No, electromagnetic waves do not have to travel through matter. In fact, they travel best through a vacuum, like the space between stars and planets.

Here's why:

* Electromagnetic waves are disturbances in electric and magnetic fields. These fields can exist in a vacuum, meaning they don't need matter to propagate.

* Light, a form of electromagnetic radiation, travels from the sun to Earth through the vacuum of space. This is proof that electromagnetic waves can travel without matter.

* Matter can absorb, reflect, or refract electromagnetic waves, but it's not necessary for their propagation.

So, while matter can interact with electromagnetic waves, the waves themselves can exist and travel independently of matter.