By GERPAT Solutions | Tanzania Business, Investment and Regulatory Compliance
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory insurance: Tanzania Mainland introduced mandatory inbound travel insurance for qualifying foreign visitors on 1 October 2026 under the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026.
- Designated insurers: NIC handles the Mainland inbound insurance scheme, while ZIC administers Zanzibar’s scheme.
- Standard premium: The prescribed Mainland premium is USD 44, or its equivalent in Tanzanian shillings, subject to applicable exemptions and official guidance.
- Coverage period: The Mainland policy provides coverage for up to 92 days from the date of arrival, subject to the applicable policy terms.
- Travel between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar: Official guidance outlines the applicable insurance arrangements based on the point of first entry and confirms that qualifying visitors should not be required to purchase duplicate cover for the same journey merely because their itinerary includes both destinations.
- Business compliance: Travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, corporate employers and other businesses serving foreign visitors should review their travel information and compliance procedures.
- Important distinction: Travel insurance does not replace a visa, residence permit, work permit or any other immigration authorisation.
1. Introduction
Foreign visitors travelling to Tanzania must now consider an additional entry requirement: mandatory inbound travel insurance.
The requirement was introduced for Mainland Tanzania through the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, published under Government Notice No. 256 of 2026 on 4 September 2026. The Ministry of Finance subsequently announced that implementation would begin on 1 October 2026.
The Mainland arrangement follows Zanzibar’s separate mandatory inbound travel insurance regime, which commenced on 1 October 2024.
The introduction of the Mainland framework has important implications for international travellers, tourism operators, foreign investors, expatriates and companies that regularly invite overseas personnel to Tanzania.
Although the insurance requirement is intended to provide emergency assistance to qualifying visitors, businesses must understand how it operates alongside existing immigration procedures and the separate administrative arrangements applicable to Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
This article explains the principal requirements, the role of the designated insurers, the applicable coverage period and the practical compliance measures that visitors and businesses should consider.
2. Legal Framework and Implementation
The Mainland requirement is based on the Insurance Act, Cap. 394, as amended by the Finance Act, 2025, together with the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026.
Section 134A, introduced through the Finance Act, 2025, establishes mandatory inbound travel insurance for qualifying foreigners entering Mainland Tanzania through land borders, seaports or airports. The statutory framework provides for a premium equivalent to USD 44 and emergency assistance for a maximum period of 92 days.
The Ministry of Finance designated the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) Tanzania Limited as the provider for the Mainland scheme and the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC) for Zanzibar.
The Mainland implementation date was 1 October 2026. Travellers should therefore establish which insurance requirements apply to their intended journey before departure rather than assuming that existing international medical or travel insurance automatically satisfies the entry requirement.
The relevant legal instruments and official notices should be consulted where an exemption or a particular travel arrangement is involved.
3. Who Is Required to Obtain Inbound Travel Insurance?
The Mainland Regulations apply to qualifying foreign visitors entering Tanzania Mainland by air, land or sea, subject to the applicable exemptions.
Visitors entering Mainland Tanzania
Foreign visitors within the scope of the Mainland framework are required to obtain the prescribed inbound travel insurance through the designated arrangement.
The requirement may affect tourists, business visitors, visiting directors, short-term consultants and other foreign nationals travelling to Tanzania for temporary purposes.
Travellers should not assume that the purpose of their visit, the possession of a visa or an existing overseas insurance policy automatically removes the obligation.
EAC and SADC-related exemptions
The Mainland framework provides an exemption relating to qualifying residents of East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) partner states.
Eligibility should be assessed against the precise wording of the Regulations and any applicable official clarification. Travellers should not assume that nationality alone establishes eligibility where the exemption is framed by residence.
Businesses arranging travel for employees or clients from EAC and SADC countries should verify the relevant circumstances and retain appropriate evidence where an exemption is relied upon.
Foreign nationals holding Tanzanian residence or work permits
A separate issue arises for foreign nationals who already reside or work in Tanzania and travel abroad before returning.
The treatment of these individuals should be assessed carefully against the relevant Mainland Regulations, applicable exemptions and official administrative guidance. A valid Tanzanian work permit or residence permit should not, by itself, be treated as conclusive evidence that the inbound insurance requirement does or does not apply.
Employers should seek clarification from the relevant authorities where the employee’s status or travel pattern creates uncertainty.
Visitors entering Zanzibar
Zanzibar introduced its own mandatory inbound travel insurance requirement on 1 October 2024.
The Zanzibar arrangement is administered by ZIC and has its own applicable requirements and exemptions. Travellers entering Zanzibar should therefore confirm the applicable rules rather than assuming that every exemption under the Mainland framework automatically applies to Zanzibar.
