Are you planning a trip to South Africa? We have some helpful tips to ensure it is a smooth and enjoyable one.
However, we know that you may have unique travel experiences and tips that may benefit others. So, don’t hesitate to submit your tips, and we can include them on this page.
South African travellers returning to the country should be aware of the new SARS Traveller Declaration Form.
This digital Customs declaration form allows travellers to declare goods they are bringing into South Africa, including dutiable or restricted items.
While the system is voluntary for now, it is expected to become a mandatory requirement in the future.
The online declaration process is quick and easy, and aims to streamline Customs clearance, improve compliance, and reduce delays at entry points. Travellers can find all relevant information, including step-by-step instructions and updates on the rollout, on the SARS website.
When you convert your South African driver’s licence to a German licence, you have to hand in your SA card. If you want to drive in South Africa, or any other country outside the EU, you need to apply for an International licence from the road traffic authorities (Führerscheinstelle) where you live.
Regulation 110 of the Road Traffic Act states that a foreign licence may only be accepted for driving in SA if it is issued in one of SA’s official languages. Since the German driver’s licence is issued in German (and not English), by law, you need to have an international driver’s licence with you.
The International Driver’s License provides a standardised translation of your native language into English, which is one of the official languages in South Africa. This translation helps authorities and rental car agencies understand the details of your driving qualifications without language barriers.
Regulation 110 of the Regulations to the National Road Traffic Act states that you need an International licence together with your German driving licence, based on the fact that German driving licences are issued only in German. This approach is also summarised by the Department of Transport in this working instruction to traffic centres that deal with foreign licences: https://www.arrivealive.co.za/documents/foreign%20dl%20and%20idp.pdf (see point 1.2 regarding the handling of foreign driving licences).
Here is an extract of Regulation 110: Conditions for acknowledgement and exchange of driving licence not issued in terms of the Act, and international driving permit.—(1) Subject to sub-regulation (1A) and (3), a driving licence referred to in section 23 (1) (a) of the Act, issued while the holder of it was not permanently or ordinarily resident in the Republic, shall, for the period for, and subject to the conditions under which it was issued, be deemed to be a valid licence for the purposes of Chapter IV of the Act, if
(a) (i) the licence has been issued in one of the official languages of the Republic;
or (ii) a certificate of authenticity or validity relating to the licence issued in an official language of the Republic by a competent authority, or a translation of that licence in such an official language, is attached to it.
(b) Such a licence contains or has attached to it a photograph and the signature of the licence holder.
🚗 Applying for an International Driver’s License in Germany
To apply for an international driver’s license, you will need:
✔ Your valid German driving license
✔ A recent biometric photo
💰 Cost: Approximately €16 (as of 2025).
📍 For more details, check your local Straßenverkehrsamt (Road Traffic Office) website or search “Führerschein (international) beantragen” on your web browser.
If you still have bank accounts in South Africa, you can transfer money to these accounts before your trip for easy access.
If you do not have a South African bank account, consider these options:
💵 Take Cash with You – Always a risk, but having some cash on hand is useful.
💳 Use Your German Credit Card – Ensure it is enabled for foreign transactions. Some banks offer a limited number of free transactions, and you can also withdraw cash from ATMs.
🏦 Use Your German Debit Card – If your bank allows international transactions, this can be a convenient option.
📝 Traveler’s Cheques – Can be cashed at local banks, though they are less commonly used today.
🛒 Cash Withdrawals at Grocery Stores – Some supermarkets allow you to withdraw cash when making a purchase at the cashier.
🔄 Keep Exchange Rates & Fees in Mind – Be aware of fluctuating exchange rates and possible transaction fees from your bank.
💡 Tip: Always carry some cash, as not all vendors accept cards, especially street vendors and taxis.
Travellers entering or leaving South Africa must comply with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Exchange Control Regulations regarding excess currency. According to these regulations, “excess currency” refers to any amount exceeding R25,000 in South African Rand or the equivalent of R25,000 in foreign currency that can be converted into Rand. (Status 2025)
If a traveller intends to carry an amount beyond these limits, they must obtain written permission from SARB before their journey. Additionally, travellers can voluntarily declare any currency they have in their possession either through the online SARS Traveller Declaration Form or by completing the manual Traveller Card (TC-01) upon arrival or departure.
The declaration applies not only to cash in the form of South African banknotes but also to foreign currency, securities (such as stocks and bonds), and gold. Failure to declare excess currency may result in penalties, confiscation, or other legal consequences.
For more detailed guidelines on excess currency regulations and declaration procedures, refer to the official SARS policy document: SC-PA-01-06 – Excess Currency – External Policy.
