Mandatory Travel Insurance announcement 04/July/25

PUBLIC NOTICE from MINISTRY OF FINANCE

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, through the Insurance Act, Chapter 394, has introduced travel insurance for foreign nationals entering Mainland Tanzania. Visitors will be required to pay an insurance fee equivalent to US$44 US dollars in Tanzanian shillings.

The purpose of this insurance is to cover emergency medical treatment for visitors while in the country, loss of luggage, rescue services, and repatriation of the visitor to their home country in case of an emergency.

The implementation of this insurance for foreign nationals entering the country will officially begin once the Regulations for managing travel insurance are published in the Government Gazette. The public will be informed once this process is complete.

Issued by: Benny Mwaipaja, Head of Government Communications Unit. Ministry of Finance, 4th July 2025

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FAQs

• Date of implementation : Not clarified, but imminent. Please await confirmation.

• Method of payment : Not clarified, but we anticipate an online portal will be created longer term, with payment-on-arrival used at first (with cash payment to be made in Tanzanian shillings - and we recognise that this is in itself confusing)

• Cross-over with Zanzibar Mandatory Travel Insurance ; Not clarified, please await information

Whilst Tim Henshall (Head of Tourism Marketing in the UIK) is attempting to handle all enquiries on this subject, unfortunately he knows no more than is stated above. Tim will try to advise you as soon as further information is available.

Also note that lobbying from Tanzania's private sector and other areas of Tanzanian government continues.