Send Money To Tunisia
Sending money to Tunisia is easy, though you have fewer options than you would for many other international countries. This isn’t a significant problem, and you will be able to find a good service that fits your needs. This guide will find various money transfer services that support sending money to Tunisia. They offer competitive fees and fast processing times.
- Understanding the Economy of Tunisia
- How To Set Up a Money Transfer to Tunisia
- Ways To Send And Receive Money In Tunisia
- Things To Consider When Sending Money to Tunisia
- Benefits of Using Money Transfer Companies
- Top 3 Companies for Sending Money to Tunisia
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s The Overall Best Way To Send Money To Tunisia?
- Want to send money somewhere else?
Understanding the Economy of Tunisia
Tunisia is in the process of liberating its economy from heavy oversight and regulation. Therefore, there has not been a huge growth over the last decade. Overall, the economy of Tunisia can be described as developing and lower-middle-income.
The official currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian dinar, and at the time of writing, 1 TND is worth 0.34 USD. They have a GDP of $45.4 billion, ranked 93rd in the world. They export many goods, and their primary industries include clothing, agricultural products, chemicals, and electrical equipment. Their biggest export partners are France (29%), Italy (16.5%), and Germany (12.6%).
The developing economy of Tunisia is slowly allowing more financial services to be offered, which includes specialist transfer providers. By the end of this guide, you will see that many are currently operating, which makes sending money to Tunisia safe and cheap.
How To Set Up a Money Transfer to Tunisia
We understand that setting up your first money transfer to Tunisia can be overwhelming. The process is easier and faster than you might think. Below is a 3 step process that you can use for any specialist transfer provider that you find.
Find a Trusted Provider
Register with your chosen provider
Transfer Money
Ways To Send And Receive Money In Tunisia
Ways to send money to Tunisia
The choice of money transfer options for sending money to Tunisia is extensive. The available options depend on the service you are using and where you are located in the world. Here is a list of commonly used options that are available to many money transfer customers.
Bank transfers: sending money to Tunisia with banks is widely supported. Some of the top Tunisian banks include state owned Société Tunisienne de Banque (STB), Banque de l’Habitat (BH) and Banque National Agricole. The transfer time is around 2-7 business days, depending on the currency used and the amount sent. Specialist transfer companies offer faster processing speed.
Furthermore, the fees associated with bank wires are expensive at around $20-$50 per transfer. The high cost means that you will need to send large amounts of money for the deal to be favorable.
Balance transfers: using money transfer companies, you can send money with a balance transfer. These involve sending money from the sender’s eWallet to the recipients. The fees are low with such transfers and fast processing speeds. Companies like Wise provide instant processing speeds for most transfers. When they get held up, a notification system is in place to keep both parties informed of the progress.
Most balance transfers require a minimal amount of recipient details to process. Most companies allow you to enter a nickname or recipient email address to send money. In contrast, bank transfers require more details, so the transactions take longer.
Cash pickup: money transfer companies like WorldRemit provide cash pickup services, which is a good choice for recipients without a bank account. The sender can make a payment, and the recipient has to visit a physical location to get the cash. They will need to bring a photo ID and possibly the transaction reference number. The number of pickup locations depends on the service that is used to send money. Also, the speed of transfer is instant, which means the recipient can pick up the funds right away.
Home delivery: this is another method that is ideal for users who do not have a bank account. The recipient will get physical cash delivered at their home address by a transfer service. The coverage area depends on the local availability. Time taken to deliver cash is typically within two days, and there is a fee for the service.
Mobile app: using a mobile app to send money is fast and convenient. You will need to visit the App Store or Google Play to download and install the app. Mobile apps are available for banks and money transfer services. Not all of them offer international money transfers, so you need to check the features list.
Also, read the user reviews to get an idea of what to expect from a mobile app. They will give you a feeling of quality and if sending money is an easy process. The best mobile apps for sending money have a score of at least 4.0 out of 5.
Card payments: one of the most accessible methods of sending money is via card. That is because most people have a credit or debit card with popular companies like Visa or MasterCard. The processing time for this payment is instant, but there is a fee of around 1.5-3%. This can result in huge fees when making large transfers.
How to send money to Tunisia
In this section, we will share the process of actually sending money using different methods. This list is just an example of the most commonly used methods, and many more exist for you to learn.
- Account top-up: when using balance transfers, you will need to top up your account before sending money. This can typically be handled using card payments or a bank transfer. Some money transfer companies skip the top-up step by asking for a payment method that automatically initiates a transfer.
