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Entry requirements, documents, and updates for Italian passport holders.

General information only — always confirm final conditions with the competent authorities before you travel.

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Entry regime
Documents
Official sources

Data updated · Sources on the country page

Entry requirements

South Africa

For Italian citizens

Source level: policy

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Visa-free for 90 days

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs publishes a visa exemption list setting out, for each nationality and passport category, whether a port of entry visa is needed and for how long the exemption applies (90 days for every category of US passport, for example). It launched an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on 12 August 2026, piloted for travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico and initially available for arrivals at the OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka and Lanseria airports. Home Affairs requires at least one blank passport page for endorsements.

Visa

Not required

Document

Home Affairs lists a passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit, with at least one unused page for entry and departure endorsements, among the documents required to apply for a visa; for entering South Africa it lists a valid passport for the intended stay with at least one blank page for endorsements. The UK government says British passports must have an expiry date at least 30 days after the date you leave and at least 2 blank pages.

What you need to know

  1. Regime

    Visa-free for 90 days

  2. Detail

    Max stay · 90 days

  3. Notes

    South Africa's Department of Home Affairs publishes a visa exemption list setting out, for each nationality and passport category, whether a port of entry visa is needed and for how long the exemption applies (90 days for every category of US passport, for example). It launched an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on 12 August 2026, piloted for travellers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico and initially available for arrivals at the OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka and Lanseria airports. Home Affairs requires at least one blank passport page for endorsements.

  4. Passport validity

    Home Affairs lists a passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit, with at least one unused page for entry and departure endorsements, among the documents required to apply for a visa; for entering South Africa it lists a valid passport for the intended stay with at least one blank page for endorsements. The UK government says British passports must have an expiry date at least 30 days after the date you leave and at least 2 blank pages.

  5. Blank passport pages

    At least 1 blank passport page.

  6. Return or onward ticket

    Home Affairs lists a return or onward ticket among the requirements for visitors.

  7. Proof of funds

    Home Affairs says visitors must have sufficient funds to pay for their day-to-day expenses during their stay; it states no amount.

  8. Vaccinations

    Home Affairs lists yellow fever certificates among the requirements for entering South Africa if your journey starts in or passes through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

Before you go

  • Check your travel document validity.
  • Review any official updates.
  • Keep contact details for the relevant authorities.

Entry requirements can change: always confirm the latest information with the competent authorities before departure.