Is Travel Insurance Mandatory in Tanzania? Here’s What Tourists Need to Know.

Mandatory travel insurance in Tanzania… this is one topic that’s been buzzing lately. I’ve met some tourists who’ve been grumbling about it, saying it’s just another unnecessary cost. But is it?

I reckon the frustration probably comes down to two things: either the information out there isn’t clear, or let’s be honest, some of us just can’t be bothered to read the fine print.

Let’s start with what we already know.

Zanzibar’s Travel Insurance Policy

I won’t dwell too much on the islands. However, if you are not familiar yet, Zanzibar’s policy was introduced last year. Most people seem to have come to terms with it, even if a few are still a bit salty. But hey, every country has its laws, and laws are laws!

In case you missed the memo, here’s a quick summary:

• The Zanzibar policy requires every tourist to purchase mandatory travel insurance.
• It costs USD 44 per adult, and USD 22 per child aged 3 to 17.
• Infants (0 to 2 years) are exempt.
• Insurance must be purchased through the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), either online or upon arrival.

Now, on to the newly introduced mainland travel insurance and I say “introduced” loosely, because it hasn’t been implemented yet. We’re still waiting for it to be gazetted, as per government procedure. Until then, nothing is official.

But with all the questions people have been firing at me as though I’m the Minister’s PA, I decided to dig a little deeper.

So, What Are the Facts (So Far)?

• Insurance will be mandatory for all foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania, except citizens of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states.
• The premium is set at USD 44, payable upon entry.
• The insurance will cover emergencies, including:
  • Medical care
  • Loss of luggage
  • Rescue services
  • Repatriation costs
• Once issued, the non-refundable policy is valid for 92 days from the date of arrival.

Sounds straightforward, right?

Well, I had a few questions of my own (of course I did).

One that popped into my mind: If a traveller already has insurance from their home country, would they still need to buy this?

I tried reaching out to the authorities, but it was crickets. Luckily, an anonymous source gave me the lowdown.

Apparently, yes, even if you’ve already got travel or life insurance from your home country, you’ll still need to buy an inbound insurance cover, issued by either the National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania (NIC) or a provider that’s partnered with NIC. No exceptions (unless you’re an EAC or SADC).

So, Is It Worth It?

Honestly, travel insurance is one of those necessary evils. You hate paying for it, but you’re glad it’s there when things go sideways. Medical emergency, lost baggage, or last-minute evacuations aren’t exactly cheap, and having that safety net can be a game-changer.

What Next?

As for the full details of the mainland policy, we’ll just have to wait until official sign-off. Once it’s gazetted, we’ll get to peek properly at the policy wording and understand the fine print (yes, that same fine print we’re always too lazy to read!).