Germany Visa Requirements for South Africans
Germany requires a visa for South Africans
South African passport holders require a visa to enter Germany. Where you lodge the application, what it costs and how long it takes are set out below.
- Entry requirement
- Visa Required
- Stay allowed
- 90 days in any 180-day period
- Passport validity
- Valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen Area, and issued within the last 10 years
Want someone to handle it? See our Schengen visa application service →
Applying for a Germany visa in South Africa
- Where the application is decided
- German Embassy Pretoria / Consulate General Cape Town
- Where you lodge it
- TLScontact
- Application centres
- Centurion, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein and Gqeberha
- Visa fee (adult)
- EUR 90
- Visa fee (child 6–11)
- EUR 45 (aged 6 to 11)
- Processing time
- Up to 15 days, and sometimes longer
- Book your appointment
- At least 4 weeks before you travel
TLScontact has not accepted cash since 1 September 2025, so bring another payment method. The application form is VIDEX, completed in English or German.
If your case is not straightforward
The application is the same for everyone. What differs is how you prove income and ties. These cover the situations that need building differently:
Source: southafrica.diplo.de. Checked 13 August 2026. If you spot something out of date, tell us at help@getvisa.co.za.
Information last reviewed: . Always verify with the relevant embassy before travelling.