Getting paid from North Africa

Rules and fees change often. This guide summarises public sources and is not legal or tax advice. Last checked 2026-10-10.

Employee, contractor or employer of record?

Employee through an employer of record (EOR): a company such as Deel or Remote employs you locally on the client’s behalf. Employment contract, social contributions, payslip.
Contractor (freelance): you invoice the company. More common and simpler for the employer, but you handle your status, taxes and receiving payments.
Postings often state the contract type: we show it on each job when it is known.

The Tunisian dinar is not freely convertible, so foreign income goes through official channels. The state encourages service exports: a professional foreign-currency account and the international technology card are the usual routes.
Payoneer is the most common way to receive from clients and platforms (Upwork, Fiverr) and withdraw to a Tunisian bank in dinars. Wise often has better rates, but withdrawals to Tunisian dinar accounts can be restricted: many people receive on Wise and move the money by bank transfer.
Banks may ask for proof of where the money comes from (contract, invoices) before crediting it. Keep your paperwork ready.
An auto-entrepreneur status exists for individuals working alone under a revenue cap. A bill on the status of freelancers working for foreign clients (including access to PayPal) was filed in parliament in 2026 and is not law yet.

Payoneer is widely used, especially for platform work, with withdrawal to a Moroccan bank in dirhams. Expect a few percent in conversion and withdrawal fees.
Wise is often cheaper and more transparent for direct clients, but check that withdrawals in dirhams (MAD) to your bank work for your account with a small test transfer before giving clients your details.
Morocco’s foreign-exchange rules affect how freelancers receive and convert foreign payments. Put the currency and payment method in your contract, and keep contracts, invoices and bank statements.
The auto-entrepreneur status can suit freelancers, but its revenue cap is low for big retainers and income from a single client may be taxed differently. Check with an accountant.

Receiving money from abroad is the hardest part in Algeria: banking restrictions are strict and foreign currency is converted to dinars at the official rate.
Whether Payoneer fully works for withdrawals in Algeria is disputed between sources. Confirm withdrawal and currency options directly with Payoneer before relying on it.
Many freelancers combine a platform balance with a foreign-currency (devises) bank account. Ask your bank’s foreign-exchange desk which documents they need for payments for exported services.
Check the auto-entrepreneur status and the Bank of Algeria’s rules on service exports with your bank or the tax administration (DGI) before you start.

Payoneer is the most established option: it works with nearly every freelance platform and withdraws to an Egyptian bank in pounds, but fees add up (receiving, withdrawal and conversion).
Wise can receive client payments that you then withdraw to an Egyptian bank; the Wise card is not available to Egyptian residents, and support depends on your client’s currency.
For large one-off payments, a direct international bank transfer is the usual alternative.
Egyptian residents are generally taxed on worldwide income, including foreign freelance work. Check current rates and registration with the Egyptian Tax Authority or an accountant.

Do a small test payment before the first real one.
Keep contracts, invoices and statements: banks may ask where the money comes from.
Compare the total cost (receiving + conversion + withdrawal), not one advertised fee.
For status and taxes, a local accountant beats any blog post, including this one.