- Mobile app: send money to Tunisia using a mobile app by downloading from the App Store or Google Play. The process takes just a few minutes, and you can log in with the same credentials as on the desktop environment. You can set up log-in security protocols such as fingerprint, face scan, PIN, and 2-factor authentication. Once you are in your account, find the send money button and enter the required details. Balance transfers with mobile apps usually have shortcuts that allow you to send money within a few button taps.
- Phone call: sending money via phone call is a good option when other means are not available. You will need to dial the number of your money transfer service and have your personal details ready for verification. Also, you will need to share the recipient details and the amount you wish to send. It is a slow process but a good alternative if you do not have access to the internet.
What is needed to send money to Tunisia?
To successfully send money to a recipient in Tunisia from other countries you will need to acquire personal details. The specific detail you need depends on the type of money transfer you are making.
Bank transfers require the most details, which makes them relatively slow. However, when sending to the same recipient a 2nd time, the details may autofill. You will need to provide the recipient’s name, bank account, routing number, SWIFT code, and bank address. The specific details vary based on the bank to which you are sending from and to.
When making a transfer, using cash pick up or home delivery services will require fewer details. In the case of cash pick-up, only the recipient’s name is required. For home delivery, you will also need to share the recipient’s address where they would like to get the physical cash.
To simplify the money transfer process, consider using balance transfers. They require the fewest details and allow for a level of anonymity. That is because you can send money to a recipient only using the email address. Services such as Wise offer a function where the recipient can be found by only entering their email address.
How to receive money in Tunisia
There are multiple ways of receiving money in Tunisia, and being aware of them will help you reduce fees and get funds faster. With the choices below, everyone can get money in a way that matches their preferences.
- Money transfer service: arguably, using a specialist transfer provider is the best way to receive funds. That is because they have lower overheads compared with banks. These savings are passed down onto the customer in the form of lower fees. Also, most provide competitive FX rates, so you can save money when converting popular currencies to TND. Also, the mobile apps provided by these companies have easy-to-use interfaces and features. In most instances providing only the email address is enough to receive money using money transfer services such as Azimo, TorFX, and Xe.
- Pickup location: you can receive funds at a branch of the money transfer service. For example, WorldRemit has numerous branches spread out worldwide for customers. To receive the money, you will need to provide a photo ID and the transaction number. Also, funds are available immediately after the transaction has been initiated.
- Home delivery: receiving money with a home delivery requires that the recipient shares their name and address. When the delivery person arrives, personal identification must be provided to receive the cash. In most countries, home delivery services arrive within a few days, and a fee is usually deducted from the amount sent.
- Bank account: one of the more widely available ways of accepting money in Tunisia is via a bank transfer. The top banks where you can hold money in Tunisia include Société Tunisienne de Banque (STB), Banque de l’Habitat (BH) and Banque National Agricole. The transfer time is around 2-7 business days, which is significantly longer than balance transfers. Also, the fee is $20 to $50 per transfer. These fees are not ideal when sending small amounts of money.
- Mobile app: consider downloading a mobile app for your bank or money transfer service. It takes just a few moments to download and install apps from platforms like the App Store and Google Play. You will need to provide your email address or other personal details, which depend on the transfer method. Checking your balance via a mobile app to see if money has arrived can be done while on the move.
What is needed to receive money in Tunisia?
The information that is required to provide for receiving money depends on the transfer method. Recipients that want to get money straight to their bank account need to share the account numbers, bank name, bank address, personal name, and SWIFT code. Also, you can share the currency that you want to receive money in to help reduce conversion fees.
Fewer details are required when you are getting physical cash through home delivery or pick-up point. You will need to share your name and address for the former method. These methods are convenient for recipients that do not have a bank account or access to a money transfer service.
Money transfer services require a fewer number of details, which is convenient. Providing an email is typically enough to receive money with most companies. This is handy if you do not like to share personal details with others.
Receiving money in Tunisia requires you to document the activity with the tax authorities. The amount of tax you have to pay for receiving money from abroad depends on the reason for the transfers. If it is work or business-related income, then taxes need to be paid. You should document all transactions so that filling out documents is simple.
Hiring a tax accountant to complete your taxes is the best way to ensure that you are receiving money legally in Tunisia. Local tax accountants will understand the law like the back of their hands. They can guide you on when you do and do not have to pay taxes for international money transfers.
