Moving to Tanzania for your education is a great way to begin a new chapter in your life. Regardless of whether you will be attending school in Dar Es Salaam, completing research in Arusha, or working in Dodoma which is the administrative capital of Tanzania, this experience will provide you and your family the opportunity to grow professionally and culturally. When you decide to move to Tanzania with your spouse or children there is more involved than simply preparing academically for your time abroad; there is also the issue of having access to quality healthcare.
The healthcare system in Tanzania is made up of many different providers including faith based missions, high end private hospitals and the government run public hospital system. The Tanzanian government has taken the first steps toward implementing universal health care; however, it may take some time before all families who reside in Tanzania have access to affordable quality healthcare. At the end of 2023, the Tanzanian government implemented mandatory health insurance for all residents as part of the universal health care initiative. This is a good thing because, in addition to providing a sense of security, it is now required by law.
In this section we will explain the best health insurance options available to international students, give you an idea of what to expect when comparing costs and provide you with the necessary information so that you can ensure that you and your family remain healthy during your time in Tanzania (the Soul of Africa).
1. The Shortlist: Finding Your Starting Point
If you are presently facing logistical challenges with your relocation and would like a general overview of options available to you, here are three possible classifications for your needs.
- The Cost-Effective Option: If your chief concerns are fulfilling the requirements of the University and addressing unexpected emergencies while living in Tanzania, both the AXA Foundation and the Jubilee Afya plan offer an affordable local and regional footprint.
- The Middle Ground Family Option: If you desire a balance between having predictable access to outpatient care for your children, while also being able to evacuate from Tanzania in case of a medical emergency, then Allianz Care (Student Tier), or IMG Silver may be suitable options. Both have the infrastructure of large global companies but have plans that are specifically designed for the African continent.
- The Premium “Worry-Free” Option: If you have plans to add to your family, or if you would like the flexibility to receive treatment in South Africa, Europe, or your home country, Bupa Global and Cigna Global are the ultimate choices. Both are modular and will allow you to bolt-on maternity, dental and vision as required.
2. Top 10 Insurance Options for Student Families
The following table outlines the most reliable insurers currently serving the Tanzanian market. These providers are recognized by major private hospitals like The Aga Khan or Regency Medical Centre, often allowing for “cashless” treatment where the insurer pays the hospital directly.
| Insurer / Plan | Family Coverage | Geographic Focus | Key Strength |
| 1. Allianz Care | Yes | Africa or Worldwide | Exceptional evacuation protocols and strong inpatient limits. |
| 2. AXA (Foundation) | Yes | Regional (Africa) | High reliability for emergency surgery and hospital stays. |
| 3. Bupa Global | Yes | Worldwide (excl. USA) | Premium network access and excellent chronic condition support. |
| 4. Cigna Global | Yes | Modular/Regional | Highly customizable; pay only for the modules (e.g., vision) you need. |
| 5. IMG Global | Yes | Worldwide | Flexible “Bronze/Silver/Gold” tiers to match various student budgets. |
| 6. APRIL International | Yes | Africa-Specific | Excellent long-term expat plans with local administrative support. |
| 7. Mondassur | Yes | Tanzania/Global | Specialized in expat student needs; focuses heavily on evacuation. |
| 8. William Russell | Yes | Regional Africa | Known for personal service and strong coverage for cancer and mental health. |
| 9. Jubilee Afya | Yes | Tanzania-Only | The premier local choice. Affordable and accepted at almost all local clinics. |
| 10. Pacific Prime | Yes | Global/Regional | A broker that compares multiple plans to find a match for university rules. |
3. The Financial Reality: What Will You Actually Pay?
Calculating the cost of insurance is not just about the monthly premium; it’s about balancing your “out-of-pocket” risk against your monthly cash flow. In Tanzania, costs are generally divided into three tiers.
Local Tanzanian Schemes
Basic local health insurance plans for students in the U.S. can be as inexpensive as $15-$40 USD per month, but when adding spouses and dependents, the monthly cost increases to approximately $80-$150 USD. These plans have limitations and do not include medical transportation to major cities such as Nairobi, Kenya or Johannesburg, South Africa, and they would likely require serious traumatic injury or specialized neonatal care.
International Plans (Africa-Only)
Restricting your coverage to Africa will be the most cost-effective way to achieve quality while reducing costs. The average monthly premium for a student with a spouse and two children should be in the range of $200-$400 U.S.D. (This typically includes full inpatient services plus cashless service at the top tier private hospitals in Dar es Salaam).
Worldwide Coverage & Maternity
If you require worldwide coverage (essential if you plan to return home for treatment during breaks) or maternity benefits, premiums jump significantly. Expect to pay $300–$600+ USD per month.
