Tanzania has introduced mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania, with the cover costing about KSh5,700 ($44) and valid for up to 92 days.
The new requirement was introduced through the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026, issued through a Government Notice.
The regulations apply to foreigners entering mainland Tanzania by air, road or sea.
However, the requirement does not apply to citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states, including Kenyans. Citizens of Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are also exempt.
Foreign visitors covered by the new rules will be required to have a valid inbound travel insurance policy before entering the country.
The policy can either be purchased before travelling or at a designated point of entry.
People coming in without the appropriate insurance cover shall not be allowed access to Tanzania.
This insurance cover will be valid for up to 92 days from the day of entry and will give people the opportunity to make various entries into Tanzania within this period of time.
For people planning to stay in the country beyond 92 days, they will have to obtain another insurance cover.
The insurance cover will be issued by the National Insurance Corporation of Tanzania or any other insurance company that has an agreement with NIC.
This insurance cover will cover emergency medical care, emergency medical transportation, emergency repatriation and loss of luggage.
The new rules come as Tanzania moves to introduce the inbound travel insurance scheme across the mainland.
Tanzania had already introduced a separate mandatory insurance requirement for foreign visitors travelling to Zanzibar in October 2024.
The mainland requirement also comes weeks after Kenya introduced its own mandatory inbound travel health insurance framework for foreign visitors.
Kenya’s policy, introduced in July 2026, required non-Kenyans staying in the country for less than 12 months to have insurance with a minimum cumulative benefit limit of KSh6.48 million ($50,000).
The Kenyan cover included minimum benefits of KSh2.59 million ($20,000) for medical expenses, KSh3.24 million ($25,000) for emergency medical transportation, KSh38,886 ($300) for prescribed medicines and KSh129,620 ($1,000) for mental illness treatment.
However, implementation of Kenya’s requirement was suspended by the High Court in August after two petitioners challenged the policy.
Justice Francis Rayola Olel issued interim orders stopping its implementation pending the hearing and determination of the case.