Foreign Exchange- EUR to ZAR This guide brings together the practical basics you need to understand how South African and German exchange control works, what’s allowed (and what’s definitely not), and where to look when you’re unsure. We’re not financial advisors — just a community sharing knowledge so you can make confident, well-informed decisions. Disclaimer – We share general information to help our community understand how foreign exchange and
You need a valid South African passport or an Emergency Travel document to enter South Africa.
As a rule, South African citizens who arrive at passport control in South Africa must present their South African passport.
📅 Verify your passport validity. If it’s expiring soon, consider renewing it while in South Africa
Applying for official documents from the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa has become a whole lot easier. Apply online You can apply for your Smart ID or Passport online via the eHomeAffairs website. You will still need to
Temporary proof of German Residence To stay in Germany longer than 90 days in a 180 period, you will need a residence permit. Qualifying for a residence permit will depend, among other things, on the type of visa you applied
Passport Application Applying for a new Adult Tourist passport in South Africa can be done online via the Department of Home Affairs E-Services. This service allows you to fill in the application form online and make an appointment for your
As a rule, South African citizens who leave passport control in South Africa must present their South African passport.
Travelling from South Africa to Germany, you will need:
🚨 Check restrictions on your residence permit. Some permits, like single-entry Aufenthaltstitel (common for short student visas), do not allow re-entry into Germany once you leave.
In terms of the South African Citizenship Amendment Act of 2004, which came into effect on 15 September 2004, it is now an offence for a South African over the age of 18 with dual citizenship to enter or leave the country using their foreign passport.
Once you’ve obtained dual citizenship, you must use your South African passport when entering and leaving South Africa. It is important to note that the requirements of s 26B(a) do not apply to minors. However, many people have reported experiencing difficulties at passport control when minors were travelling with an expired South African passport.
For more information:
The Department is obliged to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act. However, we acknowledge that many affected South Africans may not yet be aware of the amendments to the Citizenship Act and the implications for themselves.
We have therefore decided that affected South Africans departing or arriving through our ports of entry, attempting to use a foreign passport, will be issued a warning giving them three (3) months to obtain a South African passport.
They will be allowed to depart or enter South Africa.
Accordingly, we would like advise all South Africans who have a dual citizenship and do not have South African passports to apply for their South African passports at their earliest opportunity
Also see the “Notice to South Africans who have dual citizenship” on the South African Embassy in Germany webpage
As a rule, South African citizens who arrive at passport control in South Africa must present their South African passport. Also, refer to the section above
A German citizen can travel to South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days.
If they stay longer than 90 days, they need a visa.
If you renounced your South African Citizenship and are travelling on a German passport, you still have the right to permanent residence in South Africa. Make sure to take along all your supporting documentation, such as your original renunciation certificate and, if you already have one, your new non-citizen identity document.
You can apply for your new Non-citizen identity document as soon as you receive confirmation of your renunciation of South African citizenship.
If you hold a valid South African passport along with a valid visa, residence permit, or Fiktionsbescheinigung permitting multiple entries into the Schengen Area, you can travel between Germany and South Africa without any additional visa-related paperwork.
For guidance on interpreting your visa, residence permit, or Fiktionsbescheinigung, please refer to the page below:
Travel within the Schengen Area “The Schengen Area is a zone comprised of 29 European states which have officially abolished passports and other types of border control at their mutual borders. Countries in the Schengen area can temporarily reinstate border controls at internal borders — for security reasons, to manage migration pressure, during major events, or in other emergencies. That’s fully legal and happens sometimes.For visitors, it effectively means that the Schengen Area acts as a singular country, i.e. once you enter one Schengen country, you have entered them all.” See the ETIAS Visa for more information.Not all EU countries are in Schengen,
Minors may need additional documents when travelling, whether they’re accompanied by both parents, one parent, a non-guardian adult, or travelling alone.
Airlines
Airline rules vary across EU countries and carriers, so it’s essential to check the specific requirements for your destination. Airlines often require written parental authorisation forms for minors, especially when not accompanied by both parents. Confirm this with your airline before departure.
South Africa
In addition to airline-specific rules, South Africa has its own requirements for minors entering or leaving the country. These apply to both accompanied and unaccompanied children. The requirements for children travelling through South African ports of entry can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Tip: For a South African Child, they do require a copy of a birth certificate / equivalent document or passport containing the details of the parent or parents of the child.
Here is the suggested Parental Consent Letter provided by the Department of Home Affairs. According to feedback from our community, It does not need to be notarised.
Additional information is available on the South African Embassy’s website under “Helpful Links / Travelling with children to South Africa.” You can also read the official statement from the Minister of Home Affairs.
