Living in Djerba all year round: neighbourhoods, schools, healthcare, daily life

Short answer: Yes, you can live in Djerba all year round, provided you prepare your move. Choose your area to suit your lifestyle (Houmt Souk for government offices and the hospital, Midoun for a lively small town, Tezdaine or Aghir for quiet residential living), check schools and healthcare on the spot, plan on having a car, and rent long term before you buy.

In brief

• Houmt Souk has the government offices, shops and the regional hospital; Midoun is a lively town in the east of the island; Tezdaine and Aghir are more residential.
• Healthcare: the Sadok Mokaddem regional hospital in Houmt Souk (A&E), private clinics in Houmt Souk, doctors and pharmacies in Midoun; international health insurance is still advisable.
• Schools: there are private schools, some of which teach in French; always check accreditation.
• A car is all but essential for daily life.
• Beyond a tourist stay (generally up to 3 months depending on nationality), you need a residence card; owning property does not automatically entitle you to one.
• Rent long term for several months before buying.

By the MY VILLA RISE Team, estate agency in Midoun (Djerba) — updated on 6 November 2026.

Settling in Djerba is about more than finding a beautiful house. You need to think about the children's school, the doctor, utility contracts, daily journeys and your paperwork. This guide brings together what we explain to the families, remote workers and retirees who contact us about moving here, separating what is established from what you should check for yourself.

Which area should you choose to live in Djerba all year round?

There is no "best area": it all depends on your pace of life, your children, whether you want activity or peace, and how much time you are willing to spend driving. Here are the main profiles:

• Houmt Souk: the island's main town, in the north. Government offices, banks, shops, market and the regional hospital. Convenient if you want everything close at hand; more traffic and bustle, especially in summer.
• Midoun: the main town in the east of the island, lively all year, with its market, shops, doctors' surgeries and pharmacies. Close to the tourist zone, it offers a good balance between services and quality of life. Our agency is based here.
• Tezdaine and Aghir: more residential areas of villas and houses, near the tourist zone on the east coast. Quiet and popular with families and retirees; you depend more on the car.
• Mezraya, Arkou and the villages: a more traditional feel, menzels and houchs, Djerbian neighbours. A good option if you are looking for authenticity and accept driving for services.
• Mellita: near Djerba-Zarzis international airport; worth considering if you travel often.

For a detailed description of each area, see our guide to Djerba's neighbourhoods. Our advice: spend time in the area at different moments (weekdays, weekends, summer, winter) before deciding, as the atmosphere changes a great deal with the seasons.

Which schools are there for children in Djerba?

For families, this is often the deciding question. In Djerba there are Tunisian state schools and private schools, some of which teach in French. A French lycée, Victor Hugo, was inaugurated in Djerba in November 2022 during the Francophonie Summit, together with the Alliance française de Djerba.

A key point: its status (accreditation by the French Ministry of Education) has not been confirmed to our knowledge. Before enrolling your children, check its accreditation on the AEFE or French Ministry of Education website, and ask each school these questions:

• Which curricula and qualifications do you prepare for, and are they recognised in our country?
• What are the languages of instruction, and from which year?
• Which year groups are open, and how many pupils are there per class?
• Is there school transport, a canteen, after-school activities?
• How does a mid-year arrival work?

Distance learning is another option to consider depending on your situation. And choose your home after the school, not the other way round: daily journeys matter a lot for quality of life.

How do you access healthcare in Djerba?

The island's main public hospital is the Sadok Mokaddem regional hospital in Houmt Souk, which runs the emergency department. Several private clinics and polyclinics are based in Houmt Souk, and there are doctors' surgeries and pharmacies in Midoun. To get organised:

• As soon as you arrive, find a GP, a nearby pharmacy and the route to A&E.
• Check available specialities and opening hours directly with each facility: they change.
• Take out international health insurance that includes repatriation: some specialist care may require travel to the mainland or to your home country.
• If you are on treatment, bring your prescriptions and check that your medicines are available.
• Keep a copy of your medical records, on paper and digitally.

Electricity, water, internet: how do you organise daily life?

