A Tanzanian rule that took effect Oct. 1, 2026, requires covered foreign nationals entering the mainland to buy designated travel insurance, adding a premium equivalent to $44 while exempting regional partner-state residents.
The Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, apply to arrivals by land, sea or air. Government Notice No. 256 sets the premium at the Tanzanian-shilling equivalent of $44 per visitor. Residents of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) partner states are exempt.
A policy may remain valid for as long as 92 days from arrival and can allow more than one entry during that period. The regulations allow travelers to arrange insurance before departure or at a border, seaport or airport. Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance recommends securing it before leaving to help avoid delays. The National Insurance Corporation (NIC) says customers can pay online by debit or credit card, or in cash on arrival.
The Ministry says the applicable provider is determined by where a visitor first enters Tanzania: NIC for mainland arrivals and the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) for arrivals through Zanzibar. ZIC says visitors whose trips include both areas should not need two policies for the same journey solely because their itinerary covers both. The regulations accept a printed or electronic certificate, and ZIC advises travelers to keep it and the QR code available during their trip.
The mainland policy lists emergency medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, emergency repatriation and loss of luggage among its benefits. The regulations leave benefit amounts to each policy. Private insurance or coverage attached to a credit card does not by itself satisfy the designated-policy requirement. The regulations state that a covered traveler without valid insurance shall be denied entry.
The island requirement preceded the mainland rule: Zanzibar has required nonresident foreign visitors to hold its own inbound insurance since Oct. 1, 2024.
