In Tunisia, an occasional loan between private individuals falls under the Code of Obligations and Contracts and is lawful if written, in dinars and at a moderate rate, while regular lending is reserved for institutions licensed by the Central Bank of Tunisia.
The Tunisian civil loan and the banking monopoly
An uncle who advances 5 000 dinars to his niece concludes a civil loan governed by the Code of Obligations and Contracts. Someone lending regularly to the public for payment carries on an activity that law 2016-48 reserves for banks and financial institutions.
Excessive rates: law 99-64 as revised in 2022
Law 99-64 of 15 July 1999, amended by decree-law 2022-67, treats as excessive any rate above the average effective rate charged by banks in the previous half-year, plus a margin set by decree. The BCT publishes these thresholds every six months.
Fines of 30 000 to 100 000 dinars for usury
The 2022 decree-law punishes granting a loan at an excessive rate with a fine of 30 000 to 100 000 dinars. The text mainly targets credit institutions; whether it applies to an isolated private lender is a question for a Tunisian lawyer.
Crowdlending: law 2020-37 and BCT licensing
Law 2020-37 of 6 August 2020 organises loan-based crowdfunding under licence from the Central Bank of Tunisia, while the CMF, the financial market council, supervises securities crowdfunding. These platforms fund profit-making projects carried out in Tunisia, not personal spending.
Microfinance supervised by the ACM
For a small shop or workshop, microfinance institutions supervised by the Microfinance Supervisory Authority, such as Enda Tamweel or Taysir Microfinance, offer regulated credit. Compare their offer before approaching an unknown lender met online.
Acknowledgement of debt and legalisation at the town hall
Write a dated document showing both CIN identity card numbers, the amount in figures and words, the schedule and any rate, then have both signatures legalised at the municipality. Our peer-to-peer loan contract template sets out the useful clauses.
Cheques since law 2024-41 and Tunichèque
Law 2024-41 of 2 August 2024 reformed bounced cheques: since 2 February 2025, the Tunichèque platform lets you check funds are available in real time. Repayment by cheque remains possible, but a bank transfer leaves a clearer trail.
Diaspora, euros and exchange controls
Many family loans involve Tunisians living in France, Italy or Germany and relatives who stayed in the country. Since the dinar is not freely convertible, use an official bank or postal transfer rather than an informal money changer.
D17 phishing and fake La Poste sites
La Poste Tunisienne has warned users of its D17 payment app about phishing attempts. A fake lender who asks for a code received by text message or your D17 login details is preparing a theft, never a payment.
Upfront fees demanded on Facebook
Facebook pages promise quick loans in dinars in return for application, stamp duty or insurance fees paid in advance. This mechanism is detailed in our report on the social media loan scam; a genuine lender asks for nothing before lending.
Filing a complaint with the police or the prosecutor
A fraud victim can go to the police station, to the National Guard outside towns, or apply to the public prosecutor at the competent court of first instance. Bring screenshots, payment receipts and the phone numbers used.
Tunis, Sfax, Sousse, Kairouan and Bizerte
Practices vary by city: loans between traders in Sfax, seasonal tourism income in Sousse, carpet artisans in Kairouan. See our pages on peer-to-peer loans in Sfax and in Kairouan for local specifics.
Steps for a properly documented private loan in Tunisia
- Check the other party's identity with their original CIN, their address and a reachable phone number before discussing any amount.
- Draw up an acknowledgement of debt in dinars stating amount, term, instalments and rate, staying well below the threshold published by the BCT.
- Have both signatures legalised at the municipal office, or use a notary for a large sum.
- Pay the funds by bank or postal transfer to an account in the borrower's name, never in cash without a receipt.
- Keep a repayment log signed at each instalment and hold on to the matching statements.
- Ask a tax adviser or the local tax office how to declare any interest received.
Costs and penalties linked to private loans in Tunisia (indicative)
| Item | Tunisian framework | Amount in TND (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Interest between relatives | Often zero; excessive rate ceiling published by the BCT | Variable, to be checked |
| Legalising signatures | Municipal office, on presentation of the CIN | Small fee |
| Notarial deed | Notary, for a large amount or a guarantee | On quotation |
| Crowdlending platform | BCT licence, profit-making projects only | According to the platform's price list |
| Fine for an excessive rate | Decree-law 2022-67 | 30 000 to 100 000 |
| Fees demanded by a fake lender | Advance payment by D17 or money order | Money lost |
Documents to gather for a loan in Tunisia
- National identity card (CIN) of both parties
- Signed and legalised acknowledgement of debt
- Borrower's bank or postal account details
- Proof of income: payslip, salary certificate or trading licence
- Dated repayment schedule
- Proof of the initial transfer
Mistakes and scam signals in Tunisia
- Paying application or stamp duty fees before receiving the loan, especially by D17, postal money order or top-up card.
- Accepting a cash loan with nothing in writing, relying on a promise made at a family celebration.
- Setting a rate above bank practice, which exposes the lender to the excessive rate regime and its fines.
- Giving an unknown lender a signed guarantee cheque with no amount or date, which can be filled in and cashed without your knowledge.
- Sharing a text message code, a banking password or a photo of your card with a so-called lender.
Your questions about private loans in Tunisia
Can a private individual in Tunisia lend with interest?
A civil loan with interest is not banned as such, but the rate must not become excessive within the meaning of law 99-64. Lending on a regular basis requires a banking licence. Have your contract checked by a lawyer or notary before signing.
Can a crowdlending platform finance my car purchase?
In principle no: law 2020-37 covers profit-making projects carried out in Tunisia by a project owner. Personal consumer spending is rather a matter for a bank, a financial institution or a written family loan.
What if the borrower repays me with a bounced cheque?
Since law 2024-41, the bank notifies the drawer, who has a period to settle before a certificate of non-payment is issued. The payee can then refer the matter to the public prosecutor. A lawyer will help you choose between criminal proceedings and a civil claim.
Where can I report a fake lender in Tunisia?
File a complaint at the nearest police or National Guard station, or apply to the public prosecutor. If the scammer used D17 or an e-Dinar card, alert La Poste Tunisienne immediately to try to block the transaction.