From 1 October 2026, foreign nationals entering mainland Tanzania must carry an official local medical insurance policy. According to the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, travellers without it will be refused entry.
Mainland Tanzania requires a local policy from 1 October 2026
According to the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MFA of Russia, the requirement applies to foreign nationals arriving in mainland Tanzania from 1 October 2026. The rule concerns entry to the mainland, so travellers should make sure they meet it before reaching the border or airport.
The required document is an official Tanzanian medical insurance policy. According to the MFA Consular Department, an international commercial travel insurance policy is not accepted as a substitute, even if it provides medical cover for Tanzania.
A missing Tanzanian policy leads to refusal of entry
According to the MFA Consular Department, a foreign national who does not have the required local insurance will be refused entry to mainland Tanzania. Do not rely on a policy issued by an insurer in another country as evidence that the requirement has been met.
This is an entry requirement, not a step to complete after arrival. Arrange the local policy before crossing into mainland Tanzania and keep the confirmation available for border checks.
The local policy costs US$44, with a US$22 rate for travellers aged 3–17
According to the MFA Consular Department, the price depends on the traveller’s age. The announced amounts are set out below.
| Traveller category | Local medical insurance cost |
|---|---|
| Foreign nationals | US$44 |
| Children aged 3–17 | US$22 |
According to the MFA Consular Department, mainland Tanzania now has a requirement comparable to one introduced earlier for Zanzibar. A traveller whose itinerary includes both destinations should treat insurance compliance as a separate part of pre-departure planning.
The Tanzanian policy must be arranged before travel to the mainland
Before travel, check the official instructions for obtaining the Tanzanian policy, complete the required purchase or registration process, and save the resulting confirmation. According to the MFA Consular Department, the policy must already be in place when the traveller enters mainland Tanzania.
The MFA Consular Department announcement does not specify the application channel, accepted proof format, eligible nationalities or a purchase deadline before departure. Verify the current procedure through the official information identified by the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before arranging travel.
FAQ
Do I need local insurance to enter mainland Tanzania?
Yes. According to the MFA Consular Department, from 1 October 2026 foreign nationals entering mainland Tanzania must have an official Tanzanian medical insurance policy.
Can I use my international travel insurance instead?
No. According to the MFA Consular Department, an international commercial policy does not replace the required local Tanzanian insurance.
How much does the Tanzanian policy cost?
According to the MFA Consular Department, it costs US$44. The announced price for travellers aged 3–17 is US$22.
What happens if I arrive without the local policy?
According to the MFA Consular Department, entry to mainland Tanzania will be refused if the required local insurance is missing.
What to check
- Confirm that your itinerary includes mainland Tanzania and that the rule applies to your planned entry date.
- Check the official procedure for obtaining Tanzanian local medical insurance before departure.
- Obtain the official Tanzanian policy before reaching the mainland border or airport.
- Budget US$44 for a standard foreign traveller or US$22 for a traveller aged 3–17.
- Keep proof of the local policy accessible for entry checks.
- Do not use an international commercial insurance policy as a replacement for the Tanzanian policy.
