The Embassy of South Africa in Madrid is South Africa’s diplomatic mission to Spain. South African nationals in Spain turn to it for passports and official documents.
Contact Details
| Address | C/ Claudio Coello, 91, 6º y 7º, 28006 Madrid, Spain |
| Telephone | +34 91 436 37 80 |
| Fax | +34 91 577 74 14 |
| madrid.embassy@dirco.gov.za | |
| Website | dirco1.azurewebsites.net/madrid/sp |
| Social Media | |
| Head of Mission | Sankie Dolly Mthembi-Mahanyele, Ambassador |
| National Day | 27 April |
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Tuesday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Wednesday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Thursday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Friday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
Public hours as listed by the Spanish Foreign Ministry (the list does not name the days; embassies are normally open Monday to Friday). Please confirm before your visit, especially on Spanish and South African public holidays.
Location of the Embassy
Before your visit
The embassy is located at C/ Claudio Coello, 91, 6º y 7º, 28006 Madrid.
- Public hours (Spanish Foreign Ministry list): 08:30–16:30 (days not specified).
- Preparation: check the required documents on the embassy website and bring originals with copies.
About the South African Embassy in Madrid
The ambassador is Sankie Dolly Mthembi-Mahanyele, listed by the Spanish Foreign Ministry since 23 September 2022. The Spanish diplomatic list names 5 accredited diplomats and attachés for the embassy. Five honorary consulates support South African citizens in other parts of Spain.
Consular services
Requests the consular staff deal with:
- South African passports and emergency travel documents
- Registration of births, marriages and deaths
- Powers of attorney and notarial acts
- Certificates for pensions abroad
- Citizenship and civil register matters
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.
Do I need an appointment?
Many consular services require an appointment – check the embassy website first.
Do Spanish citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Spanish citizens do not need a visa for short tourist stays in South Africa (up to 90 days). The Spanish Foreign Ministry advises extreme caution in South Africa and warns against travel to certain areas. Details: Spanish travel advice (Recomendaciones de viaje).
Closing days
Like most offices in Spain, the embassy closes on public holidays as well as on the South African national day, 27 April. Regional holiday to note: the Community of Madrid Day (2 May). Check before visiting around Christmas, Easter (Holy Week) and local fiestas.
Emergency assistance
In an emergency, South African citizens should call the embassy on +34 91 436 37 80. Consular staff can replace lost travel documents and inform family members; they do not provide legal representation or money. The Spanish emergency number is 112.
Diplomatic missions of South Africa in Spain
South Africa in Spain
- Madrid – Embassy of South Africa (this page)
- Bilbao – Honorary Consulate General
- Barcelona – Honorary Consulate
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria – Honorary Consulate
- Málaga – Honorary Consulate
- Palma de Mallorca – Honorary Consulate
Frequently asked questions about the Embassy of South Africa in Madrid
What is the address of the South African Embassy in Spain?
At C/ Claudio Coello, 91, 6º y 7º, 28006 Madrid.
What are the opening hours of the South African Embassy in Madrid?
According to the Spanish Foreign Ministry’s list: 08:30–16:30 (days not specified). Confirm before visiting.
Who is the ambassador of South Africa to Spain?
Sankie Dolly Mthembi-Mahanyele, according to the Spanish diplomatic list of 30 September 2026.
Is the South African Embassy closed on the national day?
The Spanish diplomatic list gives 27 April as the national day of South Africa; embassies usually close or hold a reception on that day.
Do Spanish citizens need a visa for South Africa?
No, not for short tourist stays (up to 90 days) – check the Spanish travel advice before booking.
Details checked on 9 October 2026. Sources: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Lista del Cuerpo Diplomático (as of 30 September 2026), Spanish travel advice for South Africa, dirco1.azurewebsites.net/madrid/sp. Rules and opening hours can change. Confirm with the embassy before your visit.
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