Tanzania has officially introduced mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors entering the country, with the new requirement taking effect on October 1, 2026.
Under the new regulations, foreign nationals entering mainland Tanzania through airports, seaports or land borders must obtain government-designated inbound travel insurance. The policy costs the equivalent of US$44 per visitor and provides coverage for up to 92 days.
The measure is part of a new framework established under Tanzania’s Insurance Act and is being implemented through the National Insurance Corporation, NIC, for mainland Tanzania. Visitors entering through Zanzibar are covered separately through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation, ZIC.
What the New Insurance Covers.
The mandatory policy is designed primarily to provide protection against emergencies that can occur during a visitor’s stay.
According to the National Insurance Corporation, the cover includes emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation and loss of baggage, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
The insurance becomes effective once the premium has been paid and is valid for a maximum of 92 days. Visitors are encouraged to obtain the policy before travelling so that proof of insurance can be presented during entry procedures if required.
Who Must Pay the $44.
The requirement applies to foreign nationals entering mainland Tanzania, whether they arrive by air, sea or land.
There are, however, exemptions. Foreigners who are residents of countries belonging to the East African Community, EAC, or the Southern African Development Community, SADC, are exempt from purchasing the mandatory cover.
This means the measure is particularly relevant to visitors arriving from outside those regional blocs, including tourists from Europe, North America, Asia and other international markets.
Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar Use Separate Providers.
The insurance system distinguishes between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Visitors entering mainland Tanzania are required to obtain their cover through the National Insurance Corporation. Those entering Zanzibar obtain the corresponding cover through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation.
The government has also clarified that travellers visiting both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar need only one inbound insurance policy rather than purchasing separate policies for each destination.
Zanzibar has operated a similar mandatory insurance arrangement since 2024, meaning the October 2026 development effectively extends the insurance requirement to mainland Tanzania.
Why Tanzania Is Introducing the Requirement.
The government has framed the policy around providing financial protection for foreign visitors who experience medical emergencies or other covered incidents while in Tanzania.
Tourism is a major component of Tanzania’s economy, with visitors travelling to destinations including Serengeti National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and the country’s other wildlife and coastal attractions.
Mandatory insurance gives the authorities a mechanism for ensuring that foreign visitors have a defined level of emergency protection rather than relying entirely on private arrangements made in their home countries.
It also creates a standardised system through which emergency assistance can be provided to visitors during their stay.
What Travellers Need to Know.
Foreign visitors planning to travel to Tanzania should now include the inbound insurance requirement alongside their visa, passport and other entry preparations.
The government has advised international travellers to arrange the insurance before departure to reduce the possibility of delays at immigration or other entry points.
The policy is priced at a fixed equivalent of US$44 per person, rather than being calculated according to the visitor’s age, destination or length of stay within the 92-day maximum period.
The requirement also creates an important distinction between ordinary private travel insurance and Tanzania’s inbound policy. Visitors should not assume that an existing international insurance policy automatically satisfies the local requirement.
A New Cost for International Visitors.
For an individual traveller, US$44 represents a relatively modest addition to the overall cost of an international trip. For families, tour groups and large numbers of visitors, however, the cumulative cost becomes more significant.
The policy also adds another administrative requirement for Tanzania’s tourism industry. Airlines, tour operators, travel agencies and accommodation providers may need to ensure that visitors understand the requirement before travelling.
For Tanzania, the immediate priority will be making the system straightforward enough that the additional requirement does not create unnecessary delays for tourists arriving at the country’s airports and borders.
With the policy now officially in effect, foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania must have the required inbound travel insurance, while EAC and SADC residents remain exempt. The government’s challenge will be to balance the new protection mechanism with a smooth entry experience for the international travellers on whom the country’s tourism sector depends.
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