Tanzania Mandatory Travel Insurance: Latest 2026 Update

Travelers planning a visit to Tanzania should be aware of a new entry requirement that officially took effect on 1 October 2026. Foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania are now required to have mandatory inbound travel insurance, in addition to meeting the country's other applicable entry requirements.

The new requirement was introduced under the Inbound Travel Insurance Regulations, 2026, issued under Tanzania's Insurance Act. The Ministry of Finance has advised international travelers to arrange the required insurance before traveling in order to reduce delays at the point of entry. Tanzania Embassy

How Much Does the Mandatory Tanzania Travel Insurance Cost?

The mandatory inbound travel insurance costs US$44 per visitor and provides coverage for a period of up to 92 days.

The requirement applies to eligible foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania by air, land, or sea. The insurance is available through the designated insurance system operated by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) for travelers whose first point of entry is Mainland Tanzania. Tanzania Embassy

What Does the Insurance Cover?

The mandatory inbound insurance is designed to provide protection for visitors in the event of medical emergencies during their stay. The regulations and official guidance include emergency-related assistance, with the policy operating according to its terms and conditions.

Travelers should understand that this mandatory policy does not necessarily replace comprehensive personal travel insurance. Visitors are still encouraged to have additional travel insurance that meets their individual needs, particularly for activities such as adventure travel, hiking, trekking, safari activities, trip cancellation, or other risks that may not be fully covered by the mandatory policy. GGOV.UK

Do Travelers Visiting Zanzibar Need Separate Insurance?

This is one of the most important points for travelers planning a Tanzania safari and Zanzibar holiday.

The mandatory insurance system already applied to visitors entering Zanzibar, and from 1 October 2026 the Mainland Tanzania requirement also became effective.

The latest clarification is that travelers do not need to purchase two mandatory policies simply because their itinerary includes both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

The insurance provider is determined by the traveler's first point of entry:

• If you enter Mainland Tanzania first, you obtain the required insurance through NIC.
• If you enter Zanzibar first, you obtain the required insurance through Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
• A valid policy can cover the traveler when continuing between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, subject to the policy's terms and validity.
• Travelers should keep their insurance certificate and QR code available throughout their journey. Zanzibar Insurance Corporation+1

This is particularly important for visitors flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport or Dar es Salaam, enjoying a safari, and then continuing to Zanzibar.

What About Travelers from EAC and SADC Countries?

There is an important exemption for qualifying travelers from East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states.

According to the latest clarification from ZIC, qualifying EAC and SADC travelers are exempt from the Mainland Tanzania mandatory inbound insurance requirement. However, this exemption does not automatically remove Zanzibar's separate insurance requirement. Travelers entering Zanzibar should check the applicable Zanzibar rules. Zanzibar Insurance Corporation

Can You Buy the Insurance at the Airport?

Yes. The insurance can be arranged before traveling, and official guidance also provides for obtaining it at the point of entry.

However, the Tanzanian Ministry of Finance strongly advises international travelers to arrange the insurance before traveling to help avoid unnecessary delays during immigration and entry procedures. Tanzania Embassy

After purchasing the insurance, travelers should keep their electronic or printed certificate and QR code available for verification.

What Happens If You Arrive Without the Required Insurance?

Travelers who are subject to the requirement should not assume that their normal travel insurance will automatically satisfy Tanzania's mandatory inbound insurance requirement.

Current official travel guidance states that visitors may be refused entry if they do not have the required insurance. Travelers entering Mainland Tanzania are expected to obtain the designated inbound insurance through NIC, while those entering Zanzibar first use ZIC.

Is My Existing Travel Insurance Enough?

This is an important question for international tourists.

Generally, travelers should not assume that an existing travel insurance policy is a substitute for Tanzania's mandatory inbound policy.

The UK government's current Tanzania travel guidance states that travelers entering Mainland Tanzania must obtain the required insurance through NIC and those entering Zanzibar must obtain it through ZIC. It also recommends maintaining additional travel insurance for the traveler's individual needs.

Therefore, travelers should consider the mandatory Tanzania policy as an entry requirement, while maintaining comprehensive travel insurance where appropriate.

What Does This Mean for Safari and Kilimanjaro Travelers?

The new requirement is particularly relevant to visitors coming to Tanzania for:

• Serengeti and Ngorongoro safaris
• Mount Kilimanjaro trekking
• Mount Meru climbing
• Zanzibar holidays
• Beach vacations
• Cultural and adventure tours
• Business and other eligible visits

For travelers arriving through Kilimanjaro International Airport, for example, the mandatory Mainland Tanzania insurance requirement should be arranged through NIC before or upon arrival.

For travelers combining a Kilimanjaro trek or Tanzania safari with Zanzibar, only one mandatory inbound policy is required for the same journey, provided the policy remains valid and applicable. Zanzibar Insurance Corporation

Important Advice for Travelers

If you are planning to visit Tanzania, it is recommended that you:

1. Check whether you are subject to the mandatory insurance requirement.
2. Identify your first point of entry — Mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar.
3. Purchase the appropriate mandatory insurance before departure.
4. Keep your insurance certificate and QR code accessible on your phone and, preferably, as a printed copy.
5. Check the 92-day validity period if you are planning a long stay.
6. Consider purchasing additional comprehensive travel insurance appropriate for your activities and personal circumstances.
7. If you are booking through a tour operator, confirm that the company has provided you with the latest insurance information before departure.