, based on a gross monthly pension of €1,000:

• GROSS monthly pension: 1,000 euros
• 80% deduction: 800 euros
• Taxable income: 200 euros
• Tax to be paid: 75 euros

800 were originally deducted by the Tunisian State, while the remaining 200 euros, constituting the taxable amount, become 125 after taxation (if the pensioner is then the head of a family, there is an additional deduction).

It is clear that the higher the pension, the more interesting the benefits become, but it is also true that for a small pension, the tax differential becomes even more valuable, especially if we consider, we repeat, that the cost of living in Tunisia is about half that of Italy.

As mentioned, in order to obtain and keep a residence permit in Tunisia, it is necessary to reside there for a minimum total of 6 months + 1 day per year, even if not continuously.

For more information, please contact us. On behalf of our clients, we also take care of practices related to residence permits and pension transfers, providing Italians who wish to make this choice with professional experts who can help them with all the bureaucratic and administrative aspects of their new life in Tunisia.

MOVING TO TUNISIA

Tunisia offers a good year-round climate, a moderate cost of living and close proximity to Italy. It is logical that many people are thinking of moving there, whether they are retired or individuals and families who intend to start a business.

In order to move to Tunisia, certain preconditions are naturally required and certain bureaucratic steps must be taken.

First of all, for those who know little or nothing about the country, our advice is to make a first exploratory trip, to see the reality for yourself. On our site, we try to give you as much information as possible, but it is natural that you should then judge for yourself, according to your own tastes and plans.

In this regard, we would like to summarise the essential information on how to move to Tunisia.

To reside in Tunisia, you must obtain a residence permit. Without a residence permit, you can only stay as a tourist for a period of 3 months. The residence permit is obtained under certain conditions required by law: possession of accommodation (not for short-term rental or ownership), opening a bank account, proof that you are able to support yourself.

For pensioners, the latter requirement is simply to prove their pensioner status. For others, it is essentially a matter of opening a business or, in the obviously rarer case, having an employment contract with a local company.

Pour d’autres, il s’agit essentiellement d’ouvrir un commerce ou, dans le cas évidemment plus rare, d’avoir un contrat de travail avec une entreprise locale.

Once the residence permit has been obtained, the pensioner has the right to request the transfer of his/her gross pension, without withholding tax, through a procedure that takes place mainly in Tunisia, as explained in the specific article on our site where we discuss the advantages that the law grants to pensioners.

If you wish, in addition to finding a house, we can take care of all the necessary bureaucratic and logistical procedures for you, thanks to our staff and trusted professionals who are in constant contact with the relevant Tunisian institutions. Our support service consists of different stages or modular packages that can be subscribed to in full or individually.

– assistance in opening a bank account and obtaining a residence permit;

– help in applying for a pension transfer;

– if you are not retired, search for the activity best suited to your needs and assistance in all the bureaucratic procedures necessary for you to take up and manage the activity;

– assistance with customs formalities for the registration of your car (compulsory once you have your residence permit)

– various logistical assistance for contacts with organisations, suppliers, institutions, etc.

For those who intend to move to Tunisia and are alone, we can organise a matching service with other people in the same situation, allowing them to get to know other single Italians with whom they could possibly share a flat. If you are in this situation, do not hesitate to send us an e-mail to: info@caseintunisia.com with your contact details, or to contact us via skype at the caseintunisia account. We will contact you.

For more information on practical life in Tunisia and on Tunisia as a country that is very suitable for pensioners (even those with a low pension, let alone those with a good pension), we invite you to visit the following links, where we are also mentioned

http://www.voglioviverecosi.com/index.php?voglio-vivere-cos-comprare-acquistare-casa-all-estero-offerte-immobiliari-estero-investimenti-all-estero_36/vivere-investire-andare-in-pensione-in-tunisia_1516/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPUp-ZxZbdQ