Updated 28 September 2026
We've had a lot of messages from clients over the past couple of weeks, all asking the same thing: is it true Tanzania now requires its own travel insurance on top of the policy you're already bringing? It is. We now have firm confirmation from our contacts in Tanzania that the scheme starts on 1 October 2026. Here's exactly what it is, what it costs and how to get it sorted before you fly.
What the rule says
Tanzania published the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026 in its Government Gazette on 4 September 2026, as Government Notice No. 256. From 1 October 2026, every foreign visitor entering Tanzania by air, sea or land border must hold this inbound travel insurance.
The standard adult premium is USD 44, or the equivalent in Tanzanian shillings. It covers you for up to 92 days with multiple entries, so one purchase covers your whole trip, even if you cross in and out more than once. Children aged 3 to 17 pay half price, under-3s are free, and groups of 10 or more get 10% off the adult rate.
The policy covers:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Emergency repatriation
- Loss of luggage
It's regulated by the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority. On the mainland it's issued by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), and in Zanzibar by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
You're exempt if you're a Tanzanian resident, hold a valid work or residence permit, are part of the Tanzanian diaspora, are a diplomat, are only transiting, or are a resident of an EAC or SADC partner state.
How to get it
You can buy it online before you travel or at your point of entry. I'd buy it online before you fly. It takes a few minutes and means you're not queuing for it after a long flight.
- Arriving in mainland Tanzania (Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, or a land border): apply through NIC at inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz/apply
- Arriving in Zanzibar first: apply through ZIC at inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz/insurance
Once it's issued, keep a digital or printed copy of your insurance certificate with you. You may be asked to show it on arrival and at any point during your trip.
How this sits alongside Zanzibar
Zanzibar has had its own mandatory travel insurance since 2024. Under the new scheme, you only need one policy. Buy the one that matches where you first enter Tanzania: NIC if you land on the mainland, ZIC if you land in Zanzibar. After that, you don't need a second inbound policy to travel between the mainland and Zanzibar while your cover is valid.
So if you're climbing Kilimanjaro or on safari first and finishing on the beach in Zanzibar, your NIC policy covers the whole trip.
What this means if you're travelling with us
This sits on top of your own travel insurance, not instead of it. You still need proper cover from your own provider for the climb or safari: trip cancellation, gear, and medical cover that includes high-altitude trekking if you're on Kilimanjaro. The inbound policy works more like an entry requirement, closer to a visa fee than a policy you'd plan to claim on.
For anyone arriving on or after 1 October, your Trip Manager will include this in your pre-departure checklist with the right link for your point of entry, so you're not hunting for the portal the week before you fly. If you enter Tanzania before 1 October, there's nothing you need to do.
If you'd like to plan a new Tanzania trip, book a call with one of our team here: https://calendly.com/d/cq7y-m77-6sm/follow-alice-tanzania-call
Important information:
This information is based on Government Notice No. 256 of 2026 and confirmation received from within Tanzania as of September 2026. Always check the official NIC or ZIC portal for the latest details before you travel.
