2026 is a turning point for the National Business Register (RNE). Since 1 July 2026, formalities can only be filed online, and access to the services requires a digital identity. For founders, it's as much a change of method as a time saver.
This guide explains what has changed, what you need to register your company online, the steps on the platform, and the points to watch, especially if you live abroad.
In short
- Since 1 July 2026, the RNE has made electronic filing the only route: no more paper filing of formalities.
- Access requires a digital identity: Mobile ID for individuals, DigiGo for legal entities.
- The RNE's director general announced online fees cut by half and processing in 24 to 48 hours once the file is complete.
- Tunisians abroad who hold a CIN can obtain their digital identity through the E-Houwiya app.
What changed in 2026
The RNE was created by law no. 2018-52 of 29 October 2018. It has gradually opened its services online: name reservation, registration, register extracts. In 2026 it took a further step:
| Before July 2026 | Since 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Filing online or at the counter | Electronic filing only |
| Standard identification | Digital identity mandatory (Mobile ID or DigiGo) |
| Separate steps across administrations | A single journey from name reservation to register documents |
| Paper documents to keep | An electronic safe for every registered company |
According to the Tunisian press, reporting announcements by the RNE's director general, Adel Chouari, online service fees are cut by half compared with traditional procedures, and services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What you need before you start
A digital identity
This is the condition for access. For an individual, it's Mobile ID, the digital identity on your phone. It can also be used to sign documents electronically with legal effect.
If you live abroad: since February 2024, Tunisians living abroad aged 18 or over who hold a CIN can obtain their digital identity through the E-Houwiya app, with a virtual appointment. It's valid for three years and renewable remotely. Sort this out early: without it, you can't use the platform yourself.
A ready file
Online registration doesn't spare you from preparing the documents: company name, statuts, proof of registered office, the manager's ID, beneficial owner declaration. Our list of documents to create a SARL in Tunisia covers them one by one.
The steps on the RNE platform
- Log in with your digital identity.
- Reserve the company name: the certificate is valid for 6 months.
- Enter the company details: form (SARL or SUARL), corporate purpose, registered office, capital, partners and manager.
- Upload the documents: signed statuts, proof of registered office, IDs.
- Declare the beneficial owner, meaning the individuals who control the company.
- Pay the fees online.
- Receive the register extract once the file is accepted. Publication is made in the RNE's electronic bulletin, with no extra fee according to the registry.
According to the RNE's director general, quoted by Tunisie Numérique, the tax ID is sent automatically to the register to complete incorporation, and processing takes 24 to 48 hours once all the information has been submitted. For the tax ID itself, see our article the matricule fiscal in Tunisia.
What going digital doesn't change
Going online speeds up processing, but it doesn't fix a badly prepared file. The reasons files come back are the same:
- a corporate purpose that's too vague or doesn't match a recognised activity;
- a registered office without valid proof;
- inconsistent information between the statuts, the IDs and the form;
- a missing authorisation for a regulated activity.
Online, these errors are simply flagged faster. Real timelines therefore depend mostly on the quality of the file: that's why we usually quote 3 to 7 working days from filing to registration, including preparation and any corrections. More in our article on how long company registration takes.
The electronic safe
Every registered company now has a dedicated space, presented as an "electronic safe" (coffre-fort électronique). It lets you view the company's legal documents at any time and send them electronically to public bodies, at no extra cost according to the RNE. Handy for opening a bank account or answering an administration without ordering paper extracts again.
Do you still need an intermediary?
The platform is designed to be used directly by entrepreneurs. It also provides access for professionals, such as lawyers and accountants, under agreements with the RNE.
Doing it yourself is therefore simpler than before, provided you have a digital identity, time and an unambiguous file. An intermediary remains useful if you'd rather delegate preparation and follow-up, if you don't have a digital identity yet, or if your situation falls outside the standard case. The options are compared in our guide to the cost of registering a company in Tunisia.
Frequently asked questions
Can you still file a file at an RNE counter?
No. Since 1 July 2026, the RNE has made electronic filing the only route for formalities. Steps are done online, with a digital identity.
Which digital identity does the RNE require?
Mobile ID for individuals and DigiGo for legal entities, according to the announcement reported by the Tunisian press in May 2026.
Can a Tunisian living abroad register a company online?
Yes, with a digital identity. Tunisians living abroad who hold a CIN have been able to obtain one through the E-Houwiya app since 2024. See also our guide to creating a company in Tunisia from abroad.
How much does online registration cost?
The RNE's official checklists show a 50 TND fee for registering a legal entity, and the RNE's director general announced a 50% reduction for online services. Check the amount shown when you pay.
How long does online registration take?
The RNE announces 24 to 48 hours once the file is complete. Including preparation and any corrections, allow 3 to 7 working days.
Would you rather we handled the whole process? Tell us about your project.
Sources
- The RNE moves to exclusive electronic filing from 1 July 2026 — Tunisie Tribune (in French)
- RNE: administrative steps fully online from 1 July — La Presse de Tunisie (in French)
- Digital identity and simpler procedures: what changes for founders — Tunisie Numérique (in French)
- Tunisians abroad can now obtain a digital identity — L'Économiste Maghrébin (in French)
- Registration document checklists — National Business Register (in French)
