South Africa
Germany
Germany visa for South African citizens
Entry requirement
South African citizens need a visa for Germany, obtained before travel.
- Where to apply
- 4 missions
- Visa guide
- Germany visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at southafrica.diplo.de
Which Germany visa?
Schengen visa (type C) for tourism
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Fee
- €90
- Processing time
- Usually 15 days after the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top.
For the tourist visa, Germany’s official sources give a standard fee of €90, and applications are made on videx.diplo.de. Processing time, as Germany states it: Usually 15 days after the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
German missions in South Africa
-
- Consulate General of Germany in Cape Town
Roeland Park, 4 Stirling Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town 7925
- Honorary Consulate of Germany in Port Elizabeth
Corner of William Moffat and Circular Drive Walmer, Gqeberha 6070
- Honorary Consulate of Germany in Durban
2nd Floor, Connect Space, 102 Stephen Dlamini Road, Musgrave, Durban 4001
All missions of Germany in South Africa
Germany has 4 missions in South Africa, with its embassy in Pretoria. Consulates: Cape Town. Honorary consulates, which normally do not take visa applications: Port Elizabeth and Durban.
Germany: visa decisions in South Africa
| Year | Applications | Visas issued | Refused | Refusal rate | Multiple-entry share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 27,733 | 26,191 | 1,463 | 5.3% | 99.8% |
| 2024 | 25,609 | 24,209 | 1,346 | 5.3% | 99.8% |
| 2025 | 24,717 | 23,819 | 853 | 3.5% | 99.8% |
In 2025, Germany’s embassy and consulates in South Africa (Pretoria and Cape Town) received 24,717 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 23,819. 3.5% of applications were refused. In 2024 it had been 5.3%: the rate fell by 1.8 points. Applications fell by 3% compared with 2024 (25,609).
For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 5.3% of the applications lodged in South Africa that year, from 1.8% at the consulates of Greece to 21.9% at those of Croatia. Germany’s consulates worldwide refused 13.1%. Germany was the 3rd most applied-for Schengen state in South Africa.
You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in South Africa, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.
Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates 2023–2025 (© European Union, reused under CC BY 4.0). Short-stay (type C) visas. How these figures are made
German citizens travelling to South Africa
GermanySouth Africa Visa-free, 90 days South Africa visa for citizens of Germany
Travel advice for Germany
- US State Department Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
South African citizens planning a trip to Germany can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates Germany at Level 2, exercise increased caution (updated 12 May 2025) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Germany (updated 11 August 2026). Each ministry writes for its own citizens.
Good to know
How long South African citizens can stay in Germany
How long South African citizens may stay in Germany is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How South African citizens apply
In South Africa, applications go to the German embassy in Pretoria and the consulate in Cape Town, or to a visa centre acting for Germany; fees, documents and processing times are published by Germany.
Germany and the Schengen area
A Schengen visa issued by Germany lets South African citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to Germany when it is the main destination of the trip.
Germany’s neighbours for South African citizens
Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, France and Austria require South African citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
German citizens travelling to South Africa
German citizens can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Germany?
South African citizens need a visa for Germany, obtained before travel.
Where is the German embassy in South Africa?
The German embassy in South Africa is in Pretoria; there is also a consulate in Cape Town.
How much does the Germany tourist visa cost?
Germany’s official sources give a standard fee of €90 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Usually 15 days after the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top.
Do German citizens need a visa for South Africa?
German citizens can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days.
Can South African citizens enter Germany visa-free?
No; South African citizens need a visa for Germany obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.