From 1 October 2026, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is implementing Inbound Travel Insurance for foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania, subject to the applicable exemptions. The arrangement follows the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, Government Notice No. 256 of 4 September 2026, as communicated by the Ministry of Finance.

 

Under the arrangement, NIC Insurance and ZIC have been designated to provide Inbound Travel Insurance for Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar respectively.

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One of the practical question visitors may have is what happens when their itinerary includes both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

 

The Government's Public Notice provides clarity on this.

 

A foreign visitor whose first point of entry is Tanzania Mainland and who obtains the required Inbound Travel Insurance can subsequently travel to Zanzibar without purchasing another Inbound Travel Insurance, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

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Apply here if your first entry point is Tanzania mainland

https://inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz/apply

 

Similarly, a visitor whose first point of entry is Zanzibar and who has obtained valid cover there can subsequently travel to Tanzania Mainland without purchasing the mandatory insurance again.

 

Apply here if your first entry point is zanzibar

https://inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz/

 

This is particularly important for visitors combining experiences on both sides of the United Republic, for example, a safari in the Serengeti or Ngorongoro followed by a beach holiday in Zanzibar.

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know your first point of entry, obtain the appropriate cover and keep your insurance certificate accessible throughout your journey.

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What protection does a visitor receive?

 

The real value of insurance is felt when something unexpected happens. A visitor may fall ill, have an accident, lose checked-in luggage or need urgent assistance far from home. NIC’s Inbound Travel Insurance is designed to provide support in such moments, including medical treatment, medical transportation, evacuation or repatriation, emergency dental care and other covered medical needs, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

 

The protection goes beyond medical emergencies. It also covers specified risks involving checked-in luggage, personal liability, certain legal expenses and assistance when important travel documents are stolen. In the unfortunate event of death, the cover also provides for repatriation of the insured traveller’s remains, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

 

For us at NIC, these are more than insurance benefits. Behind every claim is a person sometimes frightened, unwell and far from family who needs practical help and reassurance.

 

That is the purpose of the cover: to be there when the unexpected happens, so that visitors can Travel with Peace of Mind.

 

Getting covered before travelling

 

We encourage visitors who require the cover to obtain it before travelling to Tanzania. The Ministry of Finance Public Notice similarly advises travellers to make the necessary arrangements in advance to facilitate entry procedures and avoid unnecessary inconvenience or delays upon arrival.