Tanzania’s mandatory travel insurance requirement takes effect

As of Thursday, October 1, 2026, foreign visitors subject to the new requirement must have specific travel insurance to enter mainland Tanzania.

The new requirement, whose implementation VisasNews recently reported, extends the mandatory insurance system already in place in Zanzibar since October 1, 2024.

Introduced under the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, published on September 4, the requirement applies to foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania by air, sea, or land, subject to applicable exemptions.

With questions remaining about how the new system would work, particularly for tourists combining a safari with a stay in Zanzibar, the two designated insurance providers have now issued important clarifications.

NIC confirms that one insurance policy covers both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar

This is likely the clarification travelers and tourism industry professionals have been waiting for.

In an official statement, the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) confirms that visitors will not have to purchase two mandatory insurance policies simply because their itinerary includes both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

According to the insurer, the policy travelers need depends on where they first enter the country.

There are two possible scenarios:

• Travelers entering mainland Tanzania first: Visitors must purchase their insurance from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC). They can then travel to Zanzibar without buying a second mandatory policy.
• Travelers entering Zanzibar first: Visitors must obtain insurance from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). Their existing coverage also allows them to continue to mainland Tanzania without purchasing another mandatory policy.

In both cases, recognition of the original insurance policy remains subject to its validity and applicable terms and conditions.

This arrangement is particularly relevant for tourists arriving in Dar es Salaam or at Kilimanjaro International Airport for a safari before heading to Zanzibar’s beaches.

The same principle applies in reverse to travelers who arrive directly in Zanzibar before continuing their journey on the mainland.

NIC’s announcement explicitly confirms a principle outlined by Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance in its September 25 notice: visitors should receive emergency assistance from their original insurer throughout the United Republic of Tanzania.

ZIC insurance policies purchased before October 1 remain valid

The Zanzibar Insurance Corporation has confirmed the same arrangements in an official statement published on September 28, 2026.

ZIC makes it clear that visitors should not be required to purchase two mandatory insurance policies for the same trip simply because their itinerary includes both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

The corporation has also announced an important transitional measure for travelers who arranged their insurance in advance.

Visitors who purchased and fully paid for their ZIC insurance before October 1, 2026, can keep their existing coverage, even if their trip begins in mainland Tanzania.

They do not need to cancel their original policy and purchase a new one from NIC, provided their existing insurance remains valid and covers the trip in question.

This transitional arrangement is designed to prevent travelers who planned their trips before the introduction of the mainland insurance requirement from incurring additional costs.

For new policies purchased on or after October 1, the general rule remains unchanged: travelers must choose their insurance provider based on their first point of entry.

Mandatory travel insurance in Tanzania and Zanzibar costs $44, with discounts for children and groups

Families and groups can also benefit from reduced insurance costs, with both companies offering the same standard rates and discounts based on travelers’ ages and group size.

The official platforms operated by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) and the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) display a standard rate of $44 per adult, with free coverage for young children and several purchasing options.

Both providers advertise the following rates and discounts:

Both insurers offer three insurance packages.

• The Individual Package is designed for solo travelers and bookings covering up to two people.
• The Family Package covers families or bookings involving three to nine people. Children remain eligible for the age-based discounts.
• The Group Package is available for groups of at least 10 travelers and provides a 10% discount on adult rates. NIC specifies that this package accommodates groups of up to 100 people, while ZIC lists a minimum of 10 participants without indicating an upper limit on its package selection page.

Age-based discounts for children also remain available under group policies.

ZIC additionally offers a dedicated category for international students studying in Zanzibar, with an exemption advertised on its website. Students should confirm the eligibility requirements directly with the insurer.

Insurance rates are therefore the same whether a trip begins in mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar, subject to any applicable discounts.

The only difference is which insurer travelers must use, based on their first point of entry into the country. The final amount payable should be confirmed during the purchasing process on the relevant official platform.

Insurance remains valid for up to 92 days and allows multiple entries

As previously announced, NIC’s mandatory insurance provides coverage for up to 92 days.

The policy’s validity is determined by the dates shown on the traveler’s insurance certificate. During this period, multiple entries are permitted without the need to purchase a new policy each time the traveler crosses the border.

