Tunisia's public administrations switch to summer hours from Wednesday as séance unique returns
The Presidency of the Government announced on Monday that public administrations, local authorities and public administrative bodies across Tunisia will operate on reduced single-session hours from 1 July to 31 August 2026, giving residents and service users two months of shorter working days to pla
Tunisia's public administrations will move to reduced single-session summer hours from Wednesday 1 July, the Presidency of the Government announced on Monday 29 June, giving workers and service users across the country a new timetable for the next two months.
The new hours cover all state administrations, local authorities and public administrative bodies. The measure applies from 1 July 2026 until 31 August 2026.
Under the summer schedule, offices will open Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 14:30, and on Friday from 08:00 to 13:30. Saturday and Sunday remain rest days.
The arrangement eliminates the mid-day break that structures the standard working day for the rest of the year, compressing all working hours into a single uninterrupted morning session — the model known in Tunisia as the séance unique.
The new hours will remain in force until 31 August 2026, after which administrations will return to their regular timetable.
Who is covered
The schedule covers state administrations, local authorities and public administrative bodies. Private-sector employers are not bound by the circular, though many businesses in Tunisia informally align with the public-sector rhythm during July and August.
During the summer months of July and August, administrations and companies are typically closed in the afternoon , making morning the practical window for in-person transactions such as document renewals, certificate requests and counter services.
An annual fixture
As each year, the measure aims to adapt working hours to the summer period. The séance unique was formalised by Decree No. 1710 of 14 September 2012, and the Presidency of the Government has issued an identical circular at the end of June every year since.
For expats, diaspora visitors and tourists planning appointments at government offices — from the Civil Status office to municipal services — the change means counter hours shrink by roughly two to three hours compared with the standard schedule. Morning visits, ideally before 13:00, give the most comfortable margin before closing time.