New regulations require foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania through land borders, seaports, or airports to have mandatory travel insurance purchased from the Government of Tanzania, regardless of whether they have their own travel insurance already.

 

Start date: 1st October 2026

​

1. The insurance may be purchased before travelling at https://inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz/

2. This will also be available at the point of entry into Tanzania, but I do not have details, so for now assume pre-purchase only.

3. The fee has been set at USD $44 (payable in Tanzanian shillings0 for adults; $22 for children aged 3-17 years, with children 0-2yrs being free.

4. Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount.

5. The policy will be valid for a maximum of 92 days from the date of arrival and will allow multiple entries into mainland Tanzania during that period.

6. Citizens of member countries of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are exempt from this requirement.

 

Whilst this requirement is similar in nature to Zanzibar's mandatory requirement, it is separate, but only one or the other needs to be purchased, determined by the passenger's first port of entry :

 

If arriving into Mainland Tanzania first - Applicable visitors should obtain NIC Inbound Travel Insurance. Visitors travelling on to Zanzibar do not require to purchase the Zanzibar (ZIC) Insurance. Please keep a copy of the NIC insurance certificate available for verification.

 

If arriving into Zanzibar first - Applicable visitors should obtain valid ZIC Inbound Travel Insurance.  Visitors travelling on to Tanzania's mainland do not require to purchase the NIC Mainland insurance. Please keep a copy of the ZIC insurance certificate available for verification.

​

If you have already purchased Zanzibar insurance prior to the announcement but will arrive into Tanzania first, please present your valid ZIC Insurance certificate and this allow you to be waived the NIC Mainland Insurance.

​

Insurance Cover

• Emergency medical treatment

• Medical evacuation

• Repatriation of a patient or the remains of a deceased person

• Loss of baggage

• Coverage limits and claim conditions will be specified in the relevant insurance policy.

 

According to the regulations, the service will be provided by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) or other registered insurance companies working in partnership with NIC, under the supervision of the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA).

 

The requirement has been introduced through the 2026 Inbound Travellers Insurance Regulations, published in the Government Gazette under Government Notice No. 256 of September 4, 2026.

 

Issued by KHAMIS MUSSA OMAR, Minister of Finance