PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Tunisia

Tunisia has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since July 07, 1884, and acceded to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on December 10, 2001. It is also a member of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. Additionally, Tunisia participates in ARABPAT, the regional intellectual property information platform.

The deadline for entering the national phase in Tunisia is 30 months from the priority date of the international application.

In Tunisia, application can be filed in English, French or Arabic translation. This translation must be provided within one month from the date of filing the national phase entry.

In Tunisia, extensions for the late filing of patent applications are generally not permitted.

• Power of Attorney: A Power of Attorney signed by the applicant must be submitted at the Patent Office with no requirement for notarization or legalization.
• Deed of Assignment: If the applicant is not the inventor, a deed of assignment must be submitted at the patent office to confirm the right to file the patent application.
• Certificate of Incorporation: A certificate of incorporation or an extract from the Commercial Register duly certified must be submitted at the patent office if the applicant is a legal entity.

There is no cost exemption available for patent application in Tunisha.

In Tunisia, a separate request for substantive examination is not required when entering the national phase of a PCT application as the application is examined as to formality only.

In Tunisia, renewal fees for patent applications and granted patents must be paid annually, with the due date falling on the last day of the month corresponding to the anniversary of the filing date. A late fine, which may be calculated at a rate of 8% of the due renewal, is payable when the renewal is paid within the 6-month grace period, per renewal and per month.

In Tunisia, the term of a patent is 20 years from the filing date of the patent application.

In the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII), Tunisia is ranked 81st out of 133 economies. Within the Northern Africa and Western Asia region, Tunisia holds the 14th position out of 18 economies. Tunisia excels in several GII areas, including Human Capital and Research (47th), Knowledge and Technology Outputs (54th), and Creative Outputs (73rd). Key strengths include government support for education, a high number of graduates in science and engineering, and a notable output of scientific and technical articles relative to GDP. Tunisia has also improved in converting innovation investments into tangible results. The country's innovation performance surpasses expectations for its level of development, indicating that it is generating more innovation relative to its economic size.

Tunisia is predominantly Arab and Muslim, with Arabic as the official language, although French is widely spoken due to its colonial history. The country has a diverse geography, featuring Mediterranean coastline, fertile plains in the north, and parts of the Sahara Desert in the south. Tunisia gained international attention in 2011 when a popular uprising led to the ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, marking the beginning of the Arab Spring. Since then, it has undergone a challenging but notable transition toward democracy, although political instability and economic issues continue. The economy relies on agriculture, mining, tourism, and manufacturing, with olive oil and textiles among its key exports. Tunisia has a rich cultural heritage blending Arab, Berber, and Mediterranean influences, and is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the ancient ruins of Carthage and the amphitheatre of El Djem.