ZIC has also confirmed that visitors holding valid, unexpired ZIC insurance do not need to purchase another policy when subsequently entering mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar, subject to their policy’s terms and conditions.

For visitors planning to stay longer than 92 days, NIC’s official FAQ provides additional information: travelers can arrange an extension of their insurance coverage directly with the company, provided they do so before their original policy expires.

An insurance extension should not be confused with an extension of permission to stay in Tanzania, which falls under the responsibility of the country’s immigration authorities.

What does NIC’s mandatory travel insurance cover?

In its latest statement, the National Insurance Corporation also outlines the main benefits included in its inbound travel insurance policy.

Beyond fulfilling an entry requirement, the insurance is designed to cover certain unexpected situations that visitors may encounter during their stay in Tanzania.

Coverage includes:

• Emergency medical treatment and certain emergency dental procedures.
• Medical transportation, emergency evacuation, and repatriation.
• Certain incidents involving lost or stolen checked baggage.
• Personal liability coverage and certain legal expenses.
• Assistance in the event of stolen travel documents.
• Repatriation of remains in the event of the insured traveler’s death.

NIC emphasizes, however, that these benefits are subject to the coverage limits, conditions, and exclusions specified in the insurance contract.

Certain preexisting medical conditions, routine medical examinations, and trips undertaken specifically to receive medical treatment are subject to particular provisions.

The company therefore encourages travelers to review their policy terms before departure to understand exactly what their insurance covers.

These benefits apply to NIC’s insurance policy. Travelers purchasing insurance through Zanzibar’s system should review the specific terms and conditions of their ZIC coverage.

How to purchase mandatory travel insurance for Tanzania?

NIC recommends that travelers subject to the requirement purchase their insurance before departure to streamline entry procedures and avoid potential delays at the border.

The appropriate official platform depends on where travelers first enter the country.

For travelers entering mainland Tanzania first:

Visitors should use the National Insurance Corporation’s official insurance portal.

The platform allows applicants to enter their personal information and travel details before completing the insurance payment.

For travelers entering Zanzibar first:

Insurance must be purchased through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation’s official portal.

Both companies recognize policies purchased in accordance with the first-point-of-entry rules, eliminating the need for travelers to obtain a second mandatory policy when traveling between the mainland and Zanzibar.

The system also provides options for purchasing insurance upon arrival. However, authorities recommend completing the process before traveling.

Travelers must keep their insurance certificate and QR code throughout their stay

Once their insurance has been issued, travelers must retain their certificate throughout their stay.

ZIC specifies that the insurance certificate and its associated QR code can be presented electronically or in printed form.

These documents may be checked at entry points to verify the policy’s authenticity, validity, and coverage period.

Visitors combining mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar should therefore keep their insurance documents readily accessible, including when traveling between the two destinations.

NIC introduces 24/7 assistance for international travelers

To support visitors, the National Insurance Corporation says it has established a dedicated, round-the-clock assistance service, with staff available to answer questions and assist policyholders.

The company also reports that it is working with government institutions and border authorities to facilitate insurance verification and provide assistance to travelers.

Visitors insured through NIC can use the following contact details if they encounter difficulties or require emergency assistance:

• International assistance: +255 736 100 800
• Local toll-free number: 0800 110 041
• Email: wecare.inbound@nicinsurance.co.tz

Certain travelers remain exempt from the insurance requirement

The new requirement does not apply to all foreign visitors without exception.

The regulations notably provide exemptions for residents of member states of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

This distinction is important: for mainland Tanzania’s insurance requirement, the regulations and NIC’s official documentation refer to residency in the relevant member states, rather than travelers’ nationality alone.

However, ZIC emphasizes in its statement that travelers who qualify for an exemption on the mainland are not automatically exempt from Zanzibar’s mandatory insurance requirement.

Visitors concerned should therefore check the rules applicable to their individual circumstances and travel itinerary.

For US, UK, Canadian, Australian, and European travelers who do not qualify for a specific exemption, local travel insurance is now an additional requirement to consider when planning a trip.

Finally, the new insurance requirement does not replace Tanzania’s other entry formalities. Travelers who require a visa must still obtain one, including through the country’s official e-Visa portal.