Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
The Tunisian real estate market is at a turning point. Prices are rising, demand remains strong, foreign investors are returning, and large-scale projects are multiplying. In this evolving landscape, the role of local real estate agencies becomes central, whether you are a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or investor.
The Tunisian real estate market comprises several types of players: long-established, structured networks, hyper-specialized neighborhood agencies, Tunisian-French groups that are also developers, and international brands. At the same time, there is a nebula of undeclared brokers that the authorities are seeking to regulate.
This article provides a detailed overview of the most structured and most cited agencies, the legal and professional framework in which they operate, the commission models practiced, and the pitfalls to avoid in order to choose a truly reliable intermediary.
A Dynamic Real Estate Market… Which Reinforces the Role of Agencies
The Tunisian real estate market is described by many sources as “lively, competitive, and dynamic”. Over the last decade, apartment prices have more than doubled in nominal value, with a cumulative increase of around 110% between 2011 and 2021. Even adjusted for inflation, the rise remains significant.
Recent data confirms this trend: in 2024, the national average price for an apartment hovers around 3,345 TND/m² with an annual increase of approximately 6.4%. In major cities, the price ranges are higher, particularly in Greater Tunis, the Sahel (Sousse, Monastir), or tourist areas (Hammamet, Djerba, Nabeul). At the same time, rental demand remains strong in urban areas, with gross yields exceeding 7% in Tunis and ranging between 3.5% and 6% depending on the governorate.
This is the percentage of the population that is urban, a key factor in the real estate market.
A Changing Professional Environment: GPAI, CONECT, and the Regulation of the Profession
The profession is organized around a key association: GPAI, the Professional Association of Real Estate Agencies. Initially created by seven founding agencies, it now brings together nearly a hundred members and aims, in the medium term, for between 500 and 700 members with a presence in about ten regions (Kairouan, Monastir, and other cities are targeted).
The GPAI, now attached to CONECT (Confédération des Entreprises Citoyennes de Tunisie), has several missions:
To modernize the profession, it is essential to put an end to the presence of undeclared intermediaries and to undertake an in-depth reform of the regulatory framework, which has remained largely unchanged since the 1980s. It is also recommended to promote the creation of a Real Estate Agents Association, with a code of ethics and sanctioning powers, as well as to introduce a form of professional oath for agents. Finally, organizing training and events, including innovative approaches like Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) applied to real estate – a first in Tunisia and Africa – will help elevate the skills and standards of the sector.
The stakes are not purely professional: the authorities now link the development of networks of declared agencies to issues of financial transparency and national security. The Ministry of Commerce thus closed over fifty informal “agencies” in one summer, precisely to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, or forms of espionage using opaque real estate circuits.
In this landscape, the best local agencies stand out for their ability to clearly position themselves within the legal framework, to align with GPAI or recognized structures, and to champion ethical and traceable practices.
How Do Real Estate Agencies Work in Tunisia?
Before looking at the key players, it is useful to understand what the work of a local Tunisian agency concretely covers.
Agencies operate in sales, rentals (long-term, seasonal, furnished or unfurnished), property management, market value appraisal, and increasingly investment advice for both Tunisian and foreign clients.
Their missions go far beyond simple matchmaking:
A professional journey from listing to after-sales to sell or rent your property with peace of mind.
In-depth analysis of the local market to establish the most accurate valuation of your property.
Listing on relevant channels: specialized websites, social networks, client databases, and signage.
Organization of viewings and property enhancement to spark buyer or tenant interest.
Rigorous qualification and selection of serious buyers or tenants.
Expert negotiation of the price and all transaction conditions.
Coordination and preparation of legal documents (promise to sell, sales agreement).
Follow-up until the signing of the final deed at the notary’s office and property transfer.
Advice and support after the transaction: management, resale, or tax optimization.
For the foreign buyer, these tasks are crucial: Tunisian legislation imposes specific authorizations for non-residents, notably the governor’s approval for a residential purchase and authorization from the Central Bank for incoming financial flows. An established agency, accustomed to working with this type of clientele, thus becomes a true administrative conductor.
Commission Models and Fees Practiced
Commissions are regulated by Tunisian law, notably by texts like Article n°55 (June 23, 1981) and Law n°77 (August 8, 2005), although in practice, variations exist depending on the agency, region, and type of transaction.