4. Premium, Coverage Period and Insurance Benefits
Standard premium
The Mainland statutory premium is USD 44 per qualifying visitor, payable in Tanzanian shillings at the applicable equivalent, subject to the governing framework.
The precise amount payable, any applicable exemptions, and any officially approved discounted categories should be confirmed through the designated insurer before payment. Travellers should rely on the current official payment platform rather than unofficial third-party quotations.
Duration of cover
The Mainland inbound insurance policy provides coverage for a maximum period of 92 days from the date of arrival, subject to the applicable policy terms.
Visitors planning a longer stay should arrange appropriate additional cover before their existing policy expires.
The 92-day insurance period must not be confused with the validity of a visa, residence permit, work permit or other immigration authorisation. Each document serves a different purpose and is governed by its own applicable conditions.
What does the insurance cover?
The statutory framework identifies emergency assistance, including medical emergencies, emergency evacuation and repatriation-related benefits, together with the prescribed baggage-loss protection.
The exact financial limits, exclusions, eligibility conditions and claims procedures depend on the applicable policy wording.
Visitors should review their insurance certificate and policy documents before travelling. In particular, they should establish what medical treatment is covered, how emergency assistance is accessed, what conditions apply to evacuation and repatriation, and how claims must be submitted.
Mandatory inbound travel insurance should not be interpreted as unlimited medical coverage or as a replacement for comprehensive health insurance where broader protection is required.
5. Travel Between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar
One of the most important practical issues concerns visitors whose itineraries include both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
The Ministry of Finance’s implementation guidance established the first-point-of-entry approach for determining the designated insurance provider:
- Mainland Tanzania first: The applicable Mainland inbound insurance is obtained through NIC.
- Zanzibar first: The applicable Zanzibar inbound insurance is obtained through ZIC.
The official guidance also addresses emergency assistance within the United Republic, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy obtained.
On 7 October 2026, ZIC published additional clarification concerning travel between the two destinations. The notice states that qualifying visitors should not be required to purchase two mandatory inbound insurance policies for the same journey merely because their itinerary includes both Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania.
It also addresses subsequent entry during the validity of an existing policy, confirming that a valid, unexpired ZIC policy within its 92-day coverage period remains applicable on subsequent entry into Mainland Tanzania or Zanzibar, subject to its terms and conditions.
Travellers should retain their insurance certificate and QR code for verification during their journey.
Practical recommendation: Before departure, visitors should confirm that their policy is valid for their itinerary and retain proof of cover. Where a policy was purchased before the Mainland implementation date, or the journey involves unusual entry arrangements, the traveller should consult the relevant insurer or immigration authority if further confirmation is needed.
Official application channels:
- Mainland Tanzania: https://inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz/
- Zanzibar: https://inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz/
6. Implications for Tourism Operators and Travel Businesses
The mandatory insurance framework creates new responsibilities for businesses that arrange or facilitate international travel.
Travel agents and tour operators
Travel agencies should review their booking procedures, client advisories and pre-departure communications to ensure that qualifying travellers are informed about the insurance requirement.
Where an itinerary includes Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, the agency should communicate the first-point-of-entry approach and explain the importance of retaining the applicable insurance certificate.
Businesses should also establish procedures for responding to clients who are uncertain about exemptions, existing policies or the validity of their insurance.
Hotels and hospitality businesses
Hotels and hospitality operators can help reduce travel-related disruption by including accurate insurance information in booking confirmations and pre-arrival communications.
Staff should direct travellers to official insurance channels and avoid providing definitive legal interpretations on exemptions or coverage questions outside their competence.
Airlines and other transport providers
Transport providers and other relevant travel intermediaries should monitor official implementation guidance and communicate requirements accurately within their respective responsibilities.
Clear, consistent information can help reduce confusion before departure and at entry points.
Contractual terms and customer responsibilities
Businesses should review their standard booking terms and service agreements to establish how responsibility for mandatory travel insurance is allocated between the business and the customer.
Contracts should accurately explain the customer’s obligations and any assistance the business undertakes to provide. They should not rely on broad liability exclusions as a substitute for compliance with applicable law or contractual duties.
7. Corporate Employers, Expatriates and Foreign Investors
The new regime is also relevant to businesses employing foreign nationals, engaging international consultants or arranging overseas visits by directors and technical personnel.
Companies should distinguish between immigration compliance and inbound insurance compliance. A person may hold the necessary immigration authorisation while still needing to satisfy a separate insurance requirement, depending on the circumstances and applicable exemptions.
