Safety in Tunisia: what governments advise, area by area
No European foreign ministry advises against travel to Tunisia as a whole; a state of emergency has been in force since November 2015, and vigilance remains the rule in tourist areas. The ministries advise against the central-western mountains, the far south near Libya and the town of Ben Guerdane; their limits differ for Sbeitla, the mountain oases, Ain Draham, Ksar Ghilane, Chenini and Douiret.
Checked on 20 October 2026
In short
As of October 2026, none of the European foreign ministries tracked by Sabaro advises against Tunisia as a whole. Tunis, Carthage, Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, Kairouan and Djerba lie in no advised-against area; vigilance remains the rule there, and a state of emergency has been in force nationwide since 24 November 2015.
The advice focuses on the country's edges: the central-western mountains near Algeria, where the army conducts operations, the Algerian border strip, the far Saharan south, a military zone since August 2013, and the town of Ben Guerdane, near Libya. Each ministry draws these limits its own way, and their positions diverge for about ten tourist sites, from Sbeitla to Ksar Ghilane.
This guide gives your country's advice, then the situation in each area and at each site. Travel advice is guidance, not law; travelling to an area your ministry advises against can, however, invalidate travel insurance: check what your policy covers.
Your foreign ministry's advice
Foreign ministries do not all give the same advice. Here is your country's, as of 20 October 2026:
| Country | Official advice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | The country is under heightened vigilance and a state of emergency in force since 24 November 2015. Keep away from demonstrations and from places where security forces are posted, avoid night travel off the main roads, and fly or use the motorway to reach the south-west. A passport has been compulsory since 1 January 2025. Advised against (red): the far-south Saharan area near Libya and Algeria (military zone created in August 2013, entry by prior permit), the town of Ben Guerdane, and Mounts Orbata, Selloum, Semmama, Chaambi and Mghila. Advised against unless essential (orange): the desert south and east of the Bir Rjim Maatoug – Borj Bourguiba – Ben Guerdane line; the areas between Mounts Chaambi, Semmama and Mghila, south of Mount Selloum and around Mount Orbata; in Jendouba and Le Kef governorates, a 5 km strip along the Algerian border except roads to official crossings. Check with the authorities before visiting rural areas between Kasserine, Sbeitla, Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa off the Gafsa-Kasserine and Gafsa-Sidi Bouzid roads. Table de Jugurtha (Le Kef): on organised tours with a guide. Its map, dated 4 February 2026, also shows an orange strip along the whole Algerian border. | Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères (France Diplomatie), Conseils aux voyageurs, Sécurité (Site last updated 15 September 2026) |
| Belgium | With due vigilance, travellers may visit Tunisia except the border areas with Algeria and Libya. Outside the coastal zone, use certified tour operators and agencies in close contact with the Tunisian security services. Heat (over 40 °C) and forest fires in summer. Strongly advised against: the Algerian border area west of the Jendouba – Le Kef – Kasserine – Feriana – Tameghza (Tamerza) axis, and the mountain areas of Kasserine and Le Kef governorates; the Libyan border area south of the Rjim Maatoug – Bir Ellouza – Bir Aouine – Borj Bourguiba – Remada – Ben Guerdane axis (military zone). Travel in the far south requires a permit from Tataouine governorate. | SPF Affaires étrangères, Commerce extérieur et Coopération au Développement (Belgique), Conseils aux voyageurs (Site last updated 2 October 2026) |
| Switzerland | Travel to Tunisia is considered generally safe. The political, social and economic situation is tense (demonstrations, strikes, possible curfews); the 2015 state of emergency remains in force and the risk of terrorist attacks persists nationwide. Reach your destination before nightfall. Advised against: the Algerian border area west of the Tabarka – Tozeur road, including the whole of Kasserine governorate (kidnapping risk in the Chaambi, Selloum and Mghila mountains); the Libyan border region. Tourist and non-urgent travel advised against south of the line Algerian border – Tozeur – Douz – Tataouine – Zarzis. The towns of Tabarka, Tozeur, Douz, Tataouine and Zarzis may be visited with the stated precautions; desert trips only in a group with a reliable local guide. | Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE, Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages (Site last updated 3 November 2025) |
