Tanzania has announced the introduction of a $44 forced travel insurance premium for all expat residents entering the country, regardless of the purpose of the visit. This new policy, part of the 2025/2026 fiscal budget, is intended to compensate travelers for medical emergencies, accidents, luggage issues and other unexpected incidents during their stay. Once issued, the non-refundable policy will remain in effect for 62 days. Citizens of East African Communities (EAC) members are exempt, but authorities have shown that citizens of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) could also be excluded due to pending confirmation.
The insurance scheme will be administered through the National Insurance Company (NIC) and appointed agents. However, tourism operators have raised concerns that additional costs could affect the competitiveness of their destinations, especially since many international tourists already have private insurance. The government has yet to confirm whether a digital purchasing platform will be offered and is clearly sought to promote the industry to avoid delays and disruptions at the entrance. The move follows closely with similar policies introduced in Zanzibar in October 2024, further suggesting a move towards standardized visitor protection measures in Tanzania's tourism sector.
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Source: Business Insider Africa
