Living in South Africa
Africa — Expat guide for moving and living abroad
Country overview
Capital
Pretoria
Currency
ZAR
Continent
Africa
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Entry requirements
Check if your passport needs a visa for South Africa.
Check visa requirementsPopular passport access to South Africa
| Passport | Status | Max Stay |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Austria | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Belgium | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Bulgaria | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Croatia | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Cyprus | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Czechia | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Denmark | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Estonia | Visa Free | 90 days |
| Finland | Visa Free | 90 days |
Detailed visa guides for South Africa
Monthly costs
Cape Town
Rent (center)
12,000 ZAR/mo
Groceries
4,000 ZAR/mo
Transport
800 ZAR/mo
Est. Monthly Total
18,800 ZAR/mo
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Work permits
South Africa offers a Digital Nomad / Freelance visa option.
-
General Work Visa
Duration: 5 years
Job offer, skills in demand
-
Digital Nomad Visa
Duration: 1 year, renewable
Remote workers
Salary & tax
Income Tax Range
18% – 45%
Social Security (Employee)
0.01%
Annual thresholds in ZAR. Digital Nomad Visa launched 2024.
Calculate your net salaryUseful services
Insurance
SafetyWing
Nomad health insurance for your stay in South Africa. Monthly subscription, cancel anytime.
Get a SafetyWing quote →Connectivity
Airalo
South Africa eSIM data plans from $4.50. Activate before you land — no SIM swap.
Get an Airalo eSIM →Privacy
NordVPN
Stay secure on public WiFi in South Africa and access services from home.
Get NordVPN →Language
iTalki
Book 1-on-1 video lessons with native tutors before you move. 150+ languages.
Find a tutor →