The government of Tanzania has tightened the entry requirements for Zanzibar. From 1 October 2024 onwards, travellers who want to visit the African island must purchase travel insurance next to applying for a Tanzania visa. Read on to find out more about the upcoming introduction of the mandatory insurance.
Current entry requirements for Tanzania
Currently, tourists only need a valid passport and a visa to travel to Zanzibar or mainland Tanzania. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the arrival in Tanzania, and it must contain at least one empty page. You can apply for the Tanzania visa easily by filling in a digital application form and uploading a few documents. An e-visa allows travellers to stay in Tanzania or on Zanzibar for a period of up to 90 days.
Travel insurance becomes mandatory on 1 October
From October 2024 onwards, travellers must purchase travel insurance if they want to visit the island of Zanzibar, in addition to holding a visa. The insurance is mandatory for travellers arriving on Zanzibar by plane or (cruise-)ship, but it is not required for travellers who only visit mainland Tanzania. The insurance has to be purchased at Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), an insurance service by the government of Tanzania. It does not matter whether a traveller already has a travel insurance. The requirement to purchase insurance at ZIC also applies to individuals who already have travel insurance or international medical insurance.
Get your insurance online
You can purchase the insurance from 1 September 2024 online, using a special website by the authorities of Tanzania. It costs USD 44 per person. After paying the cost, you receive an e-mail containing the insurance policy and a QR code, which you have to show once you arrive on the island. The insurance covers medical costs, as well as costs for other unforeseen events, including evacuations, repatriations, baggage loss and legal assistance for a period of 92 days. The insurance covers medical costs of up to USD 50,000 and costs for baggage loss of up to USD 400. Legal costs are covered for a maximum of USD 2,000 and costs falling under personal liability are insured for up to USD 30,000.
Criticism from the tourism industry
Tanzania’s tourism industry fears that the mandatory travel insurance will lead to a reduction in the number of international travellers. Tour operators are afraid that the mandatory travel insurance will increase the cost of a trip to Zanzibar so much that the island will not be able to compete with other destinations. The cost of USD 44 per person is in addition to the costs for flights, accommodation and the visa for Tanzania. This could have a particularly strong effect on families with kids. The new policy contrasts with most other destinations which do not require travellers to purchase travel insurance, or which accept insurance from the traveller’s home country.
Tanzania’s Minister of Finance, Saada Mkuya Salum, claims that the travel insurance is actually advantageous for tourists, as it covers many costs in case of an emergency. Additionally, the minister explained that Zanzibar is not the only region with a mandatory travel insurance, but that many other countries have a similar rule.
Prepare your trip to Zanzibar in time
Since travellers to Zanzibar are required to hold more documents than before, you are advised to prepare your holiday well in advance. The Tanzanian authorities advise travellers to purchase the mandatory insurance as soon as they make the first payment for their trip. Travellers who do not hold a valid QR code may be denied entry to the island. The same applies to the Tanzania visa. The e-visa is issued after 21 days on average. Applicants have to enter the details about their return or onward flight in the e-visa application form. Therefore, you are advised to apply for the visa as soon as you book your return flight.