Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — October 1, 2026: Tanzania's new mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance requirement for foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania officially takes effect today, October 1, 2026, as the Government strengthens arrangements aimed at providing insurance protection and emergency assistance to international visitors during their stay.
The implementation follows the publication of the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, through Government Notice No. 256 of 2026, dated September 4, 2026, under the Insurance Act. The Ministry of Finance subsequently confirmed that implementation would officially commence on October 1.
Under the new arrangement, foreign visitors entering Tanzania through Mainland Tanzania by air, land or sea are required to obtain the designated Inbound Travel Insurance from the National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC), subject to applicable exemptions.
Visitors entering the United Republic of Tanzania through Zanzibar obtain the designated cover from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
ONE POLICY FOR MAINLAND TANZANIA AND ZANZIBAR
One of the key clarifications for international travellers is that visitors combining Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar in the same trip do not need to purchase two mandatory inbound travel insurance policies.
According to NIC, a visitor whose first point of entry is Mainland Tanzania and who obtains the required NIC cover can subsequently travel to Zanzibar without purchasing another mandatory inbound travel insurance policy, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
Similarly, visitors whose first point of entry is Zanzibar and who obtain the required ZIC cover can continue to Mainland Tanzania without purchasing another mandatory policy, subject to the validity and terms of their existing cover.
The arrangement is particularly relevant for tourists combining a Tanzania safari on the mainland with a beach holiday in Zanzibar, one of the country's popular multi-destination travel experiences.
WHO IS REQUIRED TO HAVE THE INSURANCE?
The mandatory mainland cover applies to eligible foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania through airports, seaports and land borders.
NIC's current information states that residents of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Partner States are exempt from purchasing the mainland mandatory cover. Travellers should check the applicable exemptions and current official requirements before travelling.
The requirement is separate from any private travel insurance a visitor may already have. The mandatory inbound policy is the designated entry requirement, while travellers may also choose broader private travel protection depending on their needs and the terms of their existing insurance.
COST AND VALIDITY
According to NIC's current published information, the mainland inbound travel insurance costs the Tanzanian shilling equivalent of US$44 per person and provides coverage for up to 92 days, including multiple entries within the validity period specified on the policy certificate.
Recent tourism-industry guidance also indicates reduced rates for children and group travellers. Travellers should confirm the applicable premium and eligibility directly through the official insurance provider before purchasing.
WHAT DOES THE COVER PROVIDE?
The mandatory inbound insurance is designed to provide protection against specified risks during a visitor's stay in Tanzania.
NIC states that the cover includes benefits relating to:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Repatriation
- Loss of luggage
Coverage remains subject to the policy's terms, conditions, limits and applicable exclusions.
The insurance is therefore intended to provide visitors with access to assistance in situations such as medical emergencies and other covered incidents that may occur during their journey.
TRAVELLERS ENCOURAGED TO ARRANGE COVER BEFORE DEPARTURE
International visitors entering Mainland Tanzania are encouraged to obtain the required insurance before travelling in order to facilitate entry procedures and minimize potential delays on arrival.
NIC has established a dedicated online platform through which eligible visitors can apply for the mainland inbound travel insurance. A digital certificate is issued following successful purchase and can be used as proof of coverage.
Visitors can also verify their policy status through NIC's online verification system using their passport or policy details.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR TANZANIA'S TOURISM INDUSTRY
The introduction of the mandatory inbound travel insurance represents an important change for international visitors, airlines, tour operators, travel agents and other tourism stakeholders involved in the arrival and movement of foreign travellers.
For Tanzania's tourism industry, clear communication of the requirement will be particularly important as visitors plan itineraries that combine different destinations and tourism circuits.
The clarification that one valid designated policy can cover an itinerary involving both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, depending on the traveller's first point of entry, provides an important reference for tourists planning multi-destination holidays.
Tanzania offers a wide range of tourism experiences, from the Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Mount Kilimanjaro on the mainland to the beaches and cultural attractions of Zanzibar. The insurance arrangement applies across these travel itineraries through the designated provider corresponding to the traveller's first point of entry.
A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
With implementation beginning today, October 1, 2026, international visitors planning to enter Mainland Tanzania should take the new requirement into account when preparing their travel arrangements.
The Government's framework establishes NIC and ZIC as the designated inbound travel insurance providers for Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar respectively, while providing for continuity of coverage for travellers moving between the two parts of the United Republic of Tanzania, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
For travellers planning a Tanzania safari, beach holiday or combined mainland-Zanzibar itinerary, obtaining the appropriate insurance before departure can help ensure a smoother arrival and travel experience.
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