Tanzania mandatory insurance 2026: NIC for the mainland, ZIC for Zanzibar

§1Tanzania mandatory insurance: what is the difference between NIC and ZIC?

The visa is common to the whole of Tanzania. The entry insurance, by contrast, was created separately in each of the two territories, by two public insurers.

Zanzibar has required it since 1 October 2024, under a notice of the Zanzibari Ministry of Finance dated 5 August 2024. It applies to all non-resident foreigners entering by sea or by air, and is bought only from the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), on visitzanzibar.go.tz. Without it, entry may be refused.

The mainland has required it since 1 October 2026, under regulation GN 256 of 4 September 2026. The designated insurer is the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), on inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz.

Both cover the whole length of the stay, up to 92 days, according to the Zanzibari notice, the FCDO and the French ministry. That is a little more than the 90 days stay authorised by the tourist e-visa: a single certificate is enough for a tourist trip.

§2How much is the mandatory insurance, and what about children?

The adult fee is $44 for the NIC insurance and the ZIC insurance alike. The NIC charges the equivalent in shillings; the bank applies its own exchange rate.

Children follow the same scale in both territories: exempt under 3 years, $22 for ages 3–17 years. An exempt child still fills in their own Afya Msafiri form.

The calculator at the top of the page adds up the cost of the formalities for a trip, visas and insurance, according to the make-up of the family and the first point of entry.

Leaving during the stay, for example to Kenya before coming back, is covered by no official text consulted. The traveller should ask before departure whether the certificate remains valid, from the NIC (wecare.inbound@nicinsurance.co.tz) or the ZIC (inbound@zic.co.tz).

§3Safari and Zanzibar: do I need two insurances?

No. The rule is that of the first point of entry. The NIC, citing the public notice of the Tanzanian Ministry of Finance, sets it out thus: a visitor who first entered the mainland with NIC insurance can then go to Zanzibar without buying another, and a visitor who first entered Zanzibar with the ZIC can reach the mainland without buying the NIC. The FCDO and the French ministry describe the same rule.

Arrival at Kilimanjaro or Dar es Salaam, then Zanzibar: the NIC insurance covers the whole trip. The certificate is kept to hand, printed or on the phone, in case it is asked for on the island.

Direct international flight to Zanzibar, then safari: it is the ZIC insurance, valid afterwards on the mainland.

Connection in Dar es Salaam without passing immigration: no text covers this case. Logic points to the ZIC, since entry is at Zanzibar; the airline confirms where the passport will be stamped.

According to the FCDO, a ZIC insurance bought before 1 October 2026 is still accepted for a first entry to the mainland.

§4How to buy the NIC or ZIC insurance

The NIC insurance is bought on inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz in three stages, according to the NIC: entering personal and travel details, payment, receiving the certificate. The passport must be valid at least 6 months after entry.

The ZIC insurance is bought on visitzanzibar.go.tz, which issues a certificate to present on arrival. Contact: inbound@zic.co.tz, or the local freephone number 0800 008 005.

Both can also be bought at the point of entry, but the authorities recommend buying in advance. The average delay observed by the team is under an hour for the NIC and under an hour for the ZIC: the day before departure is enough.

Only these two addresses lead to the designated insurers, which issue the certificate directly.

§5Is my UK or European travel insurance enough?

No. The Tanzanian insurance is an entry condition tied to a designated insurer, required even with an existing personal policy, according to the FCDO. No bank card cover or annual policy exempts the traveller from it.

The reverse is also true. France Diplomatie states that it does not replace a private insurance contract and recommends additional cover for medical costs and repatriation. Its limits are not published, and care is limited outside Dar es Salaam, according to the FCDO.

For a high-altitude trek, and in particular Kilimanjaro, the private policy must cover the planned altitude and helicopter evacuation.

§6What does the mandatory Tanzanian insurance cover?

The NIC insurance covers, according to the insurer, medical care, medical transport, evacuation or repatriation, emergency dental care, certain risks to checked baggage, third-party liability, certain legal costs, theft of travel documents and repatriation of remains. It notably excludes certain pre-existing conditions, routine examinations and travel undertaken to receive treatment.

The ZIC insurance covers, according to the official 2024 notice, emergencies, including evacuation and repatriation.

Neither displays a limit on the official pages consulted. The general conditions handed over at purchase are authoritative: they are kept with the passport.