Germany
For rules and documentation when travelling to or from Germany with minors, visit the Bund.de website or contact your local authorities.
Visit the ADAC website to download the recommended Reisevollmacht (travel authorisation) form for children travelling with non-guardians or one parent. When you want to travel during a German school term, you can apply for special leave (Beurlaubung).
Travel during a School Term The school rules in Germany are very strict and every student is obliged to attend classes and other school events. You therefore cannot take your child out of school before the term ends. They must attend school for the whole term, with only certain exemptions like ill-health, participation in sports competitions, or an important personal reason like the marriage of siblings, death in the family or serious illness in the family, see
Flying with Children Travelling with small kids can be an amazing experience, but also quite a task, especially when it involves long flights. One of the key aspects to consider while planning such trips is the sleep schedule of your children. A poorly planned flight routine can lead to a lot of stress, not just for the little ones, but also for the parents. With some thoughtful planning, you are sure to have a fantastic trip together.
Travel insurance isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s your safety net when the unexpected decides to gate-crash your holiday. Some credit cards throw in a bit of cover as a perk, but don’t just assume you’re wrapped in cotton wool. Check the fine print so you know exactly what’s included and what’s left out in the cold.
If you’d rather keep things simple, here are a few companies that provide reliable travel insurance:
Double-check that your medical needs are properly covered. Most travel insurance policies include medical protection, but limits vary wildly, and hospital bills don’t care about your holiday mood. If your policy feels a bit thin, you can always add extra medical cover to give yourself real peace of mind while you roam under the Southern sun.
The major airports in Germany are Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg and Düsseldorf.
The major airports in Germany are Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg and Düsseldorf.
Direct flights from South Africa are available only to Frankfurt and seasonally to Munich.
Lufthansa operates flights between Frankfurt, O.R. Tambo International, and Cape Town. The airline offers the chance to bid for upgrades, and, depending on flight availability, you can book a sleeper row at a significantly lower cost than Premium Economy or Business Class.
Seasonal flights are offered between Munich Airport and O.R. Tambo International, and Cape Town
Condor has reinstated flights between Frankfurt and Cape Town. They also offer two weekly flights between Frankfurt and O.R. Tambo International, but both routes are available only during their winter schedule. Stay updated on their winter and summer flight schedules.
Indirect flights, also known as connecting flights, involve stopping at one or more intermediate airports before reaching your final destination.
They can be more affordable and flexible than direct flights, but may increase travel time. When booking, check layover durations, luggage transfer policies, and visa requirements for layover countries to avoid complications.
Emirates offer flights from O.R Tambo, Durban, and Cape Town to Dubai, and then from Dubai they offer flights to Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf
Turkish Airlines offers flights from O.R Tambo, Cape Town and Durban to Istanbul and from there they offer flights to Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Friedrichshafen, Hamburg, Hannover, Karlsruhe, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, Nuremberg and Stuttgart from Istanbul.
Swiss Airlines operates flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Zurich, offering connections to nearly every German airport. Important: At Zurich Airport, you will need to go through security and passport control before reaching your connecting flight gate. A transit time of less than 90 minutes is not recommended.
“I didn’t know it at the time of booking, but Condor is a cut-price airline. My priority was direct flights there and back, so it suited me fine.
The planes were quite old A330’s in which a few of the screens do not work as well as the remote control was stuck so as to be unusable.
The food was vegetarian, i.e. pasta, with varying sauces for the return trip. Breakfast was not eggs, bacon (or sausage), and fried tomato, but rather a type of (tasteless) cheese in pastry (made in the Netherlands). On the return trip, it was a cheese croissant. The seats, however, seemed somehow much narrow than normal.”
Seat Info – You can search your flight details either on the airline’s website or read reviews on Seatguru
If you have an onward flight, for instance, to Hoedspruit, Cape Town, or Durban, you will need to clear passport control and customs at the airport where your international flight arrives (usually Johannesburg OR Tambo or Cape Town International). This is your official port of entry into South Africa.
Luggage: International to Domestic Connections
Even if you’re told at check-in in Germany that your luggage is checked through to your final destination in South Africa, this is not the case. South African airports do not automatically transfer luggage between international and domestic flights, even if they are booked on the same ticket. You must collect your bags at the international arrivals baggage carousel, clear customs, and re-check them for your domestic flight.
There may be a fast bag-drop or re-check desk near the customs area, but this is not guaranteed. If no such desk is available, you’ll need to head to the Domestic Terminal, check in again, and pass through security before proceeding to your gate.
Allow at least 90 minutes for your connection. If you’re travelling with children, have mobility issues, or your flight is delayed, build in extra time to avoid stress.
