New Bill Aims to Revise Tunisian Nationality Code
A new bill seeking to revise certain provisions of the Tunisian Nationality Code was submitted to Parliament on March 1, 2026. This text proposes several amendments concerning the conditions for accessing Tunisian nationality, particularly through naturalization, as well as the rules applicable to children born in Tunisia to stateless or unknown parents.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The project first aims to strengthen the conditions for obtaining nationality through naturalization. According to the proposal, a foreigner wishing to acquire Tunisian nationality must justify:
- A legal entry into the territory
- A habitual and continuous residence in Tunisia for a period of at least 7 years before submitting their application
The text also proposes to modify certain provisions related to children born in Tunisia. It provides that:
- A child born on Tunisian territory to stateless parents may obtain Tunisian nationality if their parents have resided in the country for at least 10 years
- A found child in Tunisia would be presumed to have been born on Tunisian territory until proven otherwise
Revision of the Nationality Code
The bill also provides for the repeal and revision of several articles of the Nationality Code to adapt them to these new provisions.
Next Steps
Submitted to Parliament, the text must now be examined by the competent committees before being discussed and potentially voted on in a plenary session. If adopted, it will result in a modification of the legal framework governing access to Tunisian nationality.
