Entry into Tanzania and Zanzibar: Mandatory inbound travel insurance
The regulations at a glance
Both the government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the government of Zanzibar require foreign visitors to buy government-issued inbound travel insurance. However, the requirements were introduced on different dates, and the rules vary depending on your destination.
- Zanzibar (in effect since 1 October 2024): All foreign visitors to Zanzibar must purchase the official inbound travel insurance issued by the Zanzibar government before entering Zanzibar.
- Tanzania mainland (effective 1 October 2026): According to the government announcement dated 4 September 2026, foreign visitors must also provide proof of the required inbound travel insurance when entering mainland Tanzania from 1 October 2026.
What insurance do you need for your trip?
Choosing the right insurance depends on your exact travel itinerary:
- Travelling to Zanzibar only: You need Zanzibar’s official inbound travel insurance, which you can apply for through the official Visit Zanzibar portal.
- Travelling to mainland Tanzania only: You need the required inbound travel insurance for mainland Tanzania, which you can apply for through the official Tanzanian government portal.
- Combining mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar: If your trip includes both destinations, you currently only need one of the two insurance policies. Which policy you need generally depends on your first point of entry into Tanzania.
Costs, validity and emergency protection
Both inbound travel insurance policies have the same cost, validity period and scope of cover. The fee is USD 44 per person, and the insurance is valid for up to 92 days from the date of entry, including multiple entries. The mandatory insurance mainly covers medical emergencies during your stay, emergency evacuations and compensation for lost luggage.
The mandatory state-provided insurance does not replace your private international health insurance or trip cancellation insurance. It serves solely as an official entry requirement at your destination. We strongly recommend that you still take out comprehensive private travel insurance.
Step-by-step: How to apply for your insurance
We strongly recommend arranging your travel insurance online before departure. Although it may be possible to apply at certain border crossings, doing so can lead to long waiting times at immigration control.
Visit the relevant portal for your trip: Visit Zanzibar for Zanzibar or The United Republic of Tanzania for mainland Tanzania. You can select the language you understand from the language menu at the top of the portal. Enter your details and pay the USD 44 fee per person.
Once your application is complete, print your insurance confirmation and keep it, together with the assigned verification code, among your travel documents in your hand luggage. This way, you can present it easily if requested at immigration.
Please note that insurance is a requirement for entry into Zanzibar. If proof of insurance cannot be provided, entry may be refused.
The resulting costs are borne by the traveler himself.
As of October 14, 2026
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