As of today, October 1, 2026, foreign visitors entering Tanzania must purchase Travel Insurance from the Government of Tanzania under Government Notice No. 256 of 2026, a new travel requirement implemented quite suddenly after months of deliberation.
Who does this affect?
This requirement applies to foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania through any method: airports, seaports, and land borders. Residents of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Partner States (Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) are exempt. Visitors without the required insurance may be denied entry to Tanzania.
How does it work and what does it cover?
The insurance is valid for stays of up to 92 days, including multiple entries during the policy period, and covers: emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, repatriation, and loss of luggage.
Where can it be purchased and how much does it cost?
You can purchase the mandatory insurance online through the official National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC) Inbound Travel Insurance portal; it costs $44 per person and can be paid with all major credit and debit cards. Guests must purchase policies online before arriving in Tanzania.
For itineraries that include both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, only one mandatory inbound travel insurance policy is required, based on your first point of entry. Guests entering through Tanzania should obtain their insurance through the National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC), while guests entering through Zanzibar should obtain their insurance through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). Both policies provide coverage while traveling throughout Tanzania and Zanzibar—you do not need to purchase both.
Does this replace personal travel insurance?
No — this insurance applies separately from any personal travel insurance you may already have. We still highly recommend purchasing your own comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
What information will you need to apply for a policy?
You will need to provide your passport information, travel dates, purpose of travel, and basic personal details when applying.
Who does this affect?
This requirement applies to foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania through any method: airports, seaports, and land borders. Residents of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Partner States (Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) are exempt. Visitors without the required insurance may be denied entry to Tanzania.
How does it work and what does it cover?
The insurance is valid for stays of up to 92 days, including multiple entries during the policy period, and covers: emergency medical treatment, medical evacuation, repatriation, and loss of luggage.
Where can it be purchased and how much does it cost?
You can purchase the mandatory insurance online through the official National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC) Inbound Travel Insurance portal; it costs $44 per person and can be paid with all major credit and debit cards. Guests must purchase policies online before arriving in Tanzania.
For itineraries that include both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, only one mandatory inbound travel insurance policy is required, based on your first point of entry. Guests entering through Tanzania should obtain their insurance through the National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC), while guests entering through Zanzibar should obtain their insurance through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). Both policies provide coverage while traveling throughout Tanzania and Zanzibar—you do not need to purchase both.
Does this replace personal travel insurance?
No — this insurance applies separately from any personal travel insurance you may already have. We still highly recommend purchasing your own comprehensive travel insurance coverage.
What information will you need to apply for a policy?
You will need to provide your passport information, travel dates, purpose of travel, and basic personal details when applying.
