South Africa passport → Italy

Do South African citizens need a visa for Italy?

Visa required in advance

South African passport holders need a visa for Italy, arranged before you travel. Depending on the country, that means an online application, a sponsor or agent, or an appointment at a visa centre.

Apply on the official site: vistoperitalia.esteri.it

What this means for your trip

Start early. Some countries take the whole application online; others need a visa-centre appointment for fingerprints, and waits can be long in peak season.
Typical documents: application form, photos, bank statements, tax returns, an employment letter, bookings and travel insurance.
If you already hold certain other visas, a simpler route may apply. Check the section below.

Get trip-ready for Italy

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Italy at a glance

Capital: Rome
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Languages: Italian
Calling code: +39
Region: Southern Europe

Read the Italy travel guide →

IT42.8°N · 12.8°EPhoto: FeaturedPics · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Ancient Rome, Renaissance art and real pizzaColosseum and Roman Forum · Vatican Museums and St Peter's · Florence

Italy for other passports

South AfricaVisa required
IndiaVisa required
United StatesVisa-free90 days
United KingdomVisa-free90 days
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free90 days
ChinaVisa required
SingaporeVisa-free90 days
PakistanVisa required
BangladeshVisa required
Sri LankaVisa required
NepalVisa required
NigeriaVisa required
PhilippinesVisa required

Nearby in Southern Europe for South African passport holders

KosovoVisa-free
AlbaniaeVisa
SerbiaeVisa
AndorraVisa required
Bosnia and HerzegovinaVisa required
CroatiaVisa required
GreeceVisa required
MaltaVisa required

Common questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Italy?

South African passport holders need a visa for Italy, arranged before you travel. Depending on the country, that means an online application, a sponsor or agent, or an appointment at a visa centre.

How long can South African citizens stay in Italy?

The allowed stay depends on the visa you are granted. Check the decision letter or entry stamp.

Can South African citizens get a visa on arrival in Italy?

Not under the standard rules.

How many countries can South African citizens visit without a visa?

93 destinations allow entry without a visa arranged in advance (visa-free, visa on arrival or eTA). The South Africa passport ranks #47 of 94 (passports with equal scores share a rank).

Source: Wikipedia contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0). Updated weekly. Rules can change, so give the official site a quick look before you fly.