Tanzania requires extra travel insurance: mainland and Zanzibar rules explained

Mandatory local insurance now also applies to mainland Tanzania

Heading to Tanzania for a safari, Kilimanjaro or a beach holiday on Zanzibar? Since 1 October 2026, foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania must have local travel insurance. Zanzibar has had its own requirement since 1 October 2024. A travel insurance policy from the Netherlands does not replace the mandatory local cover.

Which policy do you need?

For the mainland, the designated provider is National Insurance Corporation (NIC). The premium is the Tanzanian-shilling equivalent of US$44. Cover lasts up to 92 days and permits multiple entries during the policy’s validity. Arrange it before departure where possible through the official NIC portal and keep your insurance certificate.

When entering through Zanzibar, the mandatory policy is provided by Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC). The adult premium is also US$44. Apply through the official Zanzibar portal.

Combining a safari and Zanzibar: one valid policy

According to Tanzania Tourism UK’s current guidance, your first point of entry determines which policy you need. If you enter through the mainland first, a valid NIC policy also covers the requirement when continuing to Zanzibar. If you enter through Zanzibar first, a valid ZIC policy is also accepted when continuing to the mainland. A combined trip therefore does not automatically require two local policies. Keep the certificate with you throughout your trip.

Check your complete itinerary: where will you first pass through Tanzanian immigration? An intermediate landing is not the same as a connection or entry into the country. If the route is unclear, ask your airline to confirm where immigration takes place before departure.

Flying to Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro

Schiphol, Brussels, Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn are departure options for travellers based in the Netherlands. The table gives examples of airlines and routes to Zanzibar (ZNZ), Dar es Salaam (DAR) and Kilimanjaro (JRO).

Direct does not always mean non-stop. A flight without a connection may still land en route without a change of aircraft. This occurs on routes to Tanzania, including return flights. A connection means changing flights; the flight after Amsterdam, Doha or Istanbul may also include an intermediate stop. Check your complete itinerary in both directions before booking. Availability and routings depend on your travel dates; these are examples, not a complete timetable.

Keep your own travel insurance

The mandatory local policy is an additional entry requirement, not a reason to cancel your own travel insurance. The Dutch foreign ministry’s NederlandWereldwijd service advises travellers to arrange good travel insurance. Check with your insurer that medical treatment, repatriation and any safari or mountaineering activities are sufficiently covered. Consult the local policy’s terms for its limits and exclusions.

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