Employers should consider the following measures:
- Review incoming travel: Identify foreign employees, consultants, directors and visitors expected to enter Tanzania.
- Assess exemption eligibility: Check the relevant legal provisions and official guidance rather than relying solely on nationality or employment status.
- Confirm insurance arrangements: Ensure that qualifying visitors obtain the appropriate cover through the designated channel.
- Retain documentation: Keep appropriate records of insurance certificates and relevant verification information, subject to applicable data-protection requirements.
- Coordinate with immigration processes: Ensure that insurance arrangements do not distract from separate obligations concerning visas, work permits, residence permits and other authorisations.
- Review repeat travel: Establish procedures for employees who make frequent international trips, including checks on the validity of existing policies and the applicability of any exemption.
Businesses should seek authoritative clarification where the treatment of existing residents, repeat entries or particular categories of foreign personnel is uncertain.
8. Insurance Compliance and Personal Data Protection
The insurance process may involve the collection and processing of personal information, travel details and information relevant to medical assistance or claims.
Businesses that collect or retain such information should assess their obligations under Tanzania’s Personal Data Protection Act and other applicable requirements.
Practical safeguards include limiting access to insurance records, collecting only information necessary for a legitimate purpose, using appropriate security measures and following applicable retention and disclosure rules.
Travel intermediaries should also be cautious about transmitting travellers’ passport details, insurance certificates or other personal information through unsecured channels.
9. Outstanding Compliance Questions
Although official notices have clarified several aspects of implementation, certain circumstances may still require case-specific assessment or further authoritative guidance.
These include:
- The treatment of foreign nationals holding Tanzanian residence or work permits who leave and subsequently re-enter the country.
- The evidence required to establish eligibility for an applicable exemption.
- The relationship between existing international travel insurance and the designated mandatory inbound policy.
- The practical handling of system outages, unsuccessful payments or verification difficulties at entry points.
- The application of coverage limits, exclusions and claims procedures in particular emergencies.
- The insurance arrangements applicable to visitors undertaking longer stays or whose immigration authorisation extends beyond the 92-day insurance period.
The publication of additional guidance or changes to official administrative procedures may affect the practical application of these requirements. Travellers and businesses should therefore check current official notices before making decisions based on an earlier interpretation.
10. Practical Checklist for Foreign Visitors
Before travelling to Tanzania, qualifying foreign visitors should:
- Confirm whether the Mainland or Zanzibar insurance framework applies to their entry arrangements.
- Verify whether an exemption is available and establish the evidence required.
- Obtain the appropriate insurance through the official designated channel.
- Check the policy’s commencement date, expiry date and applicable coverage period.
- Review the policy terms, exclusions, emergency assistance procedures and financial limits.
- Save an electronic copy of the insurance certificate and QR code, and retain an accessible backup.
- Confirm that insurance arrangements remain valid for the intended itinerary, including travel between Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
- Arrange additional appropriate coverage if the intended stay extends beyond the policy’s validity.
- Ensure that all visa, work permit, residence permit and other immigration requirements are independently satisfied.
11. Conclusion
The introduction of mandatory inbound travel insurance in Mainland Tanzania marks an important regulatory development for international travel and tourism. Together with Zanzibar’s existing regime, it makes insurance compliance a consideration for qualifying foreign visitors and the businesses that facilitate their travel.
For travellers, the priority is to establish the applicable requirements, obtain valid cover and retain the relevant documentation. For employers, travel agencies, tour operators and hospitality businesses, the priority is to provide accurate information, review internal procedures and address uncertainty before it disrupts a journey.
The most effective approach is to integrate insurance checks into existing travel and compliance processes while keeping them distinct from immigration obligations.
GERPAT Solutions assists businesses and investors with regulatory information, business advisory, licensing coordination and corporate compliance in Tanzania and Zanzibar. Organisations requiring support in reviewing their procedures for incoming foreign personnel or international business visitors should obtain advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an official interpretation of the applicable legislation. The application of the insurance requirement depends on the relevant legal instruments, official guidance, individual circumstances and policy terms. Readers should consult the relevant authorities, designated insurers or appropriately qualified professionals before acting on matters requiring a definitive legal determination.
About GERPAT Solutions
GERPAT Solutions is a Tanzania and Zanzibar business advisory and corporate consulting firm supporting foreign investors and local businesses with business formation, intellectual property coordination, licensing and regulatory compliance. The firm helps clients understand applicable administrative requirements and coordinate practical compliance steps in connection with their business activities in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Kindly reach out to our team directly at www.gerpatsolutions.co.tz info@gerpatsolutions.co.tz, Mob: +255 742 826 955