Mandatory Tanzania Insurance 2026:

NIC, cost and travel insurance

Dal October 1, 2026 a new one has come into force Mandatory Tanzania insurance for foreign travelers entering mainland Tanzania.

The new coverage is called Inbound Travel Insurance and is managed by National Insurance Corporation (NIC).

If you are organizing a safari in Tanzania, a trip to Zanzibar or a combination itinerary Tanzania e Zanzibar, there is therefore a new formality to know before departure.

In this guide you will find all the updated information on NIC Tanzania: who should buy it, how much it costs, how long it lasts, what it covers, how to buy it and what insurance is needed when the trip includes both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Update: the information reported in this article refers to the regulations and official indications available from 1 October 2026. Costs, conditions and procedures may be modified by the Tanzanian authorities.

Compulsory Tanzania insurance: what is NIC?

The NIC – National Insurance Corporation is the national insurance company of Tanzania.

Dal October 1, 2026, Tanzania introduced the Inbound Travel Insurance, a new mandatory cover for foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania.

The obligation concerns entries made through:

• airports;
• ports;
• land borders.

For those arriving from Italy for a safari in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Nyerere or for a trip that also includes Zanzibar, the new insurance must therefore be included among the formalities to be completed before departure.

How much does the NIC Tanzania cost?

The currently indicated cost for the NIC Tanzania is:

44 USD per persona

The coverage can have a maximum duration of 92 days, according to the dates and conditions reported in the insurance certificate.

Since this is a very recent regulation, we always recommend checking the cost and updated conditions directly on the official portal before purchasing the policy.

Who needs to purchase compulsory Tanzania insurance?

The new insurance is scheduled for i foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania.

Travelers arriving via:

• airport;
• porto;
• land border.

The legislation provides for some exemptions for specific categories and for citizens/residents of countries belonging to the regional organizations indicated by Tanzania.

For an Italian tourist who arrives in the country for a holiday or for a safari in Tanzania, the NIC therefore represents one of the formalities to be verified before departure.

NIC or ZIC: which insurance should I have?

This is one of the most important questions for those who organize a trip Tanzania and Zanzibar.

The basic rule is simple:

You need to consider your first entry point

If the first entry takes place in the Mainland Tanzania, compulsory insurance is the NIC.

However, if the first entry occurs at Zanzibar, compulsory insurance is the ZIC – Zanzibar Insurance Corporation.

Arrival in Kilimanjaro and then Zanzibar

If your itinerary is:

Italy → Kilimanjaro → safari → Zanzibar → Italy

the first entry takes place in mainland Tanzania.

In this case you must purchase the:

NIC

You can then continue your journey to Zanzibar without purchasing a second compulsory insurance, according to the indications currently available.

Arrival in Zanzibar and then safari

If instead the trip is:

Italy → Zanzibar → safari in Tanzania → Italy

the first entry takes place in Zanzibar.

In this case you must purchase the:

say

You can then continue to mainland Tanzania according to the coverage conditions.

I DON'T SAY: the difference in short

Before purchasing the policy, always check where you first enter the country.

What does the NIC Tanzania cover?

The NIC Tanzania was introduced to provide assistance to foreign visitors during their stay.

The benefits indicated include, according to the terms and conditions of the policy:

• medical emergencies;
• medical expenses related to emergencies;
• emergency medical evacuation;
• repatriation;
• baggage assistance.

It is important to remember that actual coverage depends on conditions, limits and maximums of the policy.

For this reason it is always advisable to read the insurance certificate carefully before departure.

Does NIC replace Tanzania travel insurance?

No.

This is one of the most important aspects to clarify.

The NIC is a mandatory coverage required for entry into mainland Tanzania.

A normal one Tanzania travel insurance it can instead offer further guarantees, depending on the product chosen, for example:

• cancellation of the trip;
• trip interruption;
• additional medical expenses;
• assistance during the stay;
• certain expenses related to delays or inconveniences;
• additional guarantees on baggage.

Mandatory NIC and travel insurance: are they the same thing?

No.

NIC: insurance requirement for entry into mainland Tanzania.

Tanzania travel insurance: additional private coverage that can protect the traveler from further travel-related risks, according to the conditions of the policy.

For a journey that includes international flights, safaris, transfers, lodges and Zanzibar, evaluating broader insurance coverage may be particularly important.

How to buy NIC Tanzania?

The NIC Tanzania it can be purchased through the official portal dedicated to Inbound Travel Insurance.

During the procedure, traveler and trip data are requested.

It is important to enter the data exactly as shown on your passport, paying particular attention to the document number and dates.

Once payment is completed, the coverage certificate is issued.

Where to buy the NIC?

The online procedure is available on the official portal of the National Insurance Corporation:

inbound.nicinsurance.co.tz

You can also check the status of your policy through the online system set up by the NIC.

Our advice is to purchase coverage before departure, keeping the certificate on your phone and possibly also an offline copy.

What documents are needed to purchase the NIC?

To purchase the NIC Tanzania we mainly need traveler and trip data.

It is therefore necessary to have available:

• passport;
• travel dates;
• personal data;
• information relating to your stay.

Check all the data carefully before confirming the purchase.

How long does the NIC Tanzania last?