| United Kingdom | Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia; higher risk around religious and tourist sites, festivals, government buildings and places where foreigners gather. State of emergency since 2015, frequent checkpoints. Demonstrations mostly at weekends and on national dates (14 January, 17 December). Possible power cuts in summer. Against all travel: Chaambi Mountains National Park; military operations zones of Mounts Salloum, Sammamma and Mghila; the militarised zone south of El Borma and Dhehiba; within 20 km of the Libyan border north of Dhehiba; Ben Guerdane and its surroundings. Against all but essential travel: north and west of Ghardimaou (Jendouba governorate), including El Feidja National Park; within 20 km of the Algerian border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of Jendouba town, including Chemtou; the whole of Kasserine governorate, including Sbeitla; within 10 km of the rest of the Algerian border south of Kasserine governorate; within 10 km of Mount Mghila; Mount Orbata; within 75 km of the Libyan border, including Remada and El Borma, excluding Zarzis, the C118 road and Medenine governorate north of it. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate travel insurance. | Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO, ministère britannique des affaires étrangères), Foreign travel advice (Site last updated 24 July 2026) |
| Germany | The security situation has broadly stabilised, but the terrorist risk remains high, including at busy tourist spots; stronger police presence in summer. State of emergency nationwide. Decree-Law 54 provides up to ten years in prison for spreading 'false information' online. Desert trips only in organised groups with a guide. Travel advised against: south and south-east of the line Algerian border – Tozeur/Nefta – Douz – Ksar Ghilane – Tataouine – Zarzis; the immediate Algerian border area, especially the mountains from Ain Draham to Kasserine governorate inclusive; Mounts Chaambi, Selloum and Mghila; individual, unorganised desert tours. Ben Guerdane and surroundings: particularly tense. A strip of about 20 km along the Libyan border and part of the southern Algerian border are military zones closed without a governorate permit. | Auswärtiges Amt (ministère fédéral des affaires étrangères, Allemagne), Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Site last updated 6 October 2026) |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg's foreign ministry publishes no Tunisia-specific advice: it refers travellers to the travel advice of Belgium, France and Germany. | Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes, de la Défense, de la Coopération et du Commerce extérieur (Luxembourg), Avis de voyage (accessed 20 October 2026) |
| Ireland | High degree of caution and strong security awareness; state of emergency since 24 November 2015. Avoid unnecessary travel, especially at night outside urban areas, and demonstrations (frequent on Friday afternoons in city centres). Do not travel: Chaambi Mountain National Park; within 30 km of the borders with Algeria and Libya; Ben Guerdane and surroundings; the militarised zone of Tataouine governorate south of (but not including) El Borma. National Guard permission needed for some desert areas near the Algerian border. | Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA, ministère irlandais des affaires étrangères), Travel advice (Site last updated 16 July 2025) |
| Sweden | Since 30 March 2023, following an improved security situation, the Swedish ministry only advises against specific border and mountain areas. Against all travel: within 30 km of the Libyan border and Ben Guerdane; the militarised Chaambi, Samamma, Mghila, Selloum and Orbata mountains; the area south of El Borma and Dhehiba. Against non-essential travel: within 30 km of the Algerian border south of Jendouba town, except the Table de Jugurtha plateau; within 5 km of the Algerian border from Gafsa region southwards, except the town of Tamaghza (Tamerza). | Utrikesdepartementet (UD, ministère suédois des affaires étrangères), UD avråder (Site last updated 30 March 2023) |
| Denmark | The whole country except the orange and red zones: stay alert and follow the authorities, media and your travel agency. High terrorist risk; state of emergency, checks at tourist sites, photo ID compulsory. Do not go alone into the mountains or desert: use recognised agencies and guides. Red (very high risk): Mounts Chaambi, Salloum, Sammamma, Mghila and Orbata; the area south of a line passing south of El Borma and Remada and north of Ben Guerdane. Orange (non-essential travel advised against): the Algerian border area from south of Jendouba and Ghardimaou (P6 road) to El Borma, except Jendouba, Le Kef and Dahmani towns (yellow); Kasserine governorate except Kasserine town (yellow); the area south of a line from El Borma to south of Zarzis, including Remada but not Tataouine (yellow). | Udenrigsministeriet (ministère danois des affaires étrangères), Rejsevejledninger (Site last updated 18 May 2026) |