Pro Tip: Maternity cover almost always comes with a “waiting period” of 10 to 12 months. If you are already pregnant, an international policy will likely exclude the birth costs. You must plan a year in advance for these benefits to be active.
4. Crucial Coverage Points for Tanzania
Healthcare in a tropical, developing environment requires specific focus areas. When reviewing a policy’s fine print, ensure these four pillars are solid:
Medical Evacuation (The “Must-Have”)
In the event of a complex surgical requirement or a specialized pediatric emergency, you may need to be airlifted. Standard Tanzanian facilities are improving, but Nairobi (Kenya) or Johannesburg (South Africa) remain the regional hubs for advanced care. Ensure your plan covers “Air Ambulance” and “Repatriation.”
Outpatient Care for Children
Children in new environments are prone to respiratory infections, malaria, or stomach upsets. If your plan is “Inpatient Only,” you will pay for every GP visit, blood test, and antibiotic out of your own pocket. For families, a plan with a modest outpatient limit is usually more cost-effective in the long run.
Chronic Conditions and Tropical Health
Ensure your policy doesn’t have sweeping exclusions for “endemic diseases.” You want to be sure that if a family member contracts malaria or dengue, the treatment is covered without question. Additionally, check how the policy handles chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, which can be exacerbated by dust or humidity.
The New Legal Requirement
Beginning in November 2023 Tanzania will have a Universal Health Insurance program. Internationally accepted policies can be verified for legal residency status; however, some institutions still require the payment of National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in addition to your privately purchased insurance.
5. Strategic Steps for the Professional Student
Choosing a plan is a business decision for your family’s safety. Follow this workflow to ensure you aren’t wasting money on “ghost” coverage that won’t help you when it counts.
Step 1: The University Clearance
Before paying a deposit to an international insurer, email your university’s International Student Office. Ask for their Minimum Benefit Schedule. Some institutions are very strict and will only waive the “mandatory” local insurance if your international plan meets specific USD limits.
Step 2: Geo-Fencing Your Risk
Do not pay for “Worldwide” coverage if you are spending 11 months of the year in East Africa. By selecting an “Africa-only” or “Worldwide excluding USA/HK/Singapore” region, you can drop your premiums by as much as 35%.
Step 3: Use the “Deductible” Lever
If you have a healthy emergency fund, choose a higher deductible (the amount you pay before the insurance kicks in) for inpatient care. This lowers your monthly premium. However, keep the outpatient deductible low. You don’t want to be “punished” financially every time a child needs a routine check-up.
Step 4: Digital Preparedness
Tanzanian hospitals will often require a “Guarantee of Payment” (GOP) from your insurer before admitting you for non-emergency surgery.
- Keep a digital folder: Store scans of your passports, student visas, and marriage certificates on a secured cloud drive.
- Save the local numbers: Don’t just save the insurer’s 1-800 number. Find the local Tanzanian or Kenyan “assistance” number for your provider.
Pro Tips:
Finding the right health insurance can be at the bottom of a student’s to-do-list; visa application, and finding an apartment are usually above it. However, in Tanzania having the right insurance is your key to the best healthcare available. It will turn a potentially serious medical issue into an easily managed administrative issue.
The right balance between a plan which gives you access to local healthcare while meeting the minimum requirements for international emergency evacuation will provide you with not only good health but also a secure future academically and financially for yourself and your family.
References:
- Allianz Care. (2025). International student health insurance. Allianz Partners. https://www.allianzcare.com/en/personal-international-health-insurance/who-we-help/students.html
- APRIL International. (2025). Health insurance in Tanzania. APRIL International Care. https://www.april-international.com/en/destinations/africa/health-insurance-in-tanzania
- APRIL International. (2025). Long-term international health insurance. APRIL International Care. https://www.april-international.com/en/long-term-international-health-insurance
- Expert Education & Visa Services. (2025). Student health insurance. https://experteducation.com/global/services/student-health-insurance/
- IMG. (2023). International student insurance. International Medical Group. https://www.imglobal.com/international-student-insurance
- InternationalStudent.com. (n.d.). Health insurance answers for international students. https://www.internationalstudent.com/insurance/answers/
- Jubilee Insurance Tanzania. (2025). Jubilee Insurance Tanzania: Safeguarding your future. Jubilee Insurance. https://jubileetanzania.co.tz
- Mondassur. (2025). Tanzania health insurance. Mondassur International Health Insurance. https://www.mondassur.com/en/health-insurance-tanzania/
- Pacific Prime. (2025). Best health insurance for expats in Tanzania (2026 guide). https://www.pacificprime.com/blog/top-tanzania-insurance-companies-expats.html
- William Russell. (2023). How to get health insurance in Tanzania as an expat (or digital nomad?) William Russell Ltd. https://www.william-russell.com/blog/health-insurance-in-tanzania/
