Tanzania's mandatory travel insurance
From 1 October 2026 every foreign visitor entering Tanzania needs a government inbound travel insurance policy, bought online before you fly or at the airport on arrival. Zanzibar has asked for it since 1 October 2024; the mainland joins on 1 October 2026. Here is what it is, who it applies to, and what we do about it for you.
Buy from the corporation of your first airport
Two corporations sell the same cover. The one you use depends only on where you first enter the country. One policy then covers the whole United Republic, both halves of a bush and beach trip, for 92 days.
Zanzibar Insurance Corporation
Every one of our Zanzibar and bush and beach trips starts here. The portal takes a few minutes per traveller and emails a certificate with a QR code.
Buy from ZIC inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tzNational Insurance Corporation of Tanzania
Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam and the land borders. Our mainland safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs begin here, and so does a safari that ends on the beach.
Buy from NIC inbound.nicinsurance.co.tzNo double insurance, no duplicate payment. A visitor is not asked to buy two policies because the itinerary includes both Zanzibar and the mainland. A ZIC policy bought and fully paid before 1 October 2026 stays valid for a journey that begins on the mainland; nobody has to buy another or cancel it. Keep the certificate or QR code for verification when moving between the two.
A basic emergency cover
- Emergency medical treatment
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Emergency repatriation
- Loss or theft of baggage
The limits and exclusions are the corporations' own and are printed on the policy. It is a minimum the government requires, not a replacement for your own travel insurance, which we still ask every guest to carry.
Most visitors are not
- Tanzanian citizens and residents, including holders of work and residence permits
- Citizens of East African Community and Southern African Development Community states
- Diplomats and passengers in transit who do not enter the country
- Children under 3, who travel free; children from 3 to 17 pay half
Ten minutes, the week before you fly
- 1Open the portal for your first airport
Landing in Zanzibar, use ZIC. Landing at Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam or a land border, use NIC. Your proposal from us names the right one.
- 2Enter each traveller
Passport number, nationality, date of birth, arrival date and an email address. One form per person, including children.
- 3Pay by card
$44 per adult and $22 per child aged 3 to 17, in US dollars or the shilling equivalent. Under 3 is free.
- 4Save the certificate
It arrives by email with a QR code. Keep it on your phone and print one copy; it is checked with your visa at immigration, and again if you cross between Zanzibar and the mainland.
It is on our checklist, not only yours
- Your proposal names the portal that applies to your route and the date to buy by
- Your final documents repeat it, with the link, next to the visa and yellow fever notes
- We ask for the certificate before you fly and keep a copy in your travel file, so a lost phone is not a problem at the ferry or the airstrip
- If anything changes in the rules we update this page; the date at the top is the last check
What guests ask
My trip has both a safari and Zanzibar. Do I buy two policies?
No. One policy covers the whole United Republic of Tanzania for 92 days. Buy from the corporation of the airport you land at first and keep the certificate for the domestic flight or ferry; ZIC confirmed in writing on 28 September 2026 that nobody is asked to buy or pay twice for the same journey.
I bought ZIC insurance before 1 October 2026 but my trip starts on the mainland. Is it still valid?
Yes. ZIC's notice says a policy bought and fully paid before 1 October 2026 stays valid for a journey that begins on the mainland, without a second policy or a cancellation. Carry the certificate or QR code.
Is this instead of my own travel insurance?
No. It is a basic emergency cover with its own limits and exclusions, set by ZIC and NIC. Keep your own comprehensive policy for cancellation, higher medical limits, flying doctor cover on safari and anything above 3,000 metres on Kilimanjaro.
Is it included in the trip price?
No, because it is bought in your own name against your own passport. Every trip on this site lists it under what is not included, and we remind you with your final documents.
Can I buy it on arrival?
Yes, both corporations sell it at the ports of entry and take cards. It means a second queue after a long flight, so we suggest buying it in the week before you travel.
Not sure which portal is yours, or travelling on an unusual passport? Ask, it is a one line answer.
We reply within 4 working hours. No deposit to ask.Sources: the ZIC public notice of 28 September 2026, and the ZIC and NIC portals. The portals are the final word; rules can change. See also the packing guide and the FAQ.