Tunisia's First Home Programme 2026: Eligibility, Banks & Repayment Simulation

Buying your first property in Tunisia is achievable — if you know the rules. The Premier Logement (First Home) Programme, managed by the Agence Foncière d'Habitation (AFH) in partnership with several banks, offers preferential financing to first-time buyers. Here is everything you need to know before submitting your application in 2026.

What Is the Premier Logement Programme?

The Premier Logement Programme is a Tunisian government scheme that enables low- and middle-income households to purchase their primary residence under advantageous borrowing conditions. It is designed for people who have never owned property in Tunisia.

Three pillars define the programme:

1. A government-set maximum purchase price.
2. Subsidised interest rates negotiated with partner banks.
3. A reduced down payment compared to standard mortgage products.

Source: AFH (Agence Foncière d'Habitation), circulars 2024–2025.

Eligibility Requirements in 2026

Personal criteria

• Tunisian nationality (residents and TRE — Tunisians living abroad — are eligible subject to conditions).
• First-time buyer: you must never have owned residential property in Tunisia (verified through the Land Registry / Conservation Foncière).
• Stable income: salaried employees or self-employed professionals with documented earnings.
• Household monthly net income: generally between 400 TND and 2,500 TND depending on the programme bracket (thresholds are revised periodically — confirm the current 2026 grid with AFH or your bank).

Property criteria

• Maximum purchase price: 220,000 TND for a new or existing property (the ceiling was raised from previous years to reflect property inflation).
• The property must be located in Tunisia and used as the buyer's primary residence.
• No geographical exclusion: all governorates are covered (Tunis, Sfax, Sousse, secondary cities, etc.).
• A registered title deed (titre foncier) or authentic notarial deed is required; banks will systematically verify the legal status of the property.

Financing criteria

• Down payment: typically 10% of the purchase price (vs. 20–30% for a standard mortgage).
• Repayment term: up to 25 years depending on the bank.
• The property may not be rented out during the first 5 years (personal-use clause — verify terms with your bank at signing).

Partner Banks in 2026

BH Bank remains the reference lender for residential mortgages in Tunisia, with detailed online simulators and dedicated First Home advisors.

Interest Rates in 2026

The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) maintained its key policy rate at 8% in Q1 2026 (source: BCT monetary policy communiqués). Banks typically add a 1–3 point spread on standard mortgages.

Under the Premier Logement Programme, a rate subsidy may apply, bringing the all-in effective rate to a range of 7.5%–9.5% depending on the bank and borrower profile.

Remember: the advertised rate is not the total cost of credit. Add borrower insurance (0.3–0.5% of capital per year), processing fees, and mortgage guarantee costs.

Repayment Simulation

Indicative figures based on an 8.5% annual rate over 20 years:

The 33% rule: banks will not grant a loan whose monthly payment exceeds 33% of the household's net monthly income. A 1,170 TND monthly payment requires at least 3,545 TND in net monthly household income.

Key Documents Required

• National ID card (CIN) or passport
• Recent proof of address (under 3 months)
• Last 3 payslips (employees) or last 2 tax assessments (self-employed)
• Non-ownership certificate from the Land Registry (Conservation Foncière)
• Preliminary sale agreement (compromis de vente)
• Title deed or ongoing registration documentation
• Renovation quotes if works are planned

Tax Benefits

• Reduced registration duty for first-time buyers under the programme (preferential rate vs. the standard 3% — confirm the current AFH circular).
• Mortgage interest deduction from taxable income (IRPP), capped at 30,000 TND over the loan term (source: Tunisian Tax Code, Article 39).
• Notary and registration fees remain standard (approximately 5–6% of the purchase price — see our full guide on Tunisian property transaction costs).

Watch-outs

• Processing time: allow 4–8 weeks for a First Home file to be processed.
• Non-registered properties: banks are reluctant to finance properties without a formal titre foncier. Expect delays and possible refusals on unregistered assets.
• 5-year personal-use clause: renting the property before 5 years may trigger loss of the rate subsidy and preferential tax treatment.
• Tunis price gap: the 220,000 TND cap excludes most of Greater Tunis at current market rates. The programme works better for secondary cities or Tunis suburbs.

Last updated: May 2026. Programme terms may change during the year — always verify with AFH and your bank.

Sources: AFH (agencefonciere.com.tn), BCT (bct.gov.tn), BH Bank (bhbank.com.tn), Tunisian Tax Code (JORT).