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Visa Information
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

South African citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

At which Embassy/Consulate/ Visa Issuing Authority should you apply? Read More

– If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of that country.

– If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority that is your main destination (i.e. your longest stay).

– If you intend to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of the country of your first point of entry. 

VISA INFORMATION

Basic Requirements

  1. Completed Application Form:
    • Fill out the “Common Schengen Application Form” in capital letters and sign it.
    • Available for free download from consular websites or at consular offices.
  2. Passport:
    • Valid for at least 3 months beyond your last day in the Schengen area.
    • Issued within the last 10 years.
    • Must have two blank pages for the visa.
    • Note: Temporary South African passports are generally not accepted. Confirm their acceptability beforehand.
  3. Photographs:
    • Two recent colour passport-sized photographs.
  4. Residence Permit:
    • If not a South African citizen, provide a residence permit valid for at least 3 months beyond your last day in the Schengen area.
  5. Visa for Final Destination:
    • Obtain any required visa for your final destination before applying for a Schengen visa, if applicable.
  6. Visa Fee Payment:
    • Proof of payment for the visa fee.
  7. Travel Itinerary:
    • Round-trip reservation or itinerary showing entry and exit from the Schengen state, including dates and flight numbers.
    • Some consulates may require the original ticket upon visa collection (verify with the relevant consulate).
  8. Proof of Funds:
    • Evidence of sufficient financial means for your stay (e.g., a bank statement from the past three months).
    • The required amount varies by country—confirm with the consulate. Cash is not accepted as proof.
  9. Travel Insurance:
    • One-page document confirming Schengen Travel Medical Insurance with a minimum coverage of Euro 30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation, valid in all Schengen countries.
  10. Accommodation Proof:
    • Confirmed hotel reservation (hotel vouchers are not sufficient).
    • If staying with a relative or friend, provide an invitation letter from the host, a copy of their passport or ID, and possibly authentication by relevant authorities.
    • For prepaid tours, provide details and proof of payment to the tour operator.

  • Official business letter from a company in the Schengen area and a letter from your employer stating the purpose of the visit.
  • For conferences, provide proof of registration and payment.

  • Unabridged birth certificate.
  • If traveling alone, include certified parental consent from both parents.
  • If traveling with one parent, include notarized consent from the other parent.
  • If only one parent has guardianship, present relevant court documents.
  • Some consulates may require both parents to sign in their presence.

The consular office may request additional documents such as proof of employment or student status, or a personal interview.

Apply at least 15 calendar days before your intended visit but no earlier than 3 months before the start of your visit.

  • Short Stay Visa: Allows up to 90 days in a 6-month period.
  • Long Stay Visa: For stays exceeding 90 days, issued by member states based on national legislation.

  • All Visa Types (Transit and Short Stay): 60 Euros, payable in Rand.
  • Children Aged 6-12: 35 Euros, payable in Rand.
  • Note: Contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate for the current Euro/Rand exchange rate and payment methods.

Visa Application Centres

  • Cape Town:
    • Address: 10th Floor, The Tower Building, 2 Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore
    • Email: info.cpt@blshelpline.com
  • Pretoria:
    • Address: 1st Floor, Building B, West End Office Park, Centurion
    • Email: info.pry@blshelpline.com
  • Durban:
    • Address: 1st Floor, Silver Oaks Building, 36 Silverton Road, Musgrave
    • Email: info.dur@blshelpline.com
    • Phone: +27 10 500 2032
    • Submission Hours: 09:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 15:00 (Monday to Friday)
    • Passport Collection: 15:00 to 17:00 (Monday to Friday)

Embassy of Spain in Pretoria

  • Address: Lord Charles Complex, 337 Brooklyn Road, Brooklyn
  • Phone: +27 76 114 6151
  • Email:
    • General: emb.pretoria@maec.es
    • Visas: emb.pretoria.vis@maec.es
    • Appointments: emb.pretoria.cit@maec.es

WEATHER

  • General Climate:
    • Spain has a diverse climate due to its size. Generally, it experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The central plateau (Meseta) has a more continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters.
  • Best Times to Visit:
    • Spring and fall, particularly April, May, June, September, and October, offer pleasant weather. Summer can be very hot, especially in inland cities such as Seville, Cordoba, and Madrid.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: Spain
Capital City: Madrid
International Airports: – Madrid-Barajas Airport
– Barcelona-El Prat Airport
– Palma de Mallorca Airport
– Malaga Airport
– Alicante-Elche Airport
– Gran Canaria Airport
– Tenerife Sur Airport
– Ibiza Airport
– Lanzarote Airport is also known as Arrecife Airport
– Valencia Airport
– Fuerteventura Airport
– Seville Airport
Area: 505,990 km²
Population: 47,473,373 (2024 est.)
Time Zone: GMT+1
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic
5% Islamic
Language: Spanish
Currency: Euro
Exchange Rate: Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate.
Credit Card Payment Availability: Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted.
American Express is less common and should match the name on your passport.
ATM Accessibility: Easily accessible
Dialling Code: +34

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: Standard voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz.
Appliances that operate within 220–240 V can be used.
Water: Tap water is safe to drink
Business Hours: Mon – Fri: 08:30/09:00 – 13:30 & 16:30/17:00 – 20:00.
The siesta is still observed in many areas, though less so in larger cities.
Banking Hours: Mon – Fri: 08:30 – 14:00 / 14:30
Photography Restrictions: Photography is often prohibited in cathedrals and churches.
Respect privacy by asking permission before photographing strangers on the street.
Tipping: Rounding up to the nearest Euro is common.
An extra Euro or two is appreciated for excellent service.
In restaurants, a tip of 10% is typical.
Vaccination Requirements: No vaccinations required; always consult your medical practitioner or travel clinic.
Dress Code Restrictions: No specific dress code restrictions.
Peculiar Customs to Observe: – Physical contact during conversations is common, such as touching the shoulder or standing close.
– In some bars, it is acceptable to drop used napkins and toothpicks on the floor. Staff will clean up regularly.

FESTIVALS

  • Las Fallas De Valencia (Festival of Fire): Valencia, March
  • Feria De Abril (April Fair of Seville): Seville, April
  • Semana Santa (Holy Week): Seville, Malaga, Valladolid, León
  • Feria Del Caballo (Horse Fair): Jerez, May
  • Formula 1 Grand Prix: Barcelona, May/June
  • San Fermin (Pamplona Bull Run): Pamplona, July
  • Benicassim Festival: Valencia, July
  • La Tomatina (Tomato Fight Festival): Buñol, August
  • Feria De Málaga: Malaga, August
  • Festa Major De Gracia: Barcelona, August

MAP

“I have seen dawn and sunset on moors and windy hills coming in solemn beauty like slow old tunes of Spain.”

– John Edward Masefield