For sales, the following structures are the most common:
| Type of Transaction | Seller Commission (excl. tax) | Buyer Commission (excl. tax) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Sale | 3% of sale price | 2% of sale price | Common scale in structured agencies |
| Progressive Scale | 5% up to 300,000€ 4% up to 500,000€ 3% above | Included or shared | Used for properties in Euros (foreign clientele) |
| Wide Range | 2% to 20% (min. 750€) | – | Observed with some agencies, especially for commercial/business assets |
For long-term rentals, a common scheme is the equivalent of one month’s rent, paid either by the owner, the tenant, or shared. Some detailed scales include:
| Type of Lease | Owner Commission | Tenant Commission | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lease ≤ 12 months | 50% of one month’s rent | 50% of one month’s rent | Short-term contracts |
| Lease 12–24 months or rent paid one year in advance | 75% of one month’s rent | 75% of one month’s rent | Longer commitment |
| Lease ≥ 24 months | 100% of one month’s rent | 100% of one month’s rent | Long-term commitment |
For seasonal and tourist rentals, some agencies apply around 15% commission, while others mention 10% for the owner and 10% for the tenant on short stays (less than six months).
Maximum percentage typically charged by agencies for full-service property management.
Additional à la carte services include:
| Specialized Service | Indicative Range |
|---|---|
| Market Value Appraisal (apartment/house) | 100 to 500 TND depending on complexity |
| Appraisal (reference in Euros) | 90 to 500€ depending on property type |
| Simple Document Verification | Starting at 100€ |
| Verification + Drafting of Promise to Sell | Starting at 300€ |
| Drafting of a Complex Sales or Lease Contract | Starting at 350€ |
The best local agencies don’t just display numbers: they explain precisely what these fees correspond to (advertising, viewings, negotiation, legal support) and specify what remains the client’s responsibility (notary fees, taxes, registration fees).
The Main Profiles of Local Agencies in Tunisia
Among the multitude of players identified in the available data, several types of agencies emerge. Rather than providing a simple directory, it is more useful to understand their positioning.
Local “Full Service” Agencies Anchored in a Neighborhood or City
Many cited agencies operate within precise geographical perimeters while offering a relatively complete range of services. Examples include:
– Yosra estate agency / Yosra Real Estate, based notably in Berges du Lac and Jardins de Carthage in Tunis, presents itself as a dynamic structure betting on proximity, transparency, and seriousness. Founded in 2007, it offers both sales and rentals (with properties listed from 300,000 DT to over a million dinars, or rents up to 9,000 DT/month), positioning it in a rather mid/high-end segment.
– Agence Zahra immobilière, Arcane immobilière, House Express, Transac Immo, Marsa Real Estate, Logy-immo, Agence Immobilière Touhami, Dar Immo, Assalem Immobiliere, Societe immobiliere Amelle, Green’s Partners Services, La Vitrine Immo, or Metline immobilière constitute a network of very local agencies, often recommended individually (one to three positive reviews for some). They are located in targeted neighborhoods or cities: La Marsa, Jardins de Carthage, Berges du Lac, El Menzah, Ennasr, Hammem Chatt, Metline-Bizerte, etc.
These structures share several highlighted characteristics in testimonials or profiles: a focus on proximity, in-depth knowledge of the neighborhood, the ability to assist in both search and sale, sometimes a multi‑lingual team.
The best agencies are distinguished by a clear physical presence (office address, landline phone, identified team), transparency about their fees, and concrete client feedback based on completed transactions, not general reviews.
Dhouibi Immobilier: A Local Agency Elevated to “Reference” Status
Among the names cited, Dhouibi Immobilier is explicitly presented as “the best real estate agency in Tunisia” in a comparative context. Beyond the label, several concrete elements emerge from its presentation:
– end-to-end support, from budget definition to deed signing,
– a particularly in-depth analysis of the local market, notably in Kairouan,
– systematic legal due diligence on land status and titles,
– connections with experts (inspectors, technicians, artisans) to verify the property’s condition,
– assistance with negotiation based on market data rather than simple intuition,
– work on financing, with a presentation of available banking options, notably for Tunisians Living Abroad.
This combination of services illustrates what is found among the best agencies in the country: a strong territorial specialization, comprehensive handling, and a stated desire to secure each step, whereas undeclared intermediaries sometimes settle for simply introducing the parties for a commission.
Tunisian-French Groups and Integrated Developers
The landscape is not limited to brokerage agencies. Several mentioned players, like Groupe Alliance Immobilier or Leighton Immo, straddle the line between agency, developer, and promoter of high-end projects.
Founded in 1990 by Samir Jaieb and based in Sousse, Groupe Alliance Immobilier has built over 1,500 homes in France and more than 800 in Tunisia. Its first Tunisian project was the Le Monaco residence-hotel in Sousse in 2005. With around forty employees, the group develops residential, hotel, golf, and luxury villa projects. It illustrates the trend of integrated developers offering “turnkey” products sold through their own sales teams.
