Looking for the South Africa Embassy in Berlin? Below you will find the official address, contact details, opening hours and available consular services.
Contact Details
| Address | Tiergartenstrasse 18, 10785 Berlin, Germany |
| Telephone | +49 30 22 07 30 |
| Fax | +49 30 220 731 90 |
| berlin.admin@dirco.gov.za | |
| Website | www.suedafrika.org |
| Social Media | Facebook · X |
| Head of Mission | Mr. Phumelele Stone Sizani, Ambassador |
Consular Section
| Fax | +49 30 220 732 02 |
| berlin.consular@dirco.gov.za |
Opening Hours Embassy
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 08:00 – 16:30 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 – 16:30 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 – 16:30 |
| Thursday | 08:00 – 16:30 |
| Friday | 08:00 – 16:30 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Opening hours are subject to change on public holidays and special occasions. Always check with the embassy in advance.
Opening Hours Consular Section
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 – 12:00 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Location of the Embassy
The map above displays the embassy’s location in the city. Allow sufficient travel time, especially during peak hours.
About the South African Embassy in Berlin
The South African Embassy in Berlin represents the Republic of South Africa in Germany and supports diplomatic, political and economic relations between South Africa and Germany. The bilateral relationship covers foreign policy, trade, investment, energy, climate protection, education, science and development cooperation.
South Africa is one of Germany's most important partners in Africa. The two governments cooperate through the German-South African Binational Commission, which provides an established framework for regular political and sectoral cooperation. In 2026, both countries also agreed to further develop their relationship towards a strategic partnership.
In addition to its diplomatic role, the embassy provides immigration and civic services for South African citizens and other applicants. Its consular district covers most German federal states, while residents of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are served by the South African Consulate General in Munich.
Visa Information
German citizens generally do not need a visa for short tourist, business or private visits to South Africa. A visitor's permit is normally granted upon arrival for the intended stay, up to a maximum of 90 days.
South Africa also offers an Electronic Travel Authorisation system. However, according to current German travel information, the electronic authorisation is not mandatory for German citizens. It may nevertheless be available as an optional way to facilitate the entry process.
German citizens travelling for purposes other than a short tourist, business or private visit, including certain employment, study or longer-term stays, may need to obtain the appropriate South African visa or permit before travelling.
South African citizens holding an ordinary passport require a visa to travel to Germany. Short stays of up to 90 days normally require a Schengen visa, while longer stays for employment, study, vocational training or family reunification require the appropriate German national visa.
German Schengen visa applications in South Africa are generally submitted through the authorised external service provider TLScontact, which operates application centres in several South African cities. National visa procedures may instead involve the German Embassy in Pretoria, the Consulate General in Cape Town and the Federal Foreign Office's Consular Services Portal.
Consular Services
The South African Embassy in Berlin provides immigration and civic services for South African nationals and other applicants residing within its consular district. The exact procedure depends on the service requested.
- South African passport and travel document matters
- Registration of births and selected civil status matters
- Citizenship and Home Affairs-related services
- Visa and immigration applications for South Africa
- Consular assistance for South African citizens in Germany
- Selected document and Commissioner of Oaths services
An important procedural change took effect in 2025. A dedicated VFS service centre in Berlin now handles new appointments for certain South African civic services, including passport applications and registration of children born in Germany. Applicants should therefore check whether their service is handled by VFS or directly by the embassy before arranging a visit.
South Africa's Honorary Consuls in Germany do not provide ordinary consular services. The embassy specifically states that honorary consuls cannot process visa applications or certify documents. These services are handled by the Embassy in Berlin and the Consulate General in Munich.
Appointments
Appointment requirements vary considerably according to the service. South African visa applications submitted through the Embassy in Berlin must currently be presented in person without a prior appointment. Applications sent by post or courier are not accepted.
Civic services follow different procedures. New appointments for selected passport and birth-registration services are now handled through the VFS service centre in Berlin, while some other consular services continue to require direct contact with the embassy.
Services involving the embassy's Commissioner of Oaths require a prior appointment. Applicants should therefore identify the correct procedure for their specific service before visiting the embassy.
Residents of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg should generally contact the South African Consulate General in Munich rather than the embassy in Berlin for consular and immigration matters.
Diplomatic Missions between South Africa and Germany
South Africa maintains its embassy in Berlin. Its diplomatic jurisdiction covers the entire Federal Republic of Germany, while its consular district covers Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein.
South Africa also operates a Consulate General in Munich. This professional consular mission is responsible for Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
In addition, South Africa maintains Honorary Consulates in Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Erfurt, Hamburg, Lübeck and Stuttgart.
These honorary offices support bilateral and regional contacts, but they do not provide the full range of consular services. Visa applications, certifications and other formal consular procedures are handled by the Embassy in Berlin or the Consulate General in Munich.
Germany is represented in South Africa by the German Embassy in Pretoria. Its consular district includes Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga. The embassy's wider diplomatic jurisdiction also includes Eswatini and Lesotho.
Germany also operates a Consulate General in Cape Town, which is responsible for Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape as well as St Helena and its dependencies.
Additional German Honorary Consuls are located in Durban and Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. Their powers are more limited than those of the embassy and Consulate General.
Together, these missions support the extensive political, economic and consular relationship between South Africa and Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions about the South African Embassy in Berlin
Do German citizens need a visa for South Africa?
German citizens generally do not need a visa for short tourist, business or private visits of up to 90 days. Different rules apply to employment, study and other longer-term stays.
Do South African citizens need a visa for Germany?
Yes. South African citizens holding ordinary passports require a visa for Germany. Short stays normally require a Schengen visa, while longer stays require the appropriate national visa.
Is an appointment required for a South African visa application in Berlin?
Under the embassy's current procedure, visa applications must be submitted personally in Berlin and no prior appointment is required. Other consular and civic services may follow different appointment procedures.
What other South African consular missions are located in Germany?
South Africa operates a Consulate General in Munich and Honorary Consulates in Bremen, Dortmund, Dresden, Erfurt, Hamburg, Lübeck and Stuttgart.
Information provided on this page about the Embassy of South Africa in Berlin is intended for general reference only. Contact details, appointment procedures, entry requirements and available services may change. Always confirm current information directly with the embassy or the responsible consular authority before your visit.