Following Zanzibar’s lead, which has enforced this rule for several months now, mainland Tanzania is considering requiring international travelers to purchase mandatory health insurance.
Mainland Tanzania is preparing to follow Zanzibar’s example by introducing mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors. The measure, proposed as part of an amendment to the country’s insurance laws, aims to strengthen medical coverage for tourists while managing travel-related risks.
During the presentation of the national budget for 2025–2026, Tanzania’s Finance Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba, proposed changes to the Insurance Act that would make travel insurance mandatory for all non-residents entering mainland Tanzania.
“I propose to amend the Insurance Act, CAP 394 to introduce travel insurance for foreigners entering the country at the rate of US$ 44 as is the case in Zanzibar,” Mwigulu Nchemba said.
Travel insurance in Tanzania: $44 for coverage up to 92 days
Similar to the entry insurance currently in place in Zanzibar, the mainland policy would cost $44 per visitor.
The mandatory insurance would cover a broad range of travel-related services, including:
- Medical emergencies during the stay
- Medical repatriation or repatriation in case of death
- Travel accidents
- Delays and theft of luggage.
The policy would be valid for up to 92 days per visitor, matching the typical duration of short- to mid-term tourist stays.
Mandatory insurance exemption for countries neighboring Tanzania
All foreign travelers would be required to purchase this insurance, with the exception of citizens from East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
Implementation of the insurance plan will be carried out through a public-private partnership. The state-owned National Insurance Corporation (NIC) will play a central role in administering the program. Responsibilities will include revenue allocation and ensuring transparent, efficient service delivery.
Tanzania visa processing delays still ongoing
For the past several VisasNews travel experts have noticed unusual delays in the processing of electronic visas for Tanzania and difficulties in paying e-Visa fees, a situation recently acknowledged by Tanzanian authorities.
In a recent communication, TanzaniaTourism.uk, a portal managed by the tourism promotion office at Tanzania’s embassy in London, confirmed that delays are currently affecting many international travelers, with some receiving e-Visa approvals just days, or even hours, before departure.
According to the embassy’s tourism office, these difficulties are partly due to “increased volumes and the implementation of a new electronic system which will make things far quicker, once fully integrated.”
No specific timeline has been provided for when services will return to normal, but improvements are expected in the medium term. In the meantime, VisasNews strongly advises travelers to submit their electronic visa application for Tanzania as soon as possible.
Eligible travelers can still obtain a visa on arrival in Tanzania without any prior steps by paying $50 at the airport. Tourists whose e-Visa applications are not approved before departure may also receive a visa upon arrival at the “e-Visa” counter, free of additional charge, provided they present the “Application ID” received when registering their online request.
