European countries that can visit South Africa visa-free
· The South African
Travellers from more than 100 countries can currently visit South Africa without applying for a visa, but changes are on the horizon.
Visit een-wit.pl for more information.
The Department of Home Affairs has gazetted draft regulations proposing a R500 Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) processing fee as part of its new digital visa platform expansion.
While the proposal is primarily aimed at modernising South Africa’s visa system, it could also affect travellers from visa-exempt countries who choose to use the ETA platform voluntarily.
What’s changing for visa rules in South Africa?
The ETA platform, which was launched in October 2025, allows travellers to apply for visas online, with applications expected to be processed within 24 hours.
Home Affairs now wants to expand the system to all countries that require a visa to enter South Africa.
Under the proposal:
- Travellers from visa-required countries will be required to use the ETA platform.
- A new R500 ETA processing fee will apply.
- Those who currently pay visa fees through outsourced service providers are expected to pay less overall, with total costs dropping from R1 975 to R925 for many applicants.
Travellers from visa-exempt countries will not lose their visa-free access to South Africa.
However, those who voluntarily use the ETA platform for a faster, more streamlined travel experience would also pay the proposed R500 processing fee.
The regulations are still in draft form and have not yet come into effect.
European countries that have visa-free access to South Africa
Citizens of the following European countries can currently travel to South Africa without applying for a visa beforehand, subject to the permitted length of stay:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City