Short answer. Not without authorisation obtained before the trip. The UK Foreign Office says: "It is illegal to bring drones into Tunisia without authorisation. Any drones detected will be confiscated and stored until your departure." France Diplomatie says civil drones need prior authorisation from the competent Tunisian authorities, and that travellers without it face confiscation and possible detention by the police. Read on 26 October 2026.
The rules
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| Bringing a drone in without authorisation is illegal | UK Foreign Office |
| Drones detected are confiscated and stored until your departure | UK Foreign Office |
| Prior authorisation from the competent Tunisian authorities | France Diplomatie |
| Without it: confiscation, and possible detention by the police | France Diplomatie |
| Professional audiovisual equipment can be confiscated | France Diplomatie |
There is no size or weight exemption on either page: a small "selfie" drone is a drone.
Other devices that can be held at customs
The Foreign Office's entry page goes further than drones: "Certain electronic devices with recording, transmission or smart-function capabilities may be subject to restrictions, or be confiscated on arrival for the duration of your visit." It names Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and walkie-talkies, including toy ones, and asks you to check with the Tunisian authorities before you travel. Phones, tablets and ordinary cameras are what most visitors carry.
Photos
- Do not take photographs of or near government buildings or military sites (UK Foreign Office).
- Respect signs that forbid photography or filming, for example near military sites and public buildings (France Diplomatie).
Can you get authorisation?
France Diplomatie speaks of an authorisation delivered beforehand by the competent Tunisian authorities; neither government links to an online form for tourists. For a professional project, start with the Tunisian embassy in your country, months ahead, and travel only with the authorisation in writing.
Views from above, without a drone
The terraces of Sidi Bou Said look over the Gulf of Tunis; the upper rows of the El Jem amphitheatre give a view over the arena; in the south, the hill villages around Tataouine are seen from the road above them. A 0.5x lens on your phone does the rest. See 3 days in Tunis.
What else customs looks at
- Anything prohibited or taxed must be declared: the Foreign Office says there are strict rules about goods you take into or out of Tunisia.
- Foreign currency: Tunisia has strict currency controls; check whether you must declare yours on arrival, as undeclared currency can be confiscated. Tunisian dinars cannot be taken out of the country.
- Antiquities: you need permission from the Tunisian authorities before taking any out of Tunisia; not declaring one can mean a fine and a prison sentence.
- Professional camera and film equipment: France Diplomatie says it can be confiscated.
If your drone is held at the airport
Under the Foreign Office's description, a drone found without authorisation is confiscated and stored until you leave. If it happens, keep any document you are given, note where the drone is held, and allow extra time at the airport on the day you fly home to collect it. France Diplomatie warns that the owner can also be held by the police, so do not try to argue the drone through: the simplest choice is to leave it at home unless you already hold written authorisation from the Tunisian authorities.
Your phone
For the trip itself, our Tunisia eSIM runs on Orange Tunisie, from €6.50 for one day to €21.90 for 7 days and €29 for 10 days, with 1 GB a day at full 4G speed and then 512 kbps until the next day. It starts at your first connection in Tunisia, so you can install it at home on Wi-Fi; when you land, turn data roaming on for the eSIM line. Check that your phone is eSIM compatible first.