Tip: If you’re worried about delays or tight layovers, see our General Travel Tips – Flying page for what to do if you miss your connecting flight.
💬 Real-Life Travel Experience
Someone recently flew from Germany to Johannesburg with Condor, then connected to Cape Town on Airlink. At check-in, they were told their luggage would go straight through to Cape Town — but it didn’t.
They landed in Cape Town, but our bags didn’t. Their bags arrived 48 hours later.
👉 Moral of the story? Even if you’re told your luggage is checked through, you still need to collect it at O. R. Tambo in Johannesburg, clear customs, and check it in again for your domestic flight, including with Airlink.
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine This page is dedicated to helping you make the best choices when it comes to planning your travels. We have information about Airlines that fly between Germany and South Africa, airports in Germany and tips for searching for flights that fit your needs. We also cover essential topics such as packing your luggage and choosing travel insurance. If you’ve got
General travel Tips – Flying When it comes to travelling, especially by air, taking precautions and planning ahead is key to ensuring a smooth journey. Here are some general travel tips that can come in handy during your next flight! We also have some advice on booking your flights, travel insurance and your time at the airport. If you’ve got your own tips to share, we’d love to hear them! Simply submit them to us and we’ll
Flying with Children Travelling with small kids can be an amazing experience, but also quite a task, especially when it involves long flights. One of the key aspects to consider while planning such trips is the sleep schedule of your children. A poorly planned flight routine can lead to a lot of stress, not just for the little ones, but also for the parents. With some thoughtful planning, you are sure to have a fantastic
✅ 23 kg (50 lbs) Economy Class Limit – Most airlines within the EU and internationally follow a 23 kg limit per checked bag for Economy Class, especially for long-haul flights.
✅ Bag Allowance Varies by Airline & Fare – The number of bags you can take depends on your airline, ticket class, and fare type. Some Economy fares include one checked bag, others allow 2 bags while others require an extra fee. Business and First Class passengers often get extra baggage allowance.
✅ Lithium Batteries in Hand Luggage Only – Laptops and electronic devices with lithium batteries must not be packed in checked luggage due to fire risk. They must be carried in your hand luggage, and some airlines have specific watt-hour (Wh) limits on spare batteries.
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We have Travel agents listed on our website. These businesses are owned and run by South Africans living in Germany.
Contact them to get expert advice and assistance with bookings.
Mon Voyage Travel and Tours is an IATA and ASATA accredited Travel Agency based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa Waiting, willing and ready to assist you with airline and airfare options, as well as providing information and guidance by sending the rules/regulations in relation to the Covid19 pandemic. You will have a go-to-person from the moment you make your booking to the end so you would avoid holding on for airlines for 4 hours or
The Expat Travel Shop is full-service travel agency with over 2 decades of experience in global travel. Our personal approach meets client needs in both the business traveller and personal vacation maker. We offer all our clients equal professionalism and enthusiasm and do our best to understand your unique needs and preferences to ensure that we deliver a highly tailored, professional and positively memorable experience. We pride ourselves on impeccable service and timeous arrangement delivery,
From the Hocheifel to the world! With a destination knowledge of over 140 visited countries on all 6 continents, we help you to make the most beautiful days of the year a dream experience. On our web page, you can book trips online or get travel inspiration. Bookings on our website naturally include the same service and assistance as if you were booking with us in our local travel agency. Of course, we are also
Are you looking for the perfect gifts to take home to South Africa? We’ve created a list of thoughtful and practical gift ideas you can buy in Germany and pack for your trip. Whether you’re looking to surprise loved ones with something unique or simply want to bring a touch of Europe back with you, these ideas are sure to delight! 🎁
What can I bring into Germany It is very tempting to bring some South African goodies with you when you travel to Germany, and while most items are allowed, there are Restrictions. There is also a limit on duty-free allowances. Zollamt Germany’s customs authority is known as the Zollamt, and they
Public transport in Germany The German public transport system is extensive, reliable and very affordable. The Deutsche Bahn AG is the national railway company and is state-owned. The DB offers long distance, regional and local travel options.Here is a list of PDF Files with the route maps in German Long distance trains Long-distance
“Traveling to Germany is like stepping into a storybook, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes weave a tale you’ll never forget.” If you’re planning a trip to Germany, we’ve got some travel tips that we think you’ll find incredibly helpful. If you’ve got your own tips to share, we’d love
What can I bring into South Africa Heading home with a suitcase full of German goodies? We get it — who wouldn’t want to share some of their favourite snacks and products! While many personal items are perfectly fine to bring into South Africa, there are specific restrictions and prohibited
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