Photo: Joachim Huber, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0Travel insurance in Malawi
Visitors, residents abroad and the COMESA Yellow Card
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Visitors to Malawi
- Health: non-residents staying less than six months need comprehensive health insurance to access public health services; non-nationals resident six months or more show a residence permit, insurance cover or proof of exemption (HSSP III 2023–2030).
- Driving: third party cover is compulsory on public roads (section 141 of the Road Traffic Act); the certificate must be in the vehicle (section 151).
Driving in the region: the COMESA Yellow Card
The Digital Yellow Card system describes the Yellow Card as the regional third party insurance, recognised in Burundi, Djibouti, the DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe; it adds that motorists from South Africa, Mozambique and South Sudan now use it too. The system issues and verifies Yellow Cards and handles claims.
Residents travelling abroad
Section 18 of the Insurance Act: no insurer, broker, agent "or any other person" may place insurance business, other than reinsurance, outside Malawi unless the Registrar approves it in writing; the Registrar publishes guidelines on applying to externalise insurance business. The Classes Directive 2017 has no separate travel class; personal accident and medical insurance are general insurance classes. Ask a licensed insurer or broker for a policy that meets the visa rules of your destination.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance to visit Malawi?
Under the Ministry of Health's HSSP III, non-residents staying less than six months need comprehensive health insurance to use public health services. Check your visa requirements with Malawi's immigration authorities.
Is the COMESA Yellow Card valid in Malawi?
Yes. The COMESA Digital Yellow Card system lists Malawi among the 13 countries where the Yellow Card is recognised.
Sources
- Ministry of Health — Health Sector Strategic Plan III 2023–2030: Reforming for Universal Health Coverage (FAOLEX copy)
- Road Traffic Act, Cap. 69:01 (in force 15 January 1998), Part XIV: compulsory third party insurance — MalawiLII consolidated text, Web Archive copy
- COMESA — Digital Yellow Card: the regional third party insurance system (countries where the Yellow Card is recognised)
- Insurance Act, Cap. 47:01 (Act 9 of 2010, in force 1 October 2010) — MalawiLII consolidated text, Web Archive copy
- Reserve Bank of Malawi — Pensions and insurance regulation: directives and guidelines
- Insurance (Classes of Insurance Business) Directive, 2017 — Government Notice No. 43, Gazette of 11 August 2017