| Poland | State of emergency in force; photographing military and government sites or security forces is forbidden (arrest of at least 5 days possible). After the summer 2026 heatwave, electricity, running water and fuel supplies are back to normal and bottled water is gradually returning to shops. Level 3: region 1, the Sahara and desert areas near the Algerian and Libyan borders, excluding tourist routes; region 2, the central-western mountains (Mounts Orbata, Selloum, Semmama, Chaambi and Mghila). | Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych (ministère polonais des affaires étrangères), service Odyseusz (Site last updated 3 September 2026) |
| Czechia | Increased caution during the stay, especially outside hotel resorts; avoid crowded places off the usual routes, isolated areas and going out at night; restrict photos to resorts and monuments, no public buildings or strangers. State of emergency since 24/11/2015. Warning against travel: areas near the Algerian and Libyan borders; mountains of Kasserine and Le Kef governorates; towns around Siliana and Kasserine; the desert south of the Bir Rjim Maatoug – Borj Bourguiba – Ben Guerdane line; the north-western mountains. The country sheet adds: high risk west of the Ain Draham – Jendouba – Le Kef – Kasserine – Sidi Bouzid – Gafsa – Tozeur line and south of the Tozeur – Kebili – Medenine – Zarzis line; south of Tataouine, military zone, governorate permit to request 4 to 6 weeks ahead outside organised tours. | Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí (ministère tchèque des affaires étrangères), Upozornění na cesty (Site last updated 10 April 2025) |
| Netherlands | Yellow for most of the country: specific security risks. Red, do not travel: the border area with Libya, largely a military zone, especially south of Ben Gardane; the desert areas south of the Al Borma – Remada – Ben Gardane line (criminals and terrorist groups, increased kidnapping risk); the Algerian border from west of the town of El Kef southwards, keeping at least 2 km from the border; the Chaambi massif and the Mghila, Semmama and Salloum mountains (armed clashes, explosives and landmines). Orange, essential travel only: the area between the south of the town of Tataouine and the Al Borma – Remada – Ben Gardane line; the town of Kasserine and its surroundings. Limited terrorist threat, state of emergency since 2015, road checks; outside the coastal area, travel with tour operators and agencies certified by the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism. Regular demonstrations, especially in Tunis. | Nederland Wereldwijd (ministère néerlandais des Affaires étrangères), Reisadvies Tunesië (Site last updated 17 September 2026) |
| Norway | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | |
| Austria | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | |
| Italy | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | |
| Spain | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | |
| Portugal | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | |
| Finland | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | |
Advice changes: before you leave, check France Diplomatiediplomatie.belgium.beDFAE (eda.admin.ch)mae.gouvernement.luGOV.UK (FCDO)ireland.ie (DFA)Auswärtiges AmtRegeringen (UD)Udenrigsministeriet (um.dk)RegjeringenOdyseusz (MSZ)MZV ČRBMEIANederland WereldwijdViaggiare Sicuriexteriores.gob.esPortal das ComunidadesUlkoministeriö (um.fi).
Area by area
The coast, from Tunis to Djerba
Tunis, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, Gammarth, Bizerte, Cap Bon, Hammamet, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia, Sfax, Kairouan, Djerba and Zarzis are outside every advised-against area; the ministries ask for vigilance there. The 2015 attacks targeted tourists, at the Bardo Museum in March and at Port El Kantaoui in June, where 38 foreign tourists were killed, 30 of them British. Later attacks have mainly targeted the security forces: on 9 May 2023, a shooting near El Ghriba synagogue in Djerba killed three members of the security forces and two civilians. Racist assaults have also been reported in Tunis, Sfax and Gabès.
Zarzis is the resort closest to the advised-against areas: Ben Guerdane, strongly advised against, is 41 km away as the crow flies. Zarzis itself is the end point of lines beyond which some ministries advise against travel; the town can be visited. The "Travel advice" table on the Djerba, Zarzis and the South-East page gives your country's advice.
