Foreign non-residents visiting Tanzania will now be required to pay a mandatory travel insurance fee of $44 upon entry, as part of a new government policy unveiled in the country’s 2025/2026 fiscal budget.
The policy, which applies to all international visitors regardless of the purpose of travel — including tourists, business travellers and volunteers — was announced in Dodoma by Mwigulu Nchemba, Tanzania’s finance minister during a budget presentation to the National Assembly.
“This initiative will ensure that foreigners are protected during their stay in the country, while also reducing the burden on the public health system”, Nchemba said.
The insurance scheme is expected to be implemented nationwide and will offer coverage for a duration of 62 days (roughly two months). It is non-refundable and compulsory.
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The new directive will not apply to citizens of East African Community (EAC) member states, and officials have hinted that nationals from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries may also be exempt — although that detail has yet to be formally confirmed.
Authorities say the insurance scheme will likely be administered by the state-run National Insurance Company (NIC) and its authorised agents. It is intended to offer a financial safety net for visitors in the event of medical emergencies, accidents, lost baggage, or other unexpected situations during their stay in the country.
“The insurance is meant to ensure visitors have access to assistance when the unexpected happens,” a senior official in the Ministry of Finance told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
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Tourism sector raises alarm
While the government maintains the move is rooted in safeguarding visitor welfare, the announcement has sparked concern within Tanzania’s tourism sector — particularly in the northern tourism hub of Arusha. Tour operators say many travellers already purchase comprehensive travel insurance in their home countries, and imposing an additional local policy may deter some from choosing Tanzania as a destination.
“Forcing tourists to buy an extra policy they may not need creates unnecessary duplication and may make us less competitive compared to neighbouring destinations,” said one Arusha-based operator.
Industry stakeholders are also pressing for clarity on how the policy will be implemented, including whether a dedicated online platform will be introduced to facilitate advance purchases and avoid congestion at ports of entry. There are growing fears that last-minute requirements could result in confusion or delays at airports and border crossings.
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A growing trend in the region
Tanzania’s move follows a similar decision made by Zanzibar in October 2024, which introduced its own mandatory travel insurance scheme for visitors to the semi-autonomous archipelago. Under that policy, adult visitors are charged $44, children aged 3 to 17 are charged $22, while infants under the age of 3 are exempt. The Zanzibar policy is administered by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
Tanzania’s nationwide rollout appears to mirror the structure of the Zanzibar model, though it remains unclear if the mainland and island schemes will be harmonised.
As details of the new policy continue to emerge, tourism industry players and international travel associations are expected to monitor its impact closely, particularly in a region where competition for post-pandemic tourism recovery remains fierce.
