Members of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People (ARP) in Tunisia have voted to refer draft law No. 2025/058 on the settlement of foreign exchange violations back to the Finance Committee for further scrutiny.
The decision was approved by a majority of 54 MPs, with two abstentions and three votes against. The referral followed a request by the bill’s sponsor, the Independent National Bloc, which cited the large number of proposed amendments and the need for closer review before resubmission.
The legislation seeks to establish a dual framework: a temporary mechanism to settle past foreign exchange violations and a permanent system allowing residents to open foreign currency or convertible dinar accounts. It targets resident individuals only, excluding companies, and covers offences such as undeclared foreign assets, failure to repatriate earnings, and unlawful possession of foreign currency—while explicitly excluding terrorism-related and money-laundering funds.
Finance Committee Chair Maher Ktari expressed surprise at the shift in parliamentary positions, noting that the proposal had initially enjoyed broad support earlier in the day before being postponed for further consideration.
If adopted, the bill would allow beneficiaries to regularize assets through sworn declarations, repatriation of funds, and payment of a settlement contribution, granting immunity from prosecution and financial penalties. It also introduces provisions enabling investment use of regularized funds and, under a committee amendment, allows up to 50% of transfers abroad without prior authorization, subject to oversight by the Tunisian Financial Analysis Commission.
The Ministry of Finance had previously raised concerns in July 2025, warning that allowing foreign currency accounts could affect currency stability and urging caution in implementing the reform.