The north-west and the Algerian border
Several ministries advise against a strip along the Algerian border, hiking included, except on the roads to official crossings; its width ranges from 5 to 30 km depending on the ministry. Central Tabarka is about 10 km from the border, Bulla Regia 30 km and central Ain Draham 4.6 km: depending on the width used, they fall inside or outside the strip. Some ministries also explicitly advise against the mountain areas of Ain Draham, the area north and west of Ghardimaou, including El Feidja park, or the Chemtou site. The Table de Jugurtha, near Le Kef, should be visited only on an organised tour. The "Travel advice" table on the Tabarka and Kroumirie page gives your country's advice.
The centre-west: Kasserine and the mountains
The ministries strongly advise against the Chaambi, Selloum, Semmama, Mghila and Orbata mountains, which are military operations zones. Beyond them, they differ over Kasserine governorate, home to the Roman site of Sbeitla: some advise against the whole governorate, others only its mountains. Before exploring the countryside between Kasserine, Sbeitla, Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa, off the Gafsa – Kasserine and Gafsa – Sidi Bouzid roads, travellers are advised to check with the authorities. The "Travel advice" table on the Kairouan page gives your country's advice for Sbeitla.
The mountain oases and the Jerid
Tozeur, Nefta, the Chott el Djerid, Ong Jmel, Mos Espa and Metlaoui are in no strongly advised-against area; Tozeur and Nefta are on the line beyond which some ministries advise against the desert. The mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Midès are less than 10 km from Algeria, inside the border strips several ministries advise against, with Chebika on the edge of some of them. The "Travel advice" table on the Tozeur, Nefta and the Jerid page gives your country's advice.
The Saharan south and Douz
Douz is on the line beyond which some ministries advise against the desert: the town can be visited, while those ministries advise against the desert to the south. Tembaine and Jbil National Park are south of that line; Ksar Ghilane is on it or south of it, depending on the ministry. Other ministries place these sites outside the advised-against areas. Further south, the desert beyond the Bir Rjim Maatoug – Borj Bourguiba line is advised against by some ministries, and the Grand Erg Oriental is strongly advised against: it is a military zone where all travel requires prior authorisation. Go into the desert only in an organised group with a guide. The "Travel advice" table on the Douz and the Sahara page gives your country's advice.
Tataouine, the ksour and the Libyan border
Tataouine, 97 km from Libya, is on the line beyond which some ministries advise against travel; the town can be visited. Chenini and Douiret, about twenty kilometres south-west, are south of that line, so advised against by those ministries, and outside the advised-against areas for others. South and east of Tataouine, towards Remada and Dhehiba, all the advice tightens up to the strongly advised-against zone, and travel in the far south requires a permit from Tataouine governorate. The "Travel advice" table on the Djerba, Zarzis and the South-East page gives your country's advice.
Sensitive tourist sites, place by place
Situation as of 20 October 2026. Distances are measured as the crow flies to the borders in OpenStreetMap. Your country's advice for each place appears in the "Travel advice" table on its region page.
| Place | Situation | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Tamerza, 3 km from Algeria | inside the border strips advised against by several ministries | Tozeur, Nefta and the Jerid |
| Chebika, 8 km | inside the border strips of several ministries, on the edge of some | Tozeur, Nefta and the Jerid |
| Midès, under 1 km | inside the border strips advised against by several ministries | Tozeur, Nefta and the Jerid |
| Sbeitla | Kasserine governorate, advised against as a whole by some ministries | Kairouan |
| Ain Draham, 4.6 km | on the edge of or inside the border strips; mountains advised against by some ministries | Tabarka and Kroumirie |
| Ksar Ghilane | on or south of the line beyond which some ministries advise against the desert | Douz and the Sahara |
| Chenini | south of that line, advised against by some ministries | Djerba, Zarzis and the South-East |
| Douiret | south of that line, advised against by some ministries | Djerba, Zarzis and the South-East |
| Tataouine | on the line; the town can be visited, permit needed for the far south | Djerba, Zarzis and the South-East |
| Douz | on the line; the town can be visited, the desert to the south is advised against by some ministries | Douz and the Sahara |
| Zarzis | on the line; the town can be visited | Djerba, Zarzis and the South-East |
| Djerba | no advised-against area | Djerba, Zarzis and the South-East |
What Sabaro does
Sabaro offers no trip idea, excursion or hotel in an area advised against by any of the five ministries it follows for its offer: those of France, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Germany. The rule applies to every client, whatever their nationality.