– Leighton Immo clearly positions itself in the luxury segment. Based at “The Pearl of Lake 1” in Tunis, it highlights over two decades of expertise, rigorous quality control, and a promise of “royal service” for its clients, with offers of high-end apartments, duplexes, and prestigious offices in the most sought-after neighborhoods. The message is aimed at an affluent clientele, local or international, seeking high-end finishes and highly personalized services.
These players do not function exactly like simple brokerage agencies: they initiate or structure the real estate projects themselves, but they illustrate the transformation of the Tunisian market towards more structured and premium products. For a buyer, going through them often means direct contact with the developer and clearer visibility on guarantees, delivery timelines, and possibilities for staged financing.
International Networks Present in Tunisia: RE/MAX, Century 21, and Others
The Tunisian market also attracts international real estate brands, notably RE/MAX, described as the world’s leading real estate franchise network. RE/MAX offers in Tunisia:
The RE/MAX network in Tunisia is structured into specialized segments, with a RE/MAX COMMERCIAL segment for corporate properties (offices, commercial spaces, hotels) and a RE/MAX COLLECTION range dedicated to prestige properties. Our target clearly includes investors, including foreign ones.
Seif Abassi, RE/MAX Smile Advisor
The presence of these international brands does not automatically guarantee better service, but it brings two advantages: often refined training and marketing standards, and global visibility useful for luxury properties or programs aimed at a foreign clientele.
There are also references to major global brands like Century 21, Engel & Völkers, or Sotheby’s International in the broader comparative context, although RE/MAX is the most clearly documented presence in the available Tunisian data.
Agencies Highly Specialized in Foreign Clients and Expatriation
Another type of player consists of agencies explicitly geared towards expatriates and non-resident investors. In literature and guides, references are found to structures like Dar Tunisia, Tunisia Real Estate, Golden Keys, or Home in Tunisia, known for offering:
– bilingual communication (Arabic/French, sometimes English, Italian, or German),
– assistance with governor and Central Bank authorization procedures,
– guidance on taxation (registration taxes, VAT on new builds, taxation of rental income),
– property management services for non-resident owners (tenant follow-up, property maintenance).
Individual profiles like Ouissem HAMILA (“Home in Tunisia”) or Hedia Salanitri (G-Diffusion) highlight this personalized and transparent approach, with messaging clearly aimed at foreign or dual-nationality buyers.
For an expatriate, this type of agency is particularly valuable, provided they carefully verify the license, registration with local authorities, and client references, as the niche of foreign buyers also attracts its share of opportunistic intermediaries.
Where Are the Best Local Agencies Concentrated?
The analysis of addresses, phone numbers, and areas of activity shows a strong concentration of the most active agencies in a few key hubs.
Greater Tunis and the Northern Coast: The Center of Gravity of the High-End Market
Greater Tunis, and particularly the northern neighborhoods, concentrates a large part of the structured agencies and high-end projects.
The following areas stand out clearly:
– Les Berges du Lac (Lac 1 and Lac 2): modern business and residential district, expensive and in high demand. This is where many agencies like Yosra estate agency (Berges du Lac, Jardins de Carthage), Arcane immobilière, Agence Immobilière Touhami, or Logy‑immo are located. Prices there generally range between 3,000 and over 5,000 TND/m², sometimes much more for certain very high-end developments.
Price per square meter can reach 12,000 TND for the most luxurious real estate properties in Tunisia’s sought-after coastal areas.
– Les Jardins de Carthage, Ain Zaghouan, La Soukra, El Menzah, Ennasr: these neighborhoods on the northern or eastern periphery of Tunis offer a compromise between accessibility and standing. They host several neighborhood agencies benefiting from strong demand for family apartments S+2, S+3 between 90 and 180 m².
In these areas, the best agencies stand out for their mastery of condominium files, mandatory diagnostics (electricity, gas, sometimes energy performance), and constraints related to the proliferation of new developments.
The Sahel, Hammamet, and Djerba: Queens of Seasonal Rentals and Second Homes
The cities of Sousse, Monastir, Hammamet, Nabeul, and the island of Djerba form another major hub, strongly influenced by tourism. Agencies there work on both sales and seasonal rentals, sometimes with very attractive offerings.
