The Tunisian dinar (TND) is what's known as a "closed" currency: it is illegal to buy it in France or to bring it in as cash. Here's a practical look at how many euros to plan for, how to exchange money on the spot and how to convert your dinars back when it's time to leave.
The Tunisian dinar, a closed currency: what it means for you
Tunisia enforces strict exchange controls. The Tunisian dinar is not freely convertible outside the country: Tunisian regulations prohibit importing or exporting it as cash. The direct consequence for a traveller leaving from Paris: you won't be able to obtain TND before you go, neither at a bank nor at a bureau de change, in France or anywhere else in Europe. All currency exchange happens on the spot, when you arrive.
The dinar is divided into 1,000 millimes. So you'll see prices displayed with three decimal places (for example 2.500 DT). It's a quirk worth knowing so you don't make mistakes when paying or checking your change.
How many euros to plan for before you leave
Since buying dinars in advance is impossible, the right approach is to travel with euros in cash that you'll exchange once you're there. The euro is the easiest currency to change in Tunisia: it is accepted at all official exchange counters, often on better terms than other currencies.
Plan for enough to cover your first expenses on arrival (taxi, first meal, small purchases), then adjust according to the length and style of your stay. It's best to bring banknotes in good condition and to avoid carrying excessive amounts. A regulatory reminder on the European side: above €10,000 (or the equivalent) in cash when leaving or entering the European Union, a customs declaration is mandatory.
Before departure, it's also a good time to take stock of your cash. At Paris Change, in Saint-Michel, our currency buying and selling services cover more than 53 currencies: handy for preparing a multi-stop itinerary or for organising your euros before your flight to Tunis, Djerba or Monastir.
Exchanging your euros on the spot: where and how
On arrival, several options are available to you:
- Airport bureaux de change: convenient for changing a first amount as soon as you land and paying for the trip to your accommodation.
- Authorised banks and bureaux in town: they apply an official rate regulated by the Central Bank of Tunisia, broadly consistent from one establishment to another.
- ATMs (cash machines): plentiful in cities and tourist areas. Withdrawing dinars there is straightforward, bearing in mind any fees applied by your French bank.
Key point: always keep your exchange receipts. These vouchers prove that your dinars come from an official exchange and will be requested when you convert your cash back before leaving the country.
Converting back on departure: keep your receipts
Since you can't leave with dinars in your pocket, the ideal approach is to change money gradually and not to hold on to a large amount at the end of your stay. If you have dinars left over, you'll be able to convert part of them back into euros at the airport, in an official bureau de change, on presentation of your original receipts.
Converting back is capped and subject to conditions, and the precise rules can change: check them with the Tunisian bureau de change or your airline before departure. The best safeguard remains to pace your withdrawals throughout your stay so you end up with the minimum of dinars on hand.
Practical tips specific to Tunisia
- Cash culture: cash dominates by far. Cards work in hotels, restaurants and large chains in tourist areas, but souks, taxis, cafés and small shops operate in cash.
- Tips: tipping (often called "baksheesh") is a widespread habit for waiters, porters, guides or drivers. Always keep a few small notes and coins in millimes.
- Haggling: in the medinas, haggling is part of the exchange. Having small notes makes negotiation easier and saves you waiting for change.
- Safety: spread out your cash and avoid flashing large wads of notes in busy places.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Tunisian dinars in France before I leave?
No. The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency and exporting it is prohibited: no bureau de change or bank can sell you any in France. You must travel with euros and exchange them on the spot, as soon as you arrive in Tunisia.
Is it better to pay directly in euros in Tunisia?
Some tourist businesses accept euros, but often at an unfavourable rate. For your everyday spending, it's better to pay in dinars obtained from an official bureau de change or an ATM.
What should I do with the dinars I have left at the end of the trip?
You can't bring them home. Convert them back into euros before going through airport security, in an official bureau, by presenting your exchange receipts. Which is why it's worth pacing your withdrawals carefully during your stay.
Planning other destinations or want to take stock of your cash before departure? Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), welcomes you at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel (75005 Paris), in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Open 7 days a week (Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm), commission-free and with more than 53 currencies. Book online and collect your currency in store.