- The sites concerned (Tamerza, Chebika, Midès, Sbeitla, Ain Draham, Ksar Ghilane, Chenini, Douiret and the desert south of Douz) are described on their region page, whose "Travel advice" table gives your country's advice.
- The hotels in the selection are all in towns that none of these five ministries advises against, Douz and Tozeur included, both on the edge of the advised-against desert.
Advice changes: before you leave, check France Diplomatiediplomatie.belgium.beDFAE (eda.admin.ch)mae.gouvernement.luGOV.UK (FCDO)ireland.ie (DFA)Auswärtiges AmtRegeringen (UD)Udenrigsministeriet (um.dk)RegjeringenOdyseusz (MSZ)MZV ČRBMEIANederland WereldwijdViaggiare Sicuriexteriores.gob.esPortal das ComunidadesUlkoministeriö (um.fi).
Precautions during your stay
- Security forces. Keep away from places where they are posted, the targets of the latest attacks, and never photograph military sites, public buildings, including the presidential palace in Carthage, police officers or an official motorcade: you risk arrest for espionage.
- Checkpoints. Police and army checkpoints are frequent on the roads: slow down and show your papers. Always carry ID or a copy of your passport photo page.
- Demonstrations. They mostly take place at weekends, on Friday afternoons in city centres and on national dates, 14 January and 17 December. Keep well away; strikes and curfews are possible.
- At night. Avoid road travel at night outside towns and off the main roads; to reach the south-west, fly or take the motorway.
- Online. Decree-Law 54 provides for up to ten years in prison for spreading "false information" online.
- Drones. They need prior authorisation, or they will be confiscated.
- Desert. Only in an organised group with a guide; on quad bikes, wear a helmet, as safety standards vary widely.
- Summer. Power cuts are possible during heatwaves, and forest fires break out.
- Emergencies. Police: 197; ambulance: 190.
The guide Customs and etiquette in Tunisia covers dress, alcohol and the laws to be aware of, and the guide Getting around Tunisia covers driving.
Read next
Frequently asked questions
Is Tunisia dangerous for tourists?
No European foreign ministry advises against the country as a whole. A state of emergency has been in force since November 2015, and the terrorist threat is considered high, especially around religious and tourist sites and festivals. The areas advised against are the border regions near Algeria and Libya. This guide gives your country's advice.
Is Djerba advised against?
No. Djerba lies in no advised-against area; vigilance is called for there, as in the other tourist areas, since the attack near El Ghriba synagogue on 9 May 2023.
Can I visit the desert in Tunisia?
Douz and Tozeur can be visited. Some ministries advise against the desert south of a line through Tozeur, Douz and Tataouine, and the ministries ask visitors to go into the desert only in a group with a guide. The far south is a military zone requiring authorisation. The Douz and the Sahara page gives your country's advice.
Can I visit Sbeitla?
Some ministries advise against Kasserine governorate, where Sbeitla lies; others only ask travellers to check with the authorities before visiting the surrounding countryside. The Kairouan page gives your country's advice. Sabaro does not offer Sbeitla.
Which numbers should I call in an emergency?
Police on 197 and ambulance on 190.
Official sources
- France Diplomatie, Tunisie, Sécurité (accessed 20 October 2026)
- SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgique), Tunisie, Sécurité générale (accessed 20 October 2026)
- DFAE (Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages, Tunisie (accessed 20 October 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Tunisia travel advice (accessed 20 October 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO), Tunisia, Regional risks (accessed 20 October 2026)
- Auswärtiges Amt, Tunesien: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (accessed 20 October 2026)
- Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes (Luxembourg), Avis de voyage (accessed 20 October 2026)
- Department of Foreign Affairs (Irlande), Tunisia travel advice (accessed 20 October 2026)
- Utrikesdepartementet (Suède), UD avråder, Tunisien (accessed 20 October 2026)
- Udenrigsministeriet (Danemark), Rejsevejledning Tunesien (accessed 20 October 2026)
- Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych (Pologne), Odyseusz, Tunezja (accessed 20 October 2026)
- Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí (Tchéquie), Tunisko, upozornění na cesty (accessed 20 October 2026)
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