The coverage has a maximum duration of 92 days.

The actual duration is that indicated in the insurance certificate.

If the trip extends beyond the initially insured period, it is necessary to check with the NIC the procedures for a possible extension.

Can I purchase the NIC upon arrival in Tanzania?

Official information from the NIC indicates the possibility of purchasing coverage also at entry points.

For those traveling for tourism, however, we recommend complete the procedure before departure.

Arriving in Tanzania with all the documentation ready allows you to avoid dealing with an additional formality immediately after a long trip.

This is especially useful for those landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport and must begin his safari immediately.

I already have health insurance: do I still have to apply for the NIC?

Already have your own health insurance or one Tanzania travel insurance it does not automatically mean you are exempt from the NIC.

Inbound Travel Insurance is in fact a specific coverage provided by Tanzanian legislation for foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania.

It is therefore important to distinguish between:

compulsory insurance for entry

e

private travel insurance.

The two covers can have different functions.

NIC Tanzania and safari: what to know before leaving

And safari in Tanzania requires some organization.

Between international flights, possible internal flights, transfers, lodges, entrances to the parks and, for many travellers, a few days at the seaside in Zanzibar, there are various aspects to check before departure.

The new compulsory insurance is therefore added to the normal travel checklist.

Before leaving it is a good idea to check:

• passport;
• visa, when required;
• compulsory insurance;
• possible private travel insurance;
• documentation requested by the authorities;
• reservations and travel documents.

Tanzania and Zanzibar: pay attention to the difference between NIC and ZIC

One of the most common mistakes is thinking that Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar have the same insurance procedure.

For the first entry, however, we must distinguish:

Entry into mainland Tanzania → NIC

Entry to Zanzibar → ZIC

For those who book an itinerary trip + Zanzibar, knowing this difference is essential.

Mama Dunia Travel: Tanzania lived on site

Knowing a destination also means knowing what happens before, during and after the trip.

Mama Dunia Travel was born from a direct knowledge of Tanzania and Zanzibar, built through the years spent in the area and through a network of local collaborations.

Our presence in Tanzania allows us to closely follow the organization of trips and maintain direct contact with the local reality.

We organize:

• private safaris in Tanzania;
• group travel;
• tailor-made tours;
• Tanzania and Zanzibar itineraries;
• selected local experiences.

For us, knowing the destination doesn't just mean knowing which parks to visit.

It also means knowing how to actually organize a trip, what aspects to check before departure and what information may be important for those arriving in Tanzania for the first time.

The new one Mandatory Tanzania insurance is precisely among this information.

FAQ – Mandatory Tanzania insurance

Is the NIC mandatory to enter Tanzania?

Yes. From October 1, 2026 Inbound Travel Insurance is mandatory for foreign visitors entering mainland Tanzania, except for exemptions provided by law.

How much does the NIC Tanzania cost?

The currently indicated cost is 44 USD per persona.

How long does the NIC last?

The coverage can have a maximum duration of 92 days, according to the conditions and dates indicated on the certificate.

If I go on safari in Tanzania and then go to Zanzibar, do I have to buy two insurances?

If your first entry is into mainland Tanzania and you have purchased the NIC, you don't have to buy a second one compulsory health insurance Zanzibar, according to the indications currently available.

What if I arrive in Zanzibar first and then do the safari?

If the first entry is Zanzibar, the compulsory insurance is there say.

Does my travel insurance replace the NIC?

No, you shouldn't automatically consider it normal Tanzania travel insurance as a replacement for the NIC. These are different coverages.

Can I buy the NIC at the airport?

The NIC indicates the possibility of purchasing coverage at entry points, but it is advisable to complete the procedure before departure.

Does the NIC also apply in Zanzibar?

For those who first enter mainland Tanzania and then move to Zanzibar, a second compulsory insurance is not provided according to the indications currently available. The conditions of the coverage purchased remain valid.

Mandatory Tanzania insurance: what to remember

If you are traveling to Tanzania after 1 October 2026, keep these points in mind:

1. NIC is the compulsory insurance for those entering mainland Tanzania.

2. The currently listed cost is $44 per person.

3. Coverage lasts a maximum of 92 days.

4. If you enter mainland Tanzania first and then go to Zanzibar, you need to purchase the NIC.

5. If you enter Zanzibar first and then continue to mainland Tanzania, you must purchase the ZIC.

6. NIC does not necessarily replace comprehensive Tanzania travel insurance.

Official sources and updates

The legislation is recent and costs, conditions and procedures can be modified by the competent authorities.

Before departure, always check the updated information on the official portals:

• National Insurance Corporation – NIC
• Zanzibar Insurance Corporation – ZIC
• Travel safely

Are you planning a trip to Tanzania?

If you're thinking about a safari in Tanzania, a group trip, a private tour or a combination itinerary Tanzania e Zanzibar, Mama Dunia Travel can help you organize your trip directly to your destination.

We are a tour operator specialized in Tanzania and Zanzibar, with local presence in Tanzania and direct knowledge of the area.

From large parks to local experiences, we build itineraries designed to get to know Tanzania through safari, nature, culture and the people who live it every day.

Discover our trips to Tanzania and Zanzibar.