Taking a motorhome to Tunisia

Taking a motorhome to Tunisia is only possible by ferry across the Mediterranean. The crossing itself is straightforward; the more demanding part is crossing the border from the EU into a non-EU country: temporary importation of the vehicle, an online registration with customs mandatory since 2025, the right insurance, and your passport. On this page you'll find the routes for campers compared, the customs and insurance rules, and tips on vehicle dimensions, gas bottles and the best time to travel. If a dog is travelling with you, its outward and return entry rules are covered in the guide Taking a dog to Tunisia.

Routes for motorhomes

All ferries to Tunisia arrive at the port of La Goulette near Tunis. Broadly, you have two options:

• Short crossing from Sicily: Palermo - Tunis crosses the Strait of Sicily in around ten hours. A short sea crossing, but a long drive through Italy beforehand.
• Mediterranean overnight ferries: Genoa - Tunis, Civitavecchia - Tunis and Salerno - Tunis from Italy, plus Marseille - Tunis from France, take around a day as multi-day ferries with cabins. You sleep through most of the journey and save yourself plenty of motorway kilometres.

Temporary importation and documents

As the driver, you need a passport to enter; an ID card is not enough for Tunisia. Carry the vehicle registration document and driving licence with you - a national driving licence is recognised - and the vehicle's nationality sticker belongs on the vehicle.

For the vehicle, a three-month circulation permit is issued on entry. Customs enters the vehicle details in your passport, because selling the vehicle in Tunisia is only allowed after paying customs duty. If you want to stay longer than three months, contact the relevant Tunisian diplomatic mission in advance.

Online registration with customs

Since 2025, you must register online with Tunisian customs in advance to enter with a foreign vehicle. You enter your vehicle and travel details and receive a QR code, which you present when boarding or on arrival at the port of La Goulette. Without this registration, no circulation permit is issued and entry is refused. Complete it in good time before departure, not just at the terminal.

Insurance: Green Card or border insurance

You must carry a Green Card insurance valid for Tunisia. What matters is that the country code TN is validly marked on the card and not crossed out. Many standard European policies don't cover Tunisia. If that's the case, you take out border insurance directly at the port or the border. Check your cover before departure so you don't lose time at the port.

Vehicle dimensions and gas bottles

Motorhomes are grouped into price categories by length. To avoid surprises at check-in:

• Total length including fittings: bike racks, rear boxes and tow bars all count.
• Total height: measure including roof units, air conditioning and satellite dishes.
• Combinations and oversized vehicles: often only bookable by phone through the operator.

If you're travelling with gas bottles, safety rules apply. As a rule, bottles must be turned off and labelled. Since requirements vary by operator, check them before booking. The vehicle deck stays closed during the crossing, so take everything important - documents, medication, a change of clothes - with you into the cabin before boarding.

Best time to travel

Ferry services to Tunisia run year-round; sailings are most frequent in summer and ports are busiest, especially during the travel period of Tunisians living in Europe. If you're flexible, spring and autumn offer quieter crossings and usually cheaper fares. To see the departures on your travel day, check the timetable.