Mozambique (MZ)
Portuguese-speaking East African country with 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline, extraordinary marine parks, growing LNG energy sector, and low cost of living for expats in Maputo.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Mozambique, prioritised.
Insurance in Mozambique is significantly different from European or North American markets. The domestic insurance sector is developing — major Mozambican insurers include Emose (state-owned), Hollard Mozambique, and Fidelidade Mozambique. For expats, international insurance products are typically more appropriate and more reliable than local policies. The most critical insurance needs for expats are: international health insurance with medical evacuation, vehicle insurance (compulsory), and property/contents insurance. Life insurance and personal liability are also recommended. The insurance regulator is ISSM (Instituto de Supervisão de Seguros de Moçambique).
Legally Mandatory
- - Vehicle third-party liability insurance (Seguro de Responsabilidade Civil Automóvel) — legally required for all vehicles on Mozambican roads under the Road Traffic Act
- - INSS social security contributions — compulsory for all employed persons (4% employee, 4% employer)
- - Workers' compensation insurance — required for employers under the Labour Law for work-related injuries
International Health Insurance with Medical Evacuation
Comprehensive medical coverage including GP visits, specialist care, hospitalisation, surgery, dental, and crucially — medical evacuation to South Africa or Kenya for treatment not available in Mozambique
Who needs it: Every expat and their family members — this is the single most important insurance product for Mozambique
Annual cost: USD 1,000–4,000 per individual; USD 3,000–8,000 per family (varies by age, coverage level, and provider)
Ensure your policy includes: emergency medical evacuation with minimum USD 100,000 coverage per event, direct billing with Aga Khan Hospital Maputo and Maputo Medical Centre, repatriation of remains, and maternity coverage if applicable. Many multinational employers provide this as a standard benefit — check your employment contract.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
Standalone emergency medical evacuation coverage for situations where your health insurance does not fully cover air ambulance evacuation to South Africa or Kenya
Who needs it: Essential for anyone working or travelling outside major cities (NGO workers in provinces, oil and gas workers in Cabo Delgado, tourism staff at remote lodges)
Annual cost: USD 200–600 per person per year
A standalone evacuation membership is the safety net for expats in remote areas. AMREF Flying Doctors (Nairobi-based) covers much of East and Southern Africa including Mozambique. Save the emergency number in your phone before you need it.
Vehicle Insurance (Third-Party + Comprehensive)
Compulsory third-party liability coverage for road accidents, plus optional comprehensive coverage for theft, fire, and own-vehicle damage
Who needs it: Every expat who owns or drives a vehicle in Mozambique — third-party is legally required
Annual cost: MT 5,000–25,000/year depending on vehicle value (third-party only: MT 3,000–8,000; comprehensive: MT 10,000–30,000)
Third-party insurance (Responsabilidade Civil) is compulsory and checked at police roadblocks. Comprehensive (Abrangente) is strongly recommended given the high rates of vehicle theft and accident risk in Mozambique. Ensure your policy covers 4WD vehicles if applicable. Keep the insurance certificate (apólice) in the vehicle at all times.
Contents and Property Insurance
Home contents insurance covering theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage to household goods and valuables
Who needs it: All expats renting or owning property in Mozambique — theft is a genuine risk
Annual cost: MT 5,000–20,000/year (depending on contents value and coverage level)
Cover your high-value items: laptops, cameras, watches, jewellery, imported appliances. Most policies exclude items over a specific value without specific declaration — declare expensive items individually. Cyclone damage coverage is relevant for coastal properties. Check whether your landlord's insurance covers the building — it typically does not cover your personal contents.
Life Insurance
Lump-sum death benefit for dependants or as employer-mandated group life coverage
Who needs it: Expats with dependants, or those required to maintain home-country mortgage or financial obligations
Annual cost: Varies significantly by coverage amount and age. Group schemes through employers: included in employment package. Individual policies: USD 300–1,500/year for USD 500,000 coverage.
Many major expat employers (TotalEnergies, ENI, UN agencies) provide group life insurance as standard. If not employer-provided, maintain a home-country life policy rather than a Mozambican one for easier administration. Ensure beneficiaries and claims procedures are clearly documented.
Employer's Liability / Workers' Compensation
Covers work-related injuries and occupational diseases for employees
Who needs it: Anyone who employs domestic staff (housekeeper, guard, nanny, driver) or operates a business with employees
Annual cost: MT 2,000–8,000/year per employee (varies by risk category)
Legally required for businesses under the Labour Law. For household employers, this covers domestic workers injured on the job. Penalties for non-compliance include fines and liability for full medical costs. Register domestic employees with INSS and maintain workers' compensation coverage from their first day of employment.
Personal Liability Insurance
Coverage for third-party bodily injury or property damage caused by you or your household in everyday situations
Who needs it: Expats with domestic staff, drivers, or who entertain frequently; homeowners and renters
Annual cost: MT 3,000–10,000/year (or included in some home insurance packages)
If you employ a domestic worker, guard, or driver and they are injured on your premises, personal liability coverage protects you from claims. Some expat home insurance packages include personal liability — check your policy terms.
Travel Insurance (for short trips within Africa)
Short-term coverage for trips from Mozambique to other African countries or internationally — medical, cancellation, and baggage
Who needs it: Expats who travel regionally without coverage under their international health insurance for short trips
Annual cost: USD 50–200 per trip or USD 200–500/year (annual multi-trip)
If your international health insurance covers you region-wide (Africa), standalone travel insurance may only be needed for trip cancellation and baggage coverage. World Nomads and SafetyWing are popular with internationally mobile professionals and cover most African destinations.
Comparison sites
Never arrive in Mozambique without international health insurance already active — obtaining coverage after diagnosis of a pre-existing condition is difficult or impossible.
Medical evacuation is not optional — it is the mechanism by which serious illness is treated. Embed it in your primary health insurance or hold a standalone membership.
Keep all insurance documents (policy schedules, emergency numbers, certificates) in both digital and paper form. Power cuts and internet disruptions make digital-only risky in emergencies.
Tick all policy exclusions before signing — adventure sports, motorbike riding, and security incidents (common in northern Mozambique) may be excluded by default.
Review insurance coverage annually — Mozambique's MZN depreciation affects the local value of USD/EUR-denominated policies and the relative cost of care.
Domestic worker INSS registration and workers' compensation are legal obligations, not optional — informal employment of domestic staff without INSS registration creates significant personal liability.
Insurance
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