Foreign visitors are required to have travel insurance when entering the mainland of Tanzania, effective October 1, 2026, according to a government statement. The regulation had been announced, but a specific implementation date had not been disclosed prior to this latest update.
The required coverage includes medical treatment, ambulance, and medical evacuation and repatriation. The insurance pays for lost or stolen luggage as well. The policy costs US$44 per person and is valid for up to 92 days.
A private travel agency’s insurance policy is not an acceptable substitute. Policies must be purchased from the state-owned National Insurance Corporation, or another approved NIC-affiliated company.
The mandatory travel insurance can be bought online, either ahead of time or at the point of entry. The Tanzanian authorities recommend purchasing and registering online ahead of time. Upon purchase, an electronic certificate with a QR code can be sent to your email, which can be presented as a digital or printed image at the point of entry. Travelers who do not present valid insurance may be denied entry to Tanzania.
Where You Enter Determines Your Travel Insurance
Another important detail is that the first point of entry into Tanzania determines which insurance company provides the coverage. This is especially relevant for visitors planning to visit both the Tanzanian mainland and Zanzibar.
Zanzibar has had its own mandatory travel insurance since October 2024. For Zanzibar, the coverage is provided by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). As a result, visitors should consider their planned points of entry and the associated insurance companies when budgeting for their travel costs.
According to the latest government statement, a single policy from either the NIC or the ZIC should be sufficient to cover travel on both sides of the Zanzibar Channel. However, it is not explicitly stated whether travelers can switch between the two policies freely. It is recommended that visitors confirm directly with the agencies or their chosen travel agent to ensure there will not be any issues.