Examples of properties referenced in listings:
| Area | Example Property | Indicative Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monastir (near Falaise beach) | Luxury Villa S+4 for sale | 1,200,000 TND |
| Hammamet Craxi | High-end Villa S+4 for sale | 1,150,000 TND |
| Yasmine Hammamet | Luxury Villa for sale | 1,250,000 TND |
| Hammamet Crakxi | S+4 Vacation Villa with pool (Villa Joëlle) | 10,500 TND per period |
| Hammamet | S+5 Villa (Villa Arve) | 12,800 TND per period |
Agencies like OLEA REAL ESTATE HAMMAMET (established since 2000) have specialized in prestigious properties in the Gulf of Hammamet, while structures like VIP Business Immobiliers Affaires sometimes combine transaction, investment advice, and networking for larger operations (hotels, tourist complexes).
For these regions, the best agencies are those that know how to:
– articulate the local market and the international market,
– manage the specificities of seasonal rentals (contracts, taxation, tourist seasons),
– accompany more complex projects, like the purchase of a small hotel, tourist land, or a villa for mixed use residence/rental.
Regional Capitals and Inland Cities: A Market in Structuration
Cities like Sfax, Kairouan, Tozeur, or Gabès appear more in the data through price statistics (between 1,000 and 1,500 TND/m² for houses in Sfax, for example) than via highly publicized agencies. However, structures like Dhouibi Immobilier in Kairouan prove that reference agencies are also emerging in the country’s interior.
One of the stated objectives of the GPAI is precisely to extend its presence in these regions to structure the profession, attract informal brokers into the legal framework, and create branches capable of defending professionals’ interests with the authorities.
How to Recognize a “Good” Real Estate Agency in Tunisia?
The compiled data does not just list names: it provides numerous criteria for assessing the reliability of an agency, valid in Tunisia as elsewhere.
Several dimensions emerge.
1. Legality and Registration with Authorities
A serious agency is licensed and declared to the Ministry of Commerce and local authorities. This implies:
– proper registration,
– an identified manager,
– a professional premises,
– financial traceability compatible with Central Bank requirements.
Best practices recommend checking:
– that the agency’s name appears exactly as such on official documents and, ideally, in professional lists (like those of the GPAI),
– that the contract mentions the exact legal entity name and registration number,
– that payments are made to a professional account in the name of the agency or firm (and not to a personal account or via opaque channels).
The most frequent warning signs include an interlocutor claiming not to need a license, presenting themselves as a “simple intermediary” without structure, or proposing to operate exclusively via personal accounts or encrypted messaging with no identifiable office.
2. Address, Physical Presence, and Contact Channels
The presence of a clear physical office, with a precise address, professional landline or mobile phone number, and a reception (secretariat, reception area) is a basic criterion.
The agencies listed in the data typically include: essential information on their services, important contacts, and references from previous projects.
– a complete address (street, building, neighborhood),
– one or several Tunisian phone numbers (+216…),
– sometimes a professional email (like [email protected] or .com).
An interlocutor who only provides a personal WhatsApp or Telegram account, with no office or identifiable line, remains in a gray area. Good agencies, on the contrary, embrace their public visibility: signage, website, Google Maps listing, displayed hours.
3. Reputation, Recommendations, and Reviews
The data reveals numerous individual recommendations: for House Express, Chokobon, Agence Immobilière Touhami, Khedira Immobilier, La Vitrine Immo, etc. In these cases, people cite concrete experiences (support, responsiveness, seriousness).
A solid reputation is built on: honesty, transparency, quality of products or services, respect for commitments, responsiveness to criticism, and capacity for innovation.
– varied reviews (and not just copy-pasted 5/5 ratings without details),
– specific testimonials (type of property, neighborhood, nature of the transaction),
– a presence on specialized portals or professional networks (Coresignal, real estate platforms, expatriate networks).
The best agencies do not seek to erase all criticism; they respond to it, explain the constraints of the case, and show their ability to solve problems.
4. Specialization and Fit for Your Project
There is no single “best” agency valid for all needs. The data shows a strong specialization:
– some agencies are experienced in the sale of luxury villas on the coast,
– others in long-term rentals in urban neighborhoods,
– others in hotel operations or land for development,
– a few focus on assisting non-resident foreigners.
Prioritize a real estate agency that has already handled files similar to yours. This specific experience should cover the same type of property, the same price range, the same geographical area, and the same client profile (local buyer, non-resident for tax purposes, non-resident foreigner, or rental investor).
5. Transparency on Fees and Strategy
Good agencies clearly state their fee scales or, at a minimum, the range of commissions practiced, as well as what is included in these fees.
They are also able to detail:
– how they value the property (recent references, market comparison),
– what marketing plan they intend to deploy (professional photos, virtual tours, portals, social networks, internal database),
– how they manage negotiation (realistic ballpark figure, room for maneuver, strategic positioning).
