Who is Tunisian?
The following are Tunisian:
- a person born to a Tunisian father;
- a person born to a Tunisian mother, from 10 December 2010 onwards; before that date, a different regime applies;
- a person born in Tunisia whose father and grandfather were themselves born there;
- a person born in Tunisia to stateless parents who have been resident in Tunisia for at least five years;
- a person born in Tunisia to unknown parents;
- a person adopted, as an unmarried minor, by a person of Tunisian nationality;
- a foreign woman who marries a Tunisian man if, at the time the marriage is celebrated, she loses her original nationality by marrying a foreign national, under her national law;
- a foreign woman who marries a Tunisian man and who, under her national law, retains her original nationality upon marrying a foreign national, provided that she claims Tunisian nationality by declaration, if the couple has been resident in Tunisia for at least two years;
- a person naturalised as a Tunisian national.
How can you become a naturalised Tunisian?
The conditions for naturalisation are as follows:
- habitual residence in Tunisia for five years. The following are, however, exempt from this condition: a person who proves that their nationality of origin was Tunisian; a foreign man married to a Tunisian woman, if the couple is resident in Tunisia when the application is submitted; a foreign national who has rendered exceptional services to Tunisia, or one whose naturalisation is of exceptional interest to Tunisia;
- having reached the age of majority;
- knowing the Arabic language; how this condition is assessed depends on the situation of the person concerned;
- being of sound mind;
- not posing a danger to the community;
- not having been subject to imprisonment for an ordinary-law offence. Convictions handed down abroad may, however, be disregarded.
What is the naturalisation procedure?
Naturalisation is decided by decree of the President of the Republic. It is preceded by an administrative investigation stage, in which the departments of the Ministry of Justice in particular are involved.
How long does the naturalisation procedure take?
The administration is not bound by any time limit to respond to naturalisation applications. Processing an application takes several months, or even longer.
How do you prove that you are Tunisian?
Tunisian nationality is proved by a certificate of nationality. Depending on the case, this certificate is issued by the departments of the Ministry of Justice, by cantonal judges or by consular services.