South African nationals in Switzerland, and Swiss residents planning a trip to South Africa, can contact the Embassy of South Africa in Bern.
Contact Details
| Address | Alpenstrasse 29, 3006 Bern, Switzerland |
| Telephone | +41 31 350 13 13 |
| bern.political@dirco.gov.za | |
| Website | dirco.gov.za/berne |
| Head of Mission | Phaswana Cleopus Sello Moloto, Ambassador |
| Consular district | Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Neuchâtel and Jura |
Consular Section
Opening Hours – Consular Section
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00 - 12:30 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 12:30 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 12:30 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 12:30 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 12:30 |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Embassy office hours: Monday to Thursday from 08:30 to 16:30; Friday from 08:30 to 14:00. Visits by appointment. Please contact the embassy before you go.
Location of the Embassy
The embassy and its staff
Ambassador Phaswana Cleopus Sello Moloto has headed the embassy since August 2022. The Swiss Foreign Ministry’s diplomatic list names 5 accredited staff. The consular section covers Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Neuchâtel and Jura.
Which South African office is responsible for me?
| Office | Area covered |
|---|---|
| Embassy (consular section), Bern (this page) | Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Zug, Solothurn, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, Graubünden, Aargau, Thurgau, Neuchâtel and Jura |
| Consulate General, Geneva | Fribourg, Vaud, Valais and Geneva |
Documents checklist
What South African citizens usually need to bring for the most common requests, based on official South African government information:
South African passport (application abroad)
- Passport application form BI-73 (DHA-73), completed in black ink
- Form BI-529 (citizenship), required for all South African citizens abroad
- Fingerprints for applicants aged 16 and over – taken at the mission
- Certified copies of your passport and ID or birth certificate (the passport alone is not enough)
- Colour photos as specified by the mission; documents in other languages need a sworn English translation
- Apply 6–12 months before expiry; collection only in person. Emergency: an Emergency Travel Certificate for the direct return to South Africa
Sources: South African High Commission in Canberra – South African passports (dirco.gov.za), South African Embassy in Bern – civic services (dirco.gov.za) (checked October 2026). Requirements and fees can change and individual posts may ask for more – confirm the current list with the embassy before your visit.
Travelling from Switzerland to South Africa
For Swiss citizens, the FDFA refers questions about entry rules, accepted travel documents and visas for South Africa to this embassy. The FDFA’s travel advice for South Africa contains no general warning. See the FDFA travel advice.
Other consulates and embassies in Bern
93 other countries are represented in Bern, among them: Albania (embassy), Algeria (embassy), Angola (embassy), Argentina (embassy), Armenia (embassy), Australia (embassy), Austria (embassy), Spain (consulate general), Spain (embassy), Sweden (embassy), Thailand (embassy), Tunisia (embassy), Türkiye (embassy), Ukraine (embassy), United Arab Emirates (embassy), United Kingdom (embassy), United States (embassy), Uruguay (embassy), Venezuela (embassy), Vietnam (embassy). The full list of all 94 missions is on the overview page for Switzerland.
Closing days
The embassy is closed on Swiss public holidays and on the South African national holiday (27 April).
Emergency assistance
In the other direction, Swiss nationals in South Africa can turn to the Swiss Embassy in Pretoria (+27 12 452 06 60); the FDFA Helpline answers on +41 58 465 33 33 at any time.
Diplomatic missions between South Africa and Switzerland
South Africa in Switzerland
- Bern – Embassy of South Africa (this page)
- Geneva – Consulate General (Fribourg, Vaud, Valais and Geneva)
- Lugano – Honorary Consulate (Ticino)
Switzerland in South Africa
- Pretoria – Swiss Embassy
- Durban – Swiss Honorary Consulate
Frequently asked questions about the Embassy of South Africa in Bern
Does the FDFA warn against travel to South Africa?
There is no general FDFA travel warning for South Africa; check the current travel advice before you go.
Have you visited this office recently? Share your experience – for example the waiting time, how you got an appointment or which documents were asked for. Your tips help the next visitors and are published after review.
Details checked on 8 October 2026. Sources: Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) – list of the diplomatic and consular corps in Switzerland, FDFA travel advice for South Africa, dirco.gov.za/berne. Rules and opening hours can change. Confirm with the embassy before your visit.
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