Stricter Requirements for travelling to Zanzibar

From 1 October 2024, the Tanzanian government will only allow visitors to enter the country if they have taken out state-authorised compulsory insurance. According to the government, the aim is to ensure the safety and well-being of foreign visitors and to cover potential risks associated with their holidays. These include illness, repatriation, evacuation, loss of luggage and passport and other eventualities.

According to the industry portal ‘Reise vor 9’, the compulsory insurance will cost 44 dollars per person (equivalent to just under 38 francs) and will be valid for up to 92 days. The Tanzanian government has announced that its own international health insurance in the home country will not be recognised.

The tourism industry in the country fears a decline in the number of visitors to Zanzibar and criticises the fact that the government wants to introduce the compulsory insurance as early as 1 October. This is because the procedure for purchasing the policy has not yet been finalised.

According to the Tanzanian government's Travel Advisory Notice, compulsory insurance must be taken out by all foreign visitors before travelling to Zanzibar by sea or air. The designated website for this is currently unavailable.