The agency’s ability to simply explain additional costs (notary, registration, VAT, local taxes, lawyer fees, bank commissions) is another indicator of seriousness. Dhouibi Immobilier, for example, explicitly emphasizes this aspect of anticipating hidden costs.
The Special Case of Foreign Buyers: Why the Best Agencies Make the Difference
Buying in Tunisia as a foreigner remains possible but regulated: agricultural land is in principle prohibited, residential purchases require authorization from the governor, financial flows must go through the Central Bank, and administrative delays can reach 12 months depending on the governorate.
In this context, using an experienced agency with an international clientele is not a luxury, but a security measure.
These agencies typically provide :
To invest in real estate in Thailand, it is essential to master the legal restrictions (sensitive zones, accessible property types) and know how to assemble complete files for authorization requests. Working with specialized notaries and lawyers is recommended. A good knowledge of double taxation treaties, taxation on rental income and capital gains, as well as exchange rate issues is necessary. Obtaining an investment certificate is essential to repatriate funds in case of resale.
Profiles of foreign clients identified in the data include European retirees (France, Italy, Germany), investors from the Gulf (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE), neighboring Maghreb countries (Algeria, Libya), as well as a beginning presence of digital nomads and North American expatriates.
The best local agencies accustomed to this clientele (Yosra in certain ranges, Home in Tunisia, some RE/MAX or Dhouibi Immobilier teams) strive to reduce information asymmetry: they explain the market, its past increases (and their limits in real terms), its rental yields (on average around 5.4% gross nationally), and its risks (volatility, administrative slowness, lack of transparency in some segments).
Why Structured Agencies Have Become Essential in a Tense Market
Macroeconomic data reminds us that Tunisia is going through a period of contrasts: high inflation in recent years (up to 9.3% in 2023), moderate growth, significant public debt, but alongside this, tourist vigor (over 11 million visitors in the last measured year, rising revenues) and continuous progression of real estate prices.
We are witnessing at the same time:
– a shortage of social housing despite efforts by FOPROLOS and other funds,
– an increase in the cost of materials (cement, steel, bricks),
– difficult access to credit for a large part of the population (70% of housing projects remain self-financed).
In this context, every transaction is strategic. A poorly prepared purchase or a poorly negotiated sale can have a significant cost. It is precisely in these situations that the best local agencies demonstrate their added value.
– they have monitoring and analysis tools (platforms like Properstar, INS data, international reports),
– they engage in continuous training (thanks notably to actions by the GPAI or networks like RE/MAX),
– they are gradually adopting technologies (lead management, virtual tours, CRM, listing portals).
Their added value goes beyond simple matchmaking: they help calibrate projects (size, budget, reasonable debt), identify areas with high appreciation potential (certain neighborhoods in Tunis, Sousse, Monastir, Djerba, Hammamet), or arbitrate between rental yield and future capital gain.
Towards a More Regulated and Professional Future for Tunisian Agencies
The signals sent by the authorities and the profession itself converge: Tunisia is moving towards a stricter and more professional regulation of real estate agencies.
The GPAI advocates for a Professional Association, an oath, a code of ethics, possible sanctions. The Ministry of Commerce has begun closing illegal structures. Employers’ organizations like UTICA, historically, and CONECT now, provide a framework for agencies to integrate into the formal economic fabric.
For individuals and investors, this evolution is positive:
Regulating intermediaries offers three main benefits: it gradually reduces the risk of encountering a fake intermediary, improves the traceability of flows (particularly useful for major operations), and strengthens the average quality of advice through continuous training and increased accountability of players.
In this renewing landscape, the best local real estate agencies in Tunisia will be those that succeed in combining several dimensions:
– a solid presence on the ground, in a neighborhood or city,
– a clear commitment to the legal framework and professional associations,
– a complete service offering, from valuation to management, integrating the specific needs of Tunisians from the interior, Tunisians Living Abroad, and foreigners,
– total transparency on commissions and procedures,
– a capacity for technological adaptation to remain visible and efficient in an increasingly digital market.
To secure a real estate project in Tunisia (purchase, sale, or investment), the careful choice of one’s agency is now an indispensable condition, regardless of the type of property or its location.
By relying on well-established local agencies – whether actors like Dhouibi Immobilier, Yosra Real Estate, OLEA REAL ESTATE, groups like Groupe Alliance Immobilier or Leighton Immo, or networks like RE/MAX – everyone can now navigate the Tunisian market with more clarity, security, and perspective.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
