TND (Tunisian Dinar)

What Is TND (Tunisian Dinar)?

TND (Tunisian dinar) is the ISO currency code for the official currency of the Republic of Tunisia, a country located on the Mediterranean coast of Northern Africa. The Tunisian dinar is commonly abbreviated as "DT," although the word “dinar” placed after the number is also acceptable.

Understanding TND (Tunisian Dinar)

TND is issued by the central bank of Tunisia. Banknotes are denominated in 5, 10, 20, and 50, while coins are minted in 5, 10, 20, 50, and 500 millimes and 1, 5, and 10 dinars.

The French gained control over Tunisia through an act of conquest that began in 1881. This established the French protectorate of Tunisia, which lasted until the independence of Tunisia on March 20, 1956. The Tunisian dinar (TND) replaced the French franc (F) in 1960.

TND is pegged to a weighted basket of currencies, which includes the U.S. dollar (USD) and Japanese yen (JPY) but is dominated by the euro.

Tunisia sits on the northernmost point of Africa and is a country with fertile agricultural lands. The area was under Roman occupation for many centuries until it fell under Ottoman rule, where it remained until 1881. The country declared bankruptcy in 1869; France invaded and seized control of the country in 1881. During World War II, Nazis occupied Tunisia, and it was the site of several battles.

The country sought independence from France in 1956 and gained full freedom by July 1957. The successions of governments were uneventful until the 2011 Tunisian Revolution. Charging government corruption, and citing evidence of high unemployment and inflation, a civil resistance campaign ousted the ruling party and began the movement that would later become known as the "Arab Spring."

Tunisian Economy

Tunisia has an export-oriented economy, and its petroleum and agricultural exports make up a good portion of its gross domestic product (GDP). According to data from the World Bank, Tunisia is a lower-middle-income economy. It had an annual GDP growth of 2.7% in 2018 and 1.0% in 2019. In 2020, the country's annual GDP growth dropped to -8.6% (largely due to the economic impacts of the global pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19). In 2020, Tunisia's yearly inflation deflator was 4.9%.

What Is the Name of Tunisia's Currency?

Tunisia's currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND).

Does Tunisia Use U.S. Dollars?

No. Tunisia does not use U.S. dollars — it uses the official currency of Tunisia, the Tunisian dinar.

Is the Tunisian Dinar Pegged to Another Currency?

The Tunisian dinar isn't pegged to one currency, but to a weighted basket of currencies. The dollar and yen are included in the basket of currencies, but the euro is the dominant currency.

What Is the Best Currency to Take to Tunisia?

The Tunisian dinar isn’t exported out of the country. As a result, you won’t be able to exchange any to take with you before your travel there. However, you can exchange your money once you arrive in Tunisia.

Importing and exporting dinars is forbidden in Tunisia.

How Much Cash Can You Take to Tunisia?

Foreign currency may be imported into Tunisia in unlimited amounts, but you may be asked to declare the amount in writing on a specified form.

What Does Tunisian Currency Look Like?

There are coins of 5, 10, 20, 50, and 500 millimes and 1, 5, and 10 dinars in circulation. Banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 dinars are also in circulation.