Basic services are provided by national bodies:

• Electricity and gas: STEG (Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company).
• Water: SONEDE; sewerage: ONAS, depending on the area's connection.
• Fixed internet and 4G: several operators, including Tunisie Telecom, Ooredoo and Orange Tunisie.

When renting, ask the landlord whose name the meters are in, how bills are paid and how good the internet connection is in the house, which is essential if you work remotely. Test the speed during the viewing. In older houses, ask about the water cistern and the water pressure. To estimate these costs, read our article Cost of living in Djerba: how to estimate your budget.

Do you need a car to live in Djerba?

In practice, yes: a car is all but essential. The island is large, residential areas are spread out and public transport does not cover every daily need: shopping, school, medical appointments, paperwork in Houmt Souk. A bicycle or scooter is fine for short trips within one area, but the summer heat limits their use.

To reach the mainland there are two options: the El Kantara causeway and the Djorf–Ajim ferry. Djerba-Zarzis international airport, at Mellita, is the island's air gateway; routes vary with the season, so check them before planning your trips home. If you intend to drive on a foreign licence or bring your own vehicle, ask the Tunisian authorities about the applicable rules.

How long can you stay, and do you need a residence card?

Nationals of many European countries (France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland…) and Canada can enter Tunisia without a visa for a tourist stay, generally for up to 3 months: check for your nationality. To live in Djerba all year round, you must apply for a residence card beyond that period.

Beware of a common misconception: owning property in Tunisia does not automatically give you the right to reside. For retirees, the official idaraty portal lists the documents required, including regular transfer of your pension, proof of accommodation, passport, photos and a form. We cover this process in our article Retiring to Djerba, and our relocation page summarises how we support people settling here.

This information is general and dated November 2026; rules change, so have your case checked by a Tunisian lawyer or the relevant authorities.

Should you rent before buying in Djerba?

This is our most consistent advice: rent long term first, for at least several months, ideally through one summer and one winter. This lets you:

1. test the area, journeys, neighbours and noise across the seasons;
2. check schooling and medical follow-up over time;
3. measure your real day-to-day expenses;
4. understand the purchase rules for foreigners (governor's authorisation, checking the land title);
5. view properties for sale without pressure.

Our article Long-term rental in Djerba: finding a home explains how to search, view and sign a lease. To choose when to come for a first scouting trip, see also When to come to Djerba?

How can MY VILLA RISE help you?

Our agency is based in Midoun, Route du Phare. For a year-round move, we can:

• offer you long-term rentals and arrange viewings, in person or by video;
• show you properties such as this villa with a pool in Tezdaine;
• support you later with a purchase, property management while you are away, pool maintenance or concierge services;
• refer you to the relevant professionals (notary, lawyer, accountant), without acting in their place.

To start your search, visit our long-term rental page.

Frequently asked questions

Is Djerba suitable for a family with children?

Yes, provided you have sorted out schooling before you move. Residential areas such as Tezdaine or Aghir are quiet but involve driving; Midoun or Houmt Souk bring you closer to services.

Is there a French lycée in Djerba?

A French lycée, Victor Hugo, was inaugurated in Djerba in November 2022, together with the Alliance française de Djerba. Its accreditation has not been confirmed to our knowledge: check it on the AEFE or French Ministry of Education website before enrolling.

Where should you go in a medical emergency in Djerba?

The Sadok Mokaddem regional hospital in Houmt Souk is the island's main public hospital and runs the emergency department. There are also private clinics in Houmt Souk: check their services in advance and keep your insurance certificate to hand.

Can you live in Djerba without a car?

It is possible if you live in the centre of Midoun or Houmt Souk and your needs are limited, but it is restrictive. In residential areas, a car is all but essential.

Does buying a house in Djerba entitle you to a residence card?

No, owning property does not automatically give you the right to reside. Beyond the tourist stay allowed for your nationality, you must apply for a residence card; have your situation checked by a Tunisian lawyer.

Sources: Idaraty – residence card for retired foreigners; La Presse – Djerba regional hospital (04/11/2025); L'Économiste maghrébin – inauguration of the Victor Hugo French lycée (20/11/2022).

A question about your project? Contact MY VILLA RISE reception on +216 99 573 082 (phone and WhatsApp) or at contact@myvillarise.com, or via our contact page.