Mainland Tanzania: mandatory travel insurance applies from October 1, 2026

The cost is 44 USD €38.63, covering 92 days, and can be purchased online or at the point of entry.

Date officially set by the Ministry of Finance

On September 22, we reported that the mandatory insurance for mainland Tanzania was imminent: mandated in the Finance Act, it still required an implementation date. This official calendar is now fixed.

In a public notice signed by the Permanent Secretary and Paymaster General, Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, the Ministry of Finance announces that the foreign visitors' travel insurance scheme will officially take effect as of October 1, 2026. The Tanzanian embassy in Rome released their communication on September 27.

The notice reiterates the legal basis. The 2025 Finance Act added Section 134A to the Insurance Act (Cap. 394), and the implementing regulations were published in Government Notice No. 256 of 2026, dated September 4. These regulations are not yet available on official government websites, so travelers should rely on the details shared by the Ministry of Finance and NIC.

What coverage includes and how much it costs

The insurance premium is set at 44 USD €36.87, payable in Tanzanian shillings at the equivalent amount. This is confirmed in the NIC's FAQ portal.

The policy covers up to 92 days and allows multiple entries during this period. It takes effect immediately upon payment. The announced NIC coverage includes four key aspects:

• Emergency medical expenses;

• Emergency medical evacuation;

• Repatriation;

• Loss of luggage.

Discounts are available based on age, similar to Zanzibar. Infants under two are exempt, while children aged 3–17 pay 50% less. Travelers in groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount.

The N

Looking ahead to other upcoming changes, Tanzania has noted that just as its policy for mainland Tanzania mirrors Zanzibar's, discounts apply by age. Babies under two pay nothing, children aged 3-17 pay half, and adults traveling in groups of 10 or more get 10% off. The NIC portal also offers three package types: individual (1-2 people), family (3-9), and group (10-100).

A refund for trip cancellation is possible but depends on NIC policy and when the cancellation is made, and supporting documentation may be requested.

Who must purchase it and who is exempt

The requirement applies to all foreign nationals entering the Tanzanian mainland by air, land, or sea, regardless of their point of entry—at Dar es Salaam, Kilimandjaro International Airport, land border crossings, or ports.

According to NIC FAQ, travelers from East African Community (EAC) or Southern African Development Community (SADC) partner states are exempt. For those arriving from Europe, North America, Asia, North Africa, West Africa, or the Middle East, insurance is mandatory in nearly all cases.

The Ministry of Finance states that NIC is the sole provider for mainland Tanzania. Travel insurance purchased elsewhere, even if more comprehensive, does not exempt visitors from the requirement—the NIC policy is what must be presented.

How to buy and present insurance upon arrival

Travel insurance can be purchased through the official inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz portal or at the point of entry. The Ministry of Finance strongly recommends arranging it before departure to streamline entry formalities and avoid potential delays at arrival.

Online payment is accepted by debit or credit card, while in-person payments at entry points must be made in cash.

Required details include passport information, travel dates, purpose of stay, and personal data. Once submitted, travelers receive a digital or printed certificate to present upon arrival for verification. The portal also allows checking certificate validity using passport or contract number.

In case of a claim during the stay, NIC provides a 24/7 assistance hotline at +255 736 100 800.

Safaris vs Zanzibar: Which insurance applies where?

Zanzibar has had its own travel insurance regime in place since October 1, 2024, provided by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), as outlined in our report on the archipelago. The new notice clarifies that the two systems will coexist from the point of entry into the country.

Travelers entering Tanzania through the mainland must purchase the NIC policy. Those entering via Zanzibar must purchase the ZIC policy. In case of emergency anywhere in the United Republic of Tanzania, it is the insurer that issued the policy that covers the traveler according to the terms of that policy.

For instance, if a visitor arrives at Kilimanjaro International Airport for a safari in Serengeti followed by a few days in Zanzibar, the NIC policy is required. Conversely, travelers landing directly in Zanzibar and then heading to mainland Tanzania for a safari fall under the ZIC.

The same way as Zanzibar, Visamundi will soon offer its purchase through a single form.