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Tanzania (TZ)

East African expat base with Swahili-English daily life, Indian Ocean access, major safari and NGO sectors, growing mining and energy work, and relatively low local costs offset by permit, insurance, school, and hard-currency housing expenses.

Capital: Dodoma
Region: Africa
Language: Swahili
Currency: TZS (TSh)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 27)
Emergency: 112
Free
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Currency & Money

Practical money tips for living in Tanzania.

TSh
Tanzanian shilling
TZS

Denominations

Banknotes: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 shillings; coins: 50, 100, 200, 500 shillings.

Payment Culture

Cash and mobile money dominate daily life. Cards work in larger hotels, malls, safari operators, and upscale Dar es Salaam restaurants, but cash is still needed for markets, taxis, local ferries, small shops, and government-office incidentals.

ATM Tips

Use ATMs inside bank branches or malls, especially in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi, Mwanza, and Zanzibar. Withdrawal limits can be low, network outages happen, and foreign cards may fail outside tourist corridors.

Exchange Tips

USD is widely quoted for safaris, some rents, international schools, and larger expat services. Bring clean post-2009 USD notes if using cash exchange. Keep exchange receipts for large transfers, rent deposits, and capital repatriation planning.

Pro tip: Best apps for expats

  • • Wise — Send money internationally at near-interbank rates
  • • Revolut — Multi-currency account, free ATM withdrawals (limits apply)
  • • N26 — German IBAN, free account, good for EU residents