MWE Correspondent
Tanzania has introduced mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania through land borders, seaports and airports, under new regulations gazetted by the government.
The requirement is contained in the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, issued through Government Notice No. 256, published on September 4, 2026.
Under the regulations, foreigners covered by the new requirement must hold a valid inbound travel insurance policy when entering Mainland Tanzania. The policy can be purchased before travelling or at the point of entry.
A visitor who arrives without the required insurance may be denied entry into Mainland Tanzania. Once the premium has been paid, the insurer is required to issue the traveller with an insurance certificate and policy, either in hard copy or electronic form.
The insurance premium has been set at the equivalent of US$44, payable in Tanzanian shillings through the payment system designated by the inbound travel insurer. The policy is valid for a maximum of 92 days from the date of arrival and allows multiple entries into Mainland Tanzania during that period.
Visitors who remain in the country beyond the 92-day validity period will be required to obtain a new policy.
However, the regulations exempt residents of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states from the mandatory insurance requirement.
The mandatory insurance is designed to provide cover for key travel-related emergencies, including emergency medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, emergency repatriation and loss of luggage.
The specific limits of cover and benefits available to travellers will be determined by the terms and conditions of the individual insurance policy.
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The insurance will be provided by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) or other registered insurance companies operating in partnership with NIC. The regulations also require insurers to establish systems for verifying premium payments and integrating insurance verification with relevant travel authorities.
The new framework follows the introduction of a similar mandatory inbound travel insurance scheme in Zanzibar in 2024, which also carries a US$44 premium and provides cover for up to 92 days.
While the regulations have now been gazetted, reports indicate that the government had not specified a separate enforcement or rollout date as of mid-September 2026.
The new requirement places inbound travel insurance among the entry requirements for foreign visitors covered by the regulations, while EAC and SADC residents remain exempt.
