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Foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania are now required to obtain inbound travel insurance at a cost of US$44 per person, with the policy providing cover for specified medical emergencies and other travel-related risks during their stay.
The new requirement took effect on October 1, 2026, following the implementation of the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, issued under Government Notice No. 256 of September 4, 2026.
The regulations require eligible foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania through airports, seaports and land borders to possess valid inbound travel insurance.
Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba Urges Travellers to Arrange Insurance Before Arrival
Permanent Secretary and Paymaster General in the Ministry of Finance, Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, has advised international travellers to make the necessary arrangements and obtain the required inbound travel insurance before travelling to Tanzania.
According to Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, obtaining the insurance in advance will help facilitate entry procedures and avoid unnecessary inconvenience or delays upon arrival.
The Ministry of Finance has designated the National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC) as the provider for visitors entering through Mainland Tanzania, while visitors whose first point of entry is Zanzibar obtain their cover from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
The advice from Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba is particularly important because the regulations provide that a foreigner entering Mainland Tanzania without a valid inbound travel insurance policy shall be denied entry.
Insurance Costs US$44 Per Person
The premium for inbound travel insurance is set at the Tanzania Shillings equivalent of US$44 per person.
The premium is payable through payment systems provided by the inbound travel insurer and is generally non-refundable, except in circumstances provided for under the policy.
Travellers can purchase the policy before travelling or at the point of entry.
However, authorities are encouraging international visitors to arrange the insurance before travelling to Tanzania in order to facilitate a smoother arrival process.
Policy Valid for Up to 92 Days
The inbound travel insurance policy is valid for a maximum period of 92 days from the date of arrival in Mainland Tanzania.
The 92-day validity period also allows multiple entries into Mainland Tanzania during the period covered by the policy.
Visitors intending to remain in Mainland Tanzania beyond the 92-day period are required to obtain a new policy.
What Does the Insurance Cover?
The regulations specify four main benefits under the inbound travel insurance:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Emergency repatriation
- Loss of luggage
The specific limits of cover and benefits are contained in the policy issued by the inbound travel insurer.
Travellers are advised to carefully understand the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of their policies, as not every illness, loss or incident is automatically covered.
NIC Provides Insurance for Mainland Arrivals
The National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC) has been entrusted with providing inbound travel insurance for eligible visitors entering Mainland Tanzania.
The regulations provide that NIC shall develop a mechanism for partnering with other registered insurers in providing inbound travel insurance.
NIC has established a dedicated online platform through which visitors entering Mainland Tanzania can obtain the required insurance.
The corporation is advising travellers to secure the cover before arrival and keep proof of insurance available for verification.
NIC's responsibilities under the new arrangement extend beyond issuing insurance certificates to supporting visitors when they require assistance.
NIC Director of Marketing and Communications Unit, Karimu Meshack, said the corporation's role includes helping visitors understand their protection and being ready to support them when they need assistance.
Who Is Exempt?
The requirement applies to eligible foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania.
However, the regulations specifically exclude residents of East African Community (EAC) Partner States and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Partner States from the definition of “foreigner” for purposes of the regulations.
Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar Travel
The new arrangement also provides clarity for international visitors whose itineraries combine Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
A visitor whose first point of entry is Mainland Tanzania and who obtains the required inbound travel insurance can subsequently travel to Zanzibar without purchasing another inbound travel insurance policy, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
Similarly, a visitor whose first point of entry is Zanzibar and who obtains valid cover there can subsequently travel to Mainland Tanzania without purchasing the mandatory insurance again.
This arrangement is particularly relevant to international travellers combining Mainland Tanzania's tourism destinations, including Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Mount Kilimanjaro, with holidays in Zanzibar.
Insurers Required to Establish Verification Systems
The regulations require the inbound travel insurer to establish mechanisms for verifying premium payments and ensure that its systems are integrated with relevant authorities for verification of inbound travel insurance.
The insurer must also:
- Provide clear procedures for claims handling;
- Disclose policy terms, exclusions and limits to the insured;
- Provide contact details for assistance; and
- Maintain records of all policies issued, claims received and claims settled.
Digital Infrastructure and Customer Support
The regulations place significant emphasis on infrastructure required for effective implementation of the new framework.
Inbound travel insurers are required to develop:
- Automated and robust underwriting and claims-handling systems;
- Customer-care and complaints-handling mechanisms;
- Service-provider mechanisms; and
- Other appropriate infrastructure.
Information relating to inbound travel insurance services, including designated service providers and emergency assistance contacts, is also required to be made available through the official websites and social media accounts of the Authority and the inbound travel insurer.
Protection of Travellers' Personal Data
The regulations further provide that personal data obtained in the administration of inbound travel insurance must be handled in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act.
This provision is relevant to the digital nature of the insurance process, which involves the collection and processing of information relating to international travellers.
Insurance Products Require Regulatory Approval
Inbound travel insurers are not permitted to provide inbound travel insurance without prior approval of the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority.
The Authority is responsible for prescribing the procedure for applications for product approval and may, where public interest exists, exempt an inbound travel insurer from seeking prior approval under the regulations.
Key Facts for International Travellers
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective date | October 1, 2026 |
| Premium | Tanzania Shillings equivalent of US$44 per person |
| Maximum validity | 92 days |
| Multiple entries | Allowed during the validity period |
| Purchase | Before travel or at point of entry |
| Entry points | Airports, seaports and land borders |
| Main benefits | Emergency medical treatment, evacuation, repatriation and loss of luggage |
| Mainland provider | National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC) |
| Zanzibar provider | Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), for visitors entering through Zanzibar |
| Proof of insurance | Should be kept available for verification |
| Entry without valid insurance | May result in denial of entry |
| EAC/SADC residents | Excluded from the definition of “foreigner” under the regulations |
| Stay beyond 92 days | New policy required |
What Travellers Should Do
With the new requirement now in effect, eligible international visitors planning to travel to Mainland Tanzania should arrange their inbound travel insurance before departure, as advised by Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba.
Travellers should also retain proof of the policy for verification upon arrival and familiarise themselves with the policy's terms, conditions, limits and exclusions.
The regulations were signed in Dodoma on August 31, 2026, by Khamis Mussa Omar, Minister for Finance, and published as Government Notice No. 256 on September 4, 2026.
The implementation of the new requirement marks an important development in Tanzania's inbound travel and insurance framework, particularly for international visitors travelling to the country's mainland tourism destinations and combining their trips with Zanzibar.
Source: Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, Government Notice No. 256, and Daily News reporting on the implementation of mandatory inbound travel insurance.
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