Things To Consider When Sending Money to Tunisia
You may want to send money to Tunisia for many reasons. This section shares the different reasons that customers use money transfer services. They will clue you in on what you need to consider to ensure the transaction is completed successfully.
Expats
If you know expats living in Tunisia, then you can send them money using a variety of money transfer services. Here is what you need to know to reduce costs and transfer time.
- Cost: avoid sending money using banks since the fees can be up to $50 per transfer. This is too expensive – especially for smaller transfers. Instead, use money transfer services that offer competitive fee structures. Also, ones that match the mid-market rate are important if currency conversion is required.
- Convenience: to conveniently send and receive money in Tunisia, you need to consider the available payment methods. Most money transfer services like Wise provide multiple payments and cash-out options. This flexibility ensures that the sender and receiver can utilize existing accounts to handle the transaction.
- Tax: gift transfers in Tunisia do not incur taxes. However, you should hire a tax accountant to ensure that the paperwork is filled correctly. Also, in some cases, gift transfers may fall under a different category, which is taxable.
Overseas Weddings
Tunisia is a nice place to have a quiet wedding that will be membered for a lifetime. To have a wedding that meets all your expectations, the right bookings need to be made. Therefore, you will need to rely on money transfers to ensure that the wedding goes smoothly.
- Speed: choose a fast money transfer service that allows the recipient to get funds instantly or within a few hours. Making bookings early ensures that the wedding has the best catering company and venue. Also, unforeseen expenses will naturally arise, and having adequate funds to pay for them is essential. Services like WorldRemit provide fast payment processing speeds that you can rely on.
- FX rates: avoid hefty mark-up margins with services like Wise and Xe. These services match the mid-market rate for many currency pairs, which most banks do not provide. Enjoying competitive FX rates means less money will be lost during the money transfer process.
- Taxes: sending money to pay for wedding expenses is not taxable in Tunisia. However, the recipient may need to document the transactions at the end of the tax year if they stay long enough in the country.
Buying Real Estate
There are many great places to purchase real estate in Tunisia. The prices are competitive, whether you are buying a home or a place to vacation. This section outlines what you should consider before buying real estate in Tunisia.
- Cost: when transferring large amounts of money to buy real estate, you need to keep costs low. Therefore, find a fee structure with a fixed cost so that the charges do not scale with the transfer size. Avoid percentage-based fee structures since they will result in massive charges for sending large amounts of money.
- Legalities: foreigners can legally buy property in Tunisia, and the government welcomes investments from overseas. However, the paperwork you need to complete depends on the property. Buying real estate in designated tourist areas requires no approval. However, when purchasing a home in residential areas, you will need to secure authorization from the government.
- Security: when sending huge sums of money, you need to make sure that security is not compromised. Use trusted money transfer companies that have a solid reputation and modern security features. Consider sending money in several batches to minimize the risks of one large transfer.
Salary
You can live in Tunisia and receive a salary from abroad. This might be from direct employment with a company or as a freelancer. Here is what you should consider to ensure that the process of receiving a salary in Tunisia is a smooth process.
- Taxes: you will need to pay taxes to the Tunisian government if you are living in Tunisia and receive a salary from abroad. The amount of taxes you must pay depends on details like the amount. Consider hiring a local lawyer to help you complete the required paperwork for filing your taxes.
- Fees: to avoid losing a significant portion of your salary in the form of fees, you need to choose a competitive transfer method. For instance, Wise charges less than 1% in fees for most money transfers, and they offer multiple cash-out options. Therefore, you’ll have more money to spend on your salary.
- Speed: receiving your salary quickly may be required to pay for bills and other expenses. Therefore, you should consider services that provide balance transfer. These allow you to get money within seconds of initiating the transfer. Link up the account to a credit card, and you can pay for goods and services instantly.
Business
You may wish to receive business funds when living abroad. It is possible to manage and grow an international business when living in Tunisia. Here is what you need to know to make the process easier.
- Processing speed: cash flow is a big problem in many growing businesses. Ensuring that funds arrive quickly and are available for reinvestment is paramount for growth. Choose money transfer services that offer quick transfer time to ensure that cash flow will not be a problem for your business.
- Fees: to retain the profitability of your business, low transfer fees are essential. You need to find a service that offers competitive fees when transferring large amounts of money. Wise is a service that charges a fair fee structure, which could support your business.
