Foreign Exchange- ZAR to EUR

We are not financial advisors and therefore cannot give financial advice. The information here should not be seen as financial advice in any way.
Always make informed decisions and speak to a professional when you are unsure.

What is exchange control?

Foreign exchange controls are various forms of controls imposed by a government on the purchase/sale of foreign currencies by residents or on the purchase/sale of local currency by nonresidents.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) uses the Currency and Exchanges Act No. 9 of 1933 and its Regulations to control Foreign exchange.
Authorised dealers ensure that their customers comply with the various regulations that control the sending and receiving of funds across South African borders.

ZAR to EUR

When you want to exchange South African Rand for Euros, you should keep the following in mind:

• Your residence status
• The amount of money you want to exchange. Some institutions have a limit on the amount, and some offer better rates for higher amounts
• The purpose of the exchange
• Requirements and regulations from SARS
• Requirements and regulations in Germany
• Tax implications
• The exchange rate. There is a selling and buying rate, and it is not the same as the rate you hear on the news.  See for example FNB
• The fees that are payable for the transaction. Some charge a percentage and others a flat rate per transaction.
• The institution you want to use. Make sure it is an authorised dealer. You can find a list of Authorised dealers in South Africa in this document from the South African Reserve Bank.
• Possible hidden fees

Tourism

Please refer to the Travel Allowance section of the following document from the Reserve Bank. Additional Information can be found on the SARS website –  Departure from SA page
As a tourist, you can get foreign exchange from authorised dealers in South Africa. The current (2021) limit per year is R200 000, but this can change so please refer to the abovementioned documentation.
You are also limited to R25 000 in Rand notes per person.
You can use a South African credit card outside of South Africa if your bank allows it and if you keep to the above limits.
You will need supporting documentation for example a flight ticket.
For more info – see this page from Travelstart

Residence in Germany

Please refer to the “Residents temporarily abroad” section of the following document for the allowance limits.
Additional Information can be found on the SARS website –  Departure from SA page
You are not allowed to use your South African Credit card in your new country of residence.

Emigrating from SA to Germany

Please refer to the “Private individuals who cease to be residents for tax purposes in South Africa” section of the following document. 
Additional Information can be found on the SARS website –  Departure from SA page

German Regulations

According to the German Foreign Trade and Payments Regulation (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung, AWV), incoming or outgoing payments from abroad must be reported to the Deutsche Bundesbank.
“Pursuant to section 11 of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz, AWG) read in conjunction with section 67 et seq of the Foreign Trade and Payments Regulation (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung, AWV), all residents in Germany (natural and legal persons whose place of residence is in the Federal Republic of Germany) have to report payments of more than €12,500 or the equivalent in another currency which they receive from non-residents (natural and legal persons whose place of residence is outside of the Federal Republic of Germany) or from residents for the account of non-residents (incoming payments) or make to non-residents or to residents for the account of non-residents (outgoing payments).”
Find more information here

Comparison website

• Monito can be used to compare fees and rates, please be careful of hidden fees!!!

Some options to consider

These institutions are not endorsed by us, they are just a list of regular suggestions on our FB page

• South African Bank to German Bank
• Transferwise
• WorldRemit
• Paypal
• Western Union
• Currency Partners