Living in Tunisia: cost of living, rents and the salary you need

Updated 2 October 2026

How much do you need to earn to live in Tunisia? Here are rents in the main cities, the minimum wage, healthcare, residence permits and moving costs, with the official source of every figure. For your own case, the calculator starts from your real budget, in your city, and moves it to Tunisia.

Work out my budget in Tunisia

Example: the same life, elsewhere

A single person living in London in a one-bedroom home, with the average spending of a similar household, spends about £3,350 a month. To keep the same life in Berges du Lac 2, they would need about 3,030 DT (≈ €900) net a month locally (−77%), i.e. 6 times the SMIG.

For a couple with two children in a two-bedroom home (state school), it would take about 5,330 DT (≈ €1,580) net a month in Berges du Lac 2, i.e. 10.6 times the SMIG.

Calculated on 2 October 2026 with the official averages of London and the destination’s prices. Yours depends on your city, home and habits: the calculator works it out in a few minutes, no sign-up.

Rents in Tunisia

City	Studio	1 bedroom	2 bedrooms	3-bedroom house	1 bedroom in euros
Berges du Lac 2	1,590 DT	1,590 DT	2,090 DT	2,740 DT	€470
Jardins de Carthage	1,530 DT	1,530 DT	1,970 DT	2,350 DT	€450
La Soukra	1,240 DT	1,240 DT	1,460 DT	1,720 DT	€370
Ennasr 2	1,100 DT	1,100 DT	1,480 DT	1,700 DT	€330
El Aouina	1,100 DT	1,100 DT	1,250 DT	1,370 DT	€330
El Menzah 9C	1,030 DT	1,030 DT	1,430 DT	1,700 DT	€310
Riadh El Andalous	840 DT	840 DT	1,120 DT	1,360 DT	€250
El Mourouj 6	740 DT	740 DT	930 DT	1,080 DT	€220
Hammamet North	1,000 DT	1,000 DT	1,210 DT	1,420 DT	€300
Nabeul	720 DT	720 DT	900 DT	1,150 DT	€210
Sahloul 4	870 DT	870 DT	1,170 DT	1,340 DT	€260
Monastir	860 DT	860 DT	1,060 DT	1,270 DT	€260

Monthly rent in TND, outside the most sought-after areas. Studio 28 m², 1 bedroom 45 m², 2 bedrooms 65 m², house 95 m² where rent is known per m². Mubawab, rental barometer for the first half of 2025: average asking rent of unfurnished flats by neighbourhood, for the most sought-after neighbourhoods of Greater Tunis, Cap Bon and the Sahel (2025-S1).

Wages

The SMIG is 500 DT (≈ €150) net a month (550 DT gross).

Net of the employee’s CNSS contributions, 9.68%; income tax, almost nil at this level, is not deducted.

Healthcare

With a job you are registered with CNSS and covered through CNAM; without a job, plan for private or international health insurance.

In the example above: with a local job you contribute to CNAM, the compulsory health insurance: we count your remaining health costs at local prices (£10 a month).

Visa and residence permit

Beyond the visa-free stay, apply for the residence card at your local police station, with an approved employment contract or, for retirees, proof that your pension is transferred regularly.

Cost: 150 DT (≈ €40) per adult.

Residence card stamp duty.

To live on income from abroad: the residence card for retirees, with your pension or other income transferred regularly to Tunisia.

Moving in and everyday life

Deposit: 2 months’ rent
Agency fees: 1 month’ rent
School: Free state school
Electricity: 0.24 DT per kWh
Home cleaning: 0 DT an hour

Frequently asked questions

What salary do you need to live in Berges du Lac 2?

For a single person keeping the same life as in London: about 3,030 DT (≈ €900) net a month, i.e. 6 times the SMIG.

How much is rent in Berges du Lac 2?

About 1,590 DT (≈ €470) a month for a one-bedroom home and 2,090 DT for a two-bedroom home, according to Mubawab, rental barometer for the first half of 2025.

Do you need a residence permit to live in Tunisia?

Beyond the visa-free stay, apply for the residence card at your local police station, with an approved employment contract or, for retirees, proof that your pension is transferred regularly. Cost: 150 DT (≈ €40) per adult.