Tanzania Sets $44 Requirement for Foreign Visitors to Have Travel Insurance

Tanzania Sets $44 Requirement for Foreign Visitors to Have Travel Insurance
Tanzania will mandate that international tourists who meet the eligibility requirements purchase 92-day travel insurance for $44. View the regulations, exceptions, and effects on travel to Zanzibar.
According to new laws released by the government on September 4, 2026, foreign tourists entering Tanzania's mainland will now be required to get travel insurance, which will cost US$44.
The policy will be applicable to qualified travelers who arrive by land, air, or sea. Travelers do not yet need to purchase the new policy, though, as Tanzania has not yet disclosed when border enforcement will start.
Coverage of the $44 Tanzania Insurance
Multiple entries are permitted during the 92-day validity period of the required travel insurance coverage. Long-term visitors will require a new policy.
Minimum coverage consists of:
Emergency medical care
Emergency medical evacuation
Repatriation in an emergency
Baggage loss
The insurance can be purchased at the point of entry or prior to travel. An electronic or printed certificate must be provided by the insurer following payment.
If a traveler arrives without a proper insurance policy, they may not be allowed admission.

Who Will be Exempt?
The regulations exempt inhabitants of East African Community (EAC) partner states and Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states from the definition of a foreigner subject to the rule.
This language is important since the exemption applies to residents rather than everyone with an EAC or SADC passport.
Once enforcement begins, the new insurance is expected to become an extra entry requirement for Indian travelers, along with the necessary Tanzania visa or e-Visa.

Tanzania and Zanzibar Insurance Could Cost $88.
This is the most practical question for tourists planning a Tanzania safari and a trip to Zanzibar.
Zanzibar has had its own mandatory travel insurance since October 1, 2024. Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) policies cost $44 per adult and are valid for up to 92 days.
However, the new mainland legislation mandate that insurance be issued by Tanzania's National Insurance Corporation (NIC) or an insurer affiliated with NIC. No official mutual recognition agreement between mainland and Zanzibar schemes has been announced.
That means a mainland Tanzania + Zanzibar itinerary could require two $44 plans, totaling $88. The $88 amount has not been confirmed yet.
This split insurance model exemplifies a common issue in regional travel rules: requirements may appear comparable on paper but function as different systems at the border.
When will Tanzania begin enforcing the rule?
The regulations issued on September 4 provide the framework but do not specify a timetable for enforcement.
Travelers should wait until Tanzania announces:
The official starting date
The online purchasing method
Approved insurers and payment options
How will policies be verified at immigration?
Whether mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar insurance plans would be mutually recognized.
For Indian travelers contemplating a Kilimanjaro, Arusha, or safari vacation followed by Zanzibar, the final explanation could have a direct impact on the entire cost and pre-travel documentation.
Travunited Take:
We'd wait before purchasing anything. The $44 policy is not yet enforceable, and clarity on Zanzibar recognition could save travelers from incurring an additional $44.