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Islands Starting October 1, 2024, Zanzibar will require all foreign visitors to purchase mandatory insurance before entering the semi-autonomous region. This was announced by Zanzibar's Minister of Finance, Saada Mkuya Salum. The insurance fee will be mandatory for anyone planning to visit the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.
Here’s what you need to know about Zanzibar’s new entry insurance requirement.
What is the new insurance fee?
This new fee is essentially an insurance charge that will be collected from every person arriving in Zanzibar. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region within Tanzania, which gives its government the authority to make independent decisions in many areas. As a result, this insurance fee will only apply to those entering the semi-autonomous islands of Unguja (commonly known as Zanzibar) and Pemba. The new policy will not affect mainland Tanzania.
This fee will be mandatory for all tourists visiting Zanzibar.
How much does the insurance cost?
The insurance fee in Zanzibar is set at $44 USD.
When does this take effect?
The new requirement goes into effect on October 1, 2024.
Who needs to pay this fee?
Anyone arriving by plane or ferry to Zanzibar’s main islands, Unguja and Pemba, will need to pay the fee. The rule applies to all tourists. Zanzibar residents are exempt.
What if a tourist already has international insurance?
Even if a traveler already has international insurance, they will still be required to pay this fee. Existing international insurance from other countries will not be accepted in place of this mandatory charge.
What is the duration of coverage?
The insurance will be valid for 3 months (92 days) from the date of purchase.
It's recommended to pay this fee 3–5 days before arriving in Zanzibar.
Where can the fee be paid?
You can pay the fee on a dedicated website operated by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation: https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/. The payment process is similar to how you would pay for a visa to Tanzania online.
It’s still unclear whether visitors will be able to pay the insurance fee upon arrival in the archipelago. As soon as officials and the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation provide more details, we’ll update this information.
Some details remain unclear
It’s possible that the insurance fee might be payable upon arrival at the airport or the Stone Town seaport. If this option becomes available, expect it to take some time—be prepared for potentially longer waits at the airport.
It’s also uncertain whether the payment will be immediately checked upon entry once the fee is introduced, or if there will be a grace period before strict enforcement begins.
How the officials justify the new insurance fee
The statements from officials have been somewhat contradictory. Zanzibar’s Minister of Finance, Saada Salum, mentioned the goal to improve the quality of services for tourists. This includes providing emergency medical assistance, handling lost passports and luggage, facilitating emergency evacuations, and even organizing the repatriation of remains in the event of an unexpected death. A representative from the insurance corporation supported her, stating that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the overall tourist experience in Zanzibar.
Salum also referenced other countries where similar practices are common, though she did not provide specific examples.
However, during an official meeting with stakeholders, there was a discussion about the strain that tourists place on Zanzibar’s healthcare system. The Office of the President of Zanzibar appears keen to improve revenue collection, suggesting that this insurance fee is intended to alleviate the financial burden on the republic.
Zanzibar’s leadership is also hoping this move will boost tourism. However, there are concerns within the tourism industry that these additional costs might deter potential visitors.
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