You live in France, Belgium, Germany or Canada and want to set up a company in Tunisia without putting your life on hold to fly back for weeks? It's possible, provided you get two things right: the power of attorney that lets someone act for you on the ground (or a digital identity that lets you act online yourself), and the authentication of your signature from your country of residence.
This guide is for Tunisians living abroad (TRE) who hold a national ID card (CIN). It covers the steps to create a SARL or a SUARL remotely, the documents to prepare, realistic timelines, and the points that most often cause delays. If you're new to the subject, start with our complete guide on how to create a company in Tunisia.
In short
- Creating a company in Tunisia from abroad is possible for a SARL or a SUARL: online with a digital identity (E-Houwiya / Mobile ID), or through a representative holding a power of attorney.
- The power of attorney must carry a legalised signature: at a Tunisian consulate, or locally with an apostille if your country accepts it with Tunisia.
- France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada and Belgium: the apostille works with Tunisia. Germany and Austria: it doesn't, so you need consular legalisation.
- Once the complete file is filed, registration typically takes 3 to 7 working days. Allow extra time for the power of attorney and posting originals.
Can you really create a company in Tunisia remotely?
Yes. Law no. 2019-47 on improving the investment climate opened up remote incorporation for SARLs and SAs, through the exchange of documents and payment of fees. And since 1 July 2026, the National Business Register (RNE) has made electronic filing the only route, with access through a digital identity.
Two routes therefore exist:
- Online, with your digital identity. Tunisians abroad who hold a CIN can obtain a digital identity through the E-Houwiya app, then use the RNE platform themselves. We cover this route in our article on RNE online registration.
- Through a representative, with a power of attorney. A trusted person, relative or service provider prepares and follows the file on your behalf. This is the solution if you don't have a digital identity yet, or prefer to delegate. The APII one-stop shop, which still publishes its list of original documents, also remains a filing route.
The fully online route is new: keep the power of attorney as a fallback in case a step gets stuck.
The steps, in order
- Choose the legal form: SARL if there are at least two of you, SUARL if you're alone. Our comparison SARL or SUARL in Tunisia helps you decide.
- Reserve the company name online on the RNE website. The reservation certificate is valid for 6 months, which gives you time to organise the rest.
- Choose the registered office: registered lease, domiciliation certificate, or personal address with a certificate of ownership.
- Have the statuts drafted and signed, along with the power of attorney naming your representative.
- Have your signature legalised at the consulate or by apostille (see below), then send the originals to Tunisia.
- File at the APII one-stop shop (online admissibility check, then an appointment). The declaration of existence leads to the tax identification card.
- Register the company with the RNE online, including the beneficial owner declaration. The register extract confirms the company exists.
Every document is detailed in our list of documents to create a SARL in Tunisia.
The power of attorney: the document that makes it all work
According to the official APII list, if the person filing is not the founder, the file must include:
- the original power of attorney;
- a copy of the representative's ID.
For a Tunisian principal, the power of attorney must carry a legalised signature. It must specify the powers granted and, where relevant, authorise the representative to sign in place of the manager, stating whether this covers signing the statuts.
A vague power of attorney is one of the most common blockers: if the wording doesn't cover exactly the act to be performed, the desk can refuse it.
Consular legalisation or apostille: which one for your country?
Your signature has to be authenticated. There are two routes.
At a Tunisian consulate
According to the Foreign Ministry's e-consulat service, signature legalisation requires the signatory to be present in person, a valid ID, and payment of a chancery fee, by appointment. This route works whatever your country of residence.
Locally, with an apostille
Tunisia joined the Hague Convention abolishing the requirement of legalisation (the "apostille" convention); it has been a party since 30 March 2018. But several states objected to its accession, and the convention does not apply between them and Tunisia.
| Country of residence | Apostille valid with Tunisia? | Recommended route |
|---|---|---|
| France | Yes | Apostille or consulate |
| Italy | Yes | Apostille or consulate |
| Switzerland | Yes | Apostille or consulate |
| Canada | Yes, since 11 January 2024 | Apostille or consulate |
| Belgium | Yes, since 11 June 2025 (objection withdrawn) | Apostille or consulate |
| Germany | No, 2017 objection still in force | Consular legalisation |
| Austria | No, 2018 objection | Consular legalisation |
Source: official table of the Hague Conference (HCCH), checked on 1 October 2026. If you live in Germany, our dedicated page starting your company in Tunisia from Germany explains how to organise it.
How long should you allow?
| Step | Indicative time |
|---|---|
| Name reservation | A few minutes online, valid 6 months |
| Drafting the statuts and power of attorney | A few days, depending on how quickly partners respond |
| Legalisation or apostille + posting originals | Variable: depends on available appointments and postal times |
| Filing, tax card and RNE registration | Typically 3 to 7 working days once the file is complete |
The part abroad, signatures and post, is what stretches the timeline most. We cover the causes of delay in our article on how long company registration takes.
The mistakes that cost the most time
- An incomplete power of attorney that doesn't mention signing the statuts.
- An apostille from a country that doesn't accept it with Tunisia, such as Germany.
- An expired CIN: a copy of the manager's CIN is part of the file.
- A poorly evidenced registered office: a domiciliation certificate without the provider's tax ID, or an unregistered lease.
- Forgetting what comes next: tax ID, CNSS and bank account, all worth anticipating before registration.
And after registration?
Once the company exists, you still need to open a business bank account, organise the bookkeeping and, if you hire, register with the CNSS. Our guide to opening a business bank account in Tunisia covers that step, often the trickiest one from abroad.
On personal tax, if you are tax resident in another country, check with an adviser: the tax treaties between Tunisia and your country determine where your income is taxed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you create a company in Tunisia without travelling?
For a SARL or a SUARL, yes. Since July 2026, RNE formalities are done online with a digital identity, which Tunisians abroad holding a CIN can obtain through E-Houwiya. Without a digital identity, a representative with a power of attorney carrying a legalised signature can act for you.
Do you need a CIN to create a company in Tunisia from abroad?
The APII list asks for a copy of the CIN for a Tunisian manager. Foreigners provide a passport and, depending on the activity, a trader's card. Our service is designed first for Tunisians who hold a CIN.
Where can I get a power of attorney legalised if I live in France?
At a Tunisian consulate by appointment, with the signatory present and a valid ID, or locally with an apostille, since France and Tunisia both apply the Hague Convention between them.
Is the apostille accepted from Germany?
No. Germany objected to Tunisia's accession in 2017, and according to the HCCH's official table the objection has not been withdrawn. You need consular legalisation.
How long does it take to set up a company from abroad?
Once the complete file is filed, registration typically takes 3 to 7 working days. Add the time to legalise the power of attorney and post the originals, which depends on your country, available consular appointments and postal times.
Living abroad and ready to launch? Tell us about your situation: we'll tell you exactly which documents to legalise and in what order.
Sources
- Documents required to incorporate a SARL/SUARL, including the power of attorney — APII, updated 31 August 2026 (in French)
- One-stop shop, company incorporation steps — APII (in French)
- Signature legalisation — e-consulat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in French)
- The RNE moves to exclusive electronic filing from 1 July 2026 — Tunisie Tribune (in French)
- Tunisians abroad can now obtain a digital identity — L'Économiste Maghrébin (in French)
- Status table of the Apostille Convention — HCCH
- Objections to Tunisia's accession to the Apostille Convention — HCCH
- Law no. 2019-47 on improving the investment climate — analysis by Boussayene Knani & Associés (in French)
