Tanzania
Last update 03 December 2025Travel advice
Risk index
Level 3: Avoid non-essiential travel (Do not travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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United Republic of Tanzania
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in Tanzania. Bulgarian citizens residing in Tanzania for a short or long term can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for consular matters.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Address: Bole KK, Kebele 04/06/07, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; P.O.Box 987
Telephone: +251 91 125 2514
Out-of-hours hotline: +251 91 125 2514
Office hours: 9:00 - 17:30 h
E-mail: Embassy.AddisAbaba@mfa.bg; bul.addis@gmail.com
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/ethiopia
The Embassy of Tanzania in Berlin has been accredited to Bulgaria.
Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Berlin
Address: Eschenallee 11, 14050 Berlin (Charlottenburg, Westend), Germany
Telephone: +49 30 3030800
E-mail: General - berlin@tzembassy.go.tz; Consular matter - consular.berlin@nje.go.tz ; Tourism - utalii.berlin@nje.go.tz
Website: https://www.de.tzembassy.go.tz/
General information
Crime and security:
Although visits to the country are usually problem-free, armed crime is on the rise and reasonable precautions and vigilant must be exercised, especially in the popular tourist areas of Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Robberies, thefts from passing motorbikes, and forced withdrawals from ATMs have increased throughout Tanzania and Zanzibar.
All travels should be avoided in Mtwara District and within 20 kilometers of the border between Mtwara District in Tanzania and Cabo Delgado District in Mozambique. Extremists linked to the Somali-based Islamist terrorist group Al-Shabaab pose a threat throughout the East African region and are believed to be active in Tanzania.
Always carry a copy of your passport's personal page and any visa affixed to it. Keep your passport in a safe place. Be vigilant at all times, especially in busy areas and public places such as transportation hubs, hotels, restaurants and bars, and if/ when you find yourself in large gatherings, including sport or religious events. Immediately leave areas where demonstrations and mass protests are taking place and monitor local media for up-to-date information.
Healthcare:
Before traveling to Tanzania visitors should obtain a comprehensive travel insurance.
As of 1 October, 2024, all foreigners entering Zanzibar are required to purchase a compulsory travel insurance directly from the national insurer: Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. For more information, please visit https://visitzanzibar.go.tz/ .
Malaria is widespread throughout the country. If you suspect signs of the disease, immediately go to a medical facility for testing and/or treatment.
For more information on mandatory and/or recommended vaccines, you can contact the Regional Health Inspectorates in the country. Hospital services generally do not meet European standards. Particular attention is recommended to food hygiene, including the use of fresh fruit and salads. Drink boiled or bottled water.
Legislation specifics:
Tanzanian law strictly prohibits photographing police and military personnel, military installations, industrial facilities, government buildings and infrastructure (roads, bridges, dams, airports, etc.). Photographing in prohibited areas may result in confiscation of the camera and arrest.
The use of unlicensed telecommunication equipment, including devices for satellite internet provided by the company “Starlink,” is punishable under Tanzanian law and may lead to pre-trial detention, a fine exceeding 2,000 euros, and/or imprisonment for up to ten months.
In Tanzania, acts of homosexuality are punishable by law.
Customs Requirements:
The import and usage of plastic bags is prohibited in Tanzania.
The import and export of animal accessories to and from Tanzania is prohibited.
Residents of Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda may import local currency (Tanzanian shilling - TZS) up to the amount that they have exported. Import of local currency is not allowed for non-residents. Import of foreign currency is without restrictions, subject to declaration.
Residents of Tanzania, Kenya or Uganda may export local currency (Tanzanian shilling) up to TZS 1,000. Non-residents are not allowed to export local currency.
Foreigners may export foreign currency, but the amount must not exceed the declared imported quantity.
Persons over 19 years of age may import up to 250 grams of tobacco, 200 pieces of cigarettes, 50 pieces of cigars, 1 bottle of alcoholic beverage and 580 ml. perfume.
More information on customs requirements for import and export is available here:
https://www.daressalaamairport.com/en/customs_dar_es_salaam_airport.php
Road traffic:
Tanzania keeps left-hand traffic. A local, International or Bulgarian driver's license is required.
The use of alcohol while driving is prohibited.
The condition of the public transport is unsatisfactory. For foreigners it is recommended to use licensed taxi companies at the hotels or at the airports.
Practical advice:
Local emergency number: 112
Travelers are urged to exercise vigilance and caution, especially in public places, frequently visited by tourists/foreigners, including hotels, bars and restaurants, sporting events, supermarkets and shopping malls, beach resorts, government buildings, international schools, buses, trains and other transport hubs, including airports. There is an increased risk of terrorist attacks during public and religious holidays.
Local currency:
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS).
Information about the banking system and the exchange rates can be found on the website of the National Bank of Tanzania https://www.bot.go.tz/
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian citizens can travel to Tanzania with the option of obtaining a visa upon arrival at official border entry points. However, it is highly recommended to use the online visa application platform through the official website of the Tanzania Immigration Services: www.immigration.go.tz
Upon arrival, you must present a return ticket. Upon submitting the online application, wait for the approval (Visa Grant Notice), which you will receive by email. Visa applications are processed within up to 10 days. If the visa is not issued within this period, it is recommended to make an inquiry by email at info@immigration.go.tz or by using the telephone numbers listed on the website.
Before traveling, make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months and contains at least one blank page.
Important: The final decision on entry into the country is made by the immigration officers at the border point.
For visa-related questions, citizens may also contact the Embassy of Tanzania in Berlin, accredited for Bulgaria, at the following email: consular.berlin@nje.go.tz
Bulgarian citizens must leave the territory of Tanzania before the expiration of their visa validity in order to avoid adverse consequences.
Consular service
EU Emergency Travel Document
In case of a damaged, lost, stolen or expired passport, Bulgarian citizens can apply for an EU Emergency Travel Document (EU ETD) at an Embassy of an EU Member State. The ETD is issued only for the purpose of a single trip to Bulgaria or the country of permanent residence.
Certifications and legalizations
In order to be used before the Bulgarian institutions, all documents issued by the Tanzanian authorities must be stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of Tanzania.Further the documents must be authenticated by the Embassy of Tanzania in Berlin. The next step is the authentication of the documents by the Embassy of Bulgaria in Berlin. Following this step the documents must be translated into Bulgarian by a translation agency in Bulgaria and authenticated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.