- Taxes: to avoid legal problems, you must file taxes for business income. Note that you have taxed on profit and not revenue. Hiring a qualified business tax accountant will help you run a business from Tunisia.
Pension
You can retire in Tunisia and receive pension money to pay for your living expenses. There are many lovely locations in Tunisia where living as a retiree allows you to experience a quiet pace of life. To make your stay simple, here is what you need to know about receiving pension money in Tunisia.
- Fees: to reduce fees when accessing your pension money, you need to find a money transfer service that is competitive. Compare several options to determine the best deal for the amount you wish to send. Also, FX rates that match the mid-market rate are ideal.
- Convenience: look for money transfer services that provide handy features for receiving pension money. For example, you can set up automatic weekly or monthly transfers to automate the process.
- Speed: choose services that offer fast processing times to ensure the pension money arrives on time. Balance transfers are ideal since they allow you to receive the money within seconds of initiating the transfers.
Benefits of Using Money Transfer Companies
We understand that you might be on the fence about using money transfer companies if you feel safe with banking. Therefore, in this section, we will show you why alternative specialist transfer services are the best way of sending money to Tunisia.
- Lower fees: services like Azimo charge lower fees than most banks, saving you money when transferring funds to Tunisia. Customers that send money many times per year will experience significant savings. Money transfer companies have lower overheads than banks, so they can pass the savings onto the customer.
- Faster processing time: the availability of balance transfer allows transfer specialists to offer instant transfer speeds without an extra charge. That is because these companies have bank accounts throughout the world. When users transfer money between countries, it is simply a matter of changing account details to reflect where the money has moved, which is a process that takes seconds.
- FX rates: most banks do not offer the best currency conversion rates. They charge a markup percentage fee that results in a loss of money. Services like Xe and Wise match the mid-market rate for many currency pairs. Therefore, you will be saving money on international money transfers when converting currencies.
- Convenience: most money transfer companies provide a streamlined experience that focuses on sending money. This means the user interface is easy to follow and offers a modern feel. The simplicity of the service ensures that new users can begin sending money within minutes of registering for a new account.
- Mobile app: most transfer services provide highly-rated apps that allow you to send money. You will need to visit the App Store or Google Play to download an app. Also, secure protocols can be set up to protect the login process to your account.
Top 3 Companies for Sending Money to Tunisia
There are many top-tier money transfer services to choose from, and it can be overwhelming to narrow down the options. Therefore, this section provides the best three services that you should consider for sending money to Tunisia.
1. Wise
Wise is widely considered to be an industry-leading money transfer service. They offer numerous benefits, which include fast processing speeds, low fees, competitive FX rates, and transparency. Therefore, customers understand what fees they are being charged at every step of the process.
The several payment and cashout options provided by Wise ensure that users have flexibility. You can choose the method that matches your preferences and offers the best deal for your money transfer needs.
2. Xe
Xe is a top-tier transfer provider for customers that want to enjoy the best FX rates. The transparent rates can be viewed on the homepage so you can compare them with other companies. Also, the rates are live, so they are updated constantly throughout the day and night. Up to 170 countries are supported by Xe Money Transfer, and Tunisia is among them.
Multilingual access is provided in several languages to accommodate customers. These include English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. Also, the customer service department is quick to respond when you have problems using their features.
3. WorldRemit
WorldRemit is known for its wide worldwide coverage of over 150 countries, and Tunisia is among them. They have more than 30,000 agent locations around the world, which provides access to cash pick-up delivery points. Also, you can get help from an employee in person.
The flexible payment options of WorldRemit allow you to send money in a way that matches your expectations. This includes mobile money, cash pick up, bank deposit, or credit card. Registering with WorldRemit takes just 5 minutes, and most money transfers arrive within 3 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s The Overall Best Way To Send Money To Tunisia?
The overall best way to send money to Tunisia is through Ria Money Transfer. For the sake of speed and overall cost efficiency, we recommend you use their faster option. With Ria Money Transfer’s fast option, your money should reach its Tunisian destination in a matter of minutes. Beyond this, the service they offer is well worth the price they ask you for. The wait times are very low, and while ease of use is a shortcoming for Ria Money Transfer, it’s far from the hardest platform to understand.
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April is a trained journalist and the Content Editor for MoneyTransfers.com. She has 10 years experience writing about a diverse range of subjects, from financial services to arts and entertainment. When she’s not writing about global remittances she can be found daydreaming about her next holiday abroad.