Property for sale in Tunisia

Providing a taste of the Mediterranean, a glimpse of Africa and an enchanting insight into Middle Eastern life, Tunisia is an intriguing mix of cultures and landscape, making it an interesting – if previously overlooked – destination for international property investment. Boasting some of the driest and hottest terrain found anywhere on earth, this country is certainly not one for the fainthearted; although the heat of the land is aptly-matched by the warmth of the people and the scorching potential of Tunisia’s real estate market.

While neighbouring Algeria is wisely overlooked as a place for foreign investment (due to internal unrest), one only needs to cast their eyes slightly farther east to Morocco to see the potential in investing in North African stroke Mediterranean nations to see that Tunisia will soon be following suit. Tourism to Tunisia has increased by 45% per year since 2006 according to official government figures, with northern European holidaymakers in particular constantly on the lookout for new destinations to sample, especially those that boast an unspoilt Mediterranean coastline and flying time of less than three hours, which Tunisia does. Also, with the strength of the euro and the pound, coupled with the proliferation of low-cost flights, there has never been a better time to tune in to Tunisia.

Country Capital: Tunis
Population: 10,102,000
Time: GMT +2
Dialing: 216
Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND)

Climate: Even though Tunisia is a relatively small country, its climate is quite diverse, with the north displaying a typically Mediterranean climate (mild and wet winters and hot and dry summers), the mountainous regions invariably snow-capped and the southern areas a semiarid desert, where extremely hot and dry weather is a feature for most of the year.

Getting There: Flying times from much of southern England and mainland northern Europe can be as short as two and a half hours, with the main destinations being Tunis (the Capital), Monastir, Skanes, Port El Kantaoui, Hammamet and Sousse; all of which are popular resorts on the Mediterranean coast. Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham airports have the most frequent flights, although it is possible to fly from some of the UK’s smaller airports (check with each budget airline for dates).

Special Features: Tunisia was the first North African country to begin free trading with the EU; Tunisia’s stark landscape has been the backdrop for a number of big-budget movies, including Star Wars and Indiana Jones; the country attracted over five million tourists in 2007.

Buying Property in Tunisia: With the Tunisian government slowly and gradually relinquishing complete control over all internal affairs, the Tunisian property market is beginning to blossom. The country has a fine tradition of trade between the EU and the western world in general, with property set to become the next key demographic. Anybody worried about the nation’s long-term strength and stability should ingest the following information: Tunisia is both Africa’s most competitive economy and the leading economy from the Arab world (figures revealed by the 2007 Global Competitiveness Report).

Currently, the most popular areas for foreign investment are the coastal resorts of Monastir and Hammamet. These two each boast the most developed infrastructure (thanks to decades of tourism) and the widest choice of property. They are also the most expensive too, with luxury seafront villas retailing from anywhere between €300,000 to €1,000,000. One and two bedroom apartments are typically priced at €100,000 - €250,000, yet can be difficult to come by. Investors seeking the emerging regions should look towards Sousse, where two bedroom properties can be acquired for as little as €40,000. The rental market in Tunisia is still fledgling but, with such strong tourism figures and promising growth, that will surely change in the very near future, so now really is the time to buy in this burgeoning North African market.