Tanzania Mandates Specific Travel Insurance for Visitors

Tanzania has implemented a new mandate requiring most inbound foreign visitors to carry a specific travel insurance policy, effective October 1, 2025. This requirement, established under Section 134A of Tanzania's Insurance Act, Cap. 394, as amended by the Finance Act 2025, applies regardless of the mode of entry, whether by air, land, or sea. The new regulation aims to ensure that tourists have adequate coverage for emergencies during their stay in the popular safari and beach destination. Transit passengers, diplomats, certain work and residence permit holders, and some residents of other African states are exempt from this requirement. Most American tourists, however, will need to comply with this new insurance mandate to enter the country. The specific policy must be purchased through designated providers depending on the point of entry. Visitors arriving in mainland Tanzania, such as at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), must obtain coverage from the National Insurance Corporation. Those entering through the island of Zanzibar are required to purchase a policy from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Both of these policies are valid for travel between mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. The mandated travel insurance policies are designed to offer comprehensive emergency assistance to tourists. This coverage includes provisions for accidents, health emergencies, and repatriation costs. Additionally, according to the Tanzanian government, the policies will extend to cover incidents such as baggage delays and theft, providing a broader safety net for visitors. The cost of these policies is set at approximately $44 per adult and $22 per child aged between 3 and 17 years. A discount of 10% is available for groups of 10 or more individuals. Children under the age of 3 are exempt from the premium. Travelers have the option to purchase individual, family, or group packages, tailored to the size of their travel party. This initiative positions Tanzania among a growing number of destinations worldwide that are making travel insurance a compulsory component of entry requirements, underscoring a global trend towards ensuring visitor safety and mitigating potential medical or logistical burdens on the host country.