Tanzania: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Tough
Overall verdict for Tanzania: Tough. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.
Tanzania: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Sex & dating, Driving
The 23 topics at a glance
Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed
💊Drugs🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💉MedicinesAllowed, with limits
🛡️Theft & scamsAllowed, with limits
🐾AnimalsRelaxed
🚬SmokingAllowed, with limits
🍺AlcoholRelaxed
❤️Sex & dating🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
👕Dress codeAllowed, with limits
🕌ReligionAllowed, with limits
🚗Driving🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
📷Photo & videoAllowed, with limits
🔪WeaponsBanned or serious risk
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsAllowed, with limits
🤝BehaviorRelaxed
⛓️Jail riskBanned or serious risk
⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits
📡Internet & VPNRelaxed
🚁DronesBanned or serious risk
💵Cash & currencyAllowed, with limits
🩺Vaccines & healthAllowed, with limits
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestAllowed, with limits
How Tanzania compares
With 6 of 23 topics flagged red, Tanzania is more relaxed than 24 of the 41 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (regional average: 7.3). Worldwide, Tanzania ranks #51 of 148 for strictness (tied with 13 other countries).
What to watch most in Tanzania
- The age of consent is the first thing to check, and it varies from 13 to 21 depending on the country and sometimes the region.
- Some countries criminalise sex outside marriage, which can affect an unmarried couple sharing a hotel room.
- Same-sex relations remain a criminal offence in around 60 countries, with sentences up to life in a handful.
- An International Driving Permit is required or strongly recommended in most non-European countries — get it before leaving, it cannot be issued abroad.
- A few countries do not recognise foreign licences at all and require a local one.
- Rental insurance excesses are often huge; check what a scratch actually costs you.
Tanzania at a glance
CapitalDodoma
CurrencyTanzanian Shilling (TZS)
LanguageSwahili, English
Emergency number112
Driving sideLeft
Mains voltage230 V
Calling code+255
Time zoneUTC+03:00
Plug typesG
Frequently asked questions
Is Tanzania strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Tough. 6 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Sex & dating, Driving, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones), 13 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Tanzania?
The strictest topics for travellers in Tanzania are: Drugs, Sex & dating, Driving, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Tanzania?
In LawsTravels: open Tanzania, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.
What is the emergency number in Tanzania?
In Tanzania, dial 112. Capital: Dodoma. Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Main language: Swahili, English.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Tanzania?
In Tanzania, traffic drives on the left. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +255. Time zone: UTC+03:00. Plug types: G.
Countries with the closest profile
Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.
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