Tunisian IT exporters under the Central Bank's exchange rules

A Sfax software company builds applications for a Lyon insurer and a Paris retailer. Each euro payment arrives at its Tunisian bank within the regulation's deadline. Part is kept in a foreign currency account to pay for cloud services and software licences; the rest is converted to dinars for salaries.

A non-convertible dinar

The Tunisian dinar is not freely convertible. The Banque Centrale de Tunisie (BCT) administers the exchange regulation, which sets how residents receive, hold and spend foreign currency.

Repatriation

Exporters, including IT service exporters, must repatriate export proceeds to Tunisia within the regulation's deadline, through Tunisian banks.

Keeping foreign currency

Exporters can keep a share of proceeds in foreign currency accounts or convertible dinar accounts and use them for permitted payments abroad, such as software, services and equipment. This matters for IT companies with many foreign subscriptions.

Accounts abroad

Residents generally need BCT authorisation to hold accounts abroad. A revised exchange code, discussed for several years, aims to liberalise some rules. Check its status before planning.

Totally exporting companies

Companies under Tunisia's totally exporting regime have specific rules and benefits. See our separate guide for those companies.

Where Rivet fits

Rivet opens business accounts for registered companies after verification. Tunisia-registered companies must repatriate proceeds under BCT rules and generally need authorisation for accounts abroad, so check with your bank first. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.