Country guide

Italy

Visa

Visa required

Vaccinations

None required

Schengen area

Yes

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time zones

UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa). Daylight savings From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa)

Dialing code

+ 39

Best time to go

April - June and mid-September – October. From July – September there are many holiday makers. In August, many Italians also go on holiday, making the holiday regions very busy, but the urban areas may be quieter during this month.

Drinking water

Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, including fountains unless there is a sign to indicate otherwise.

Visa guide

Visa requirements

Visas are required by South African passport holders.

Italy is a member of the Schengen Agreement.

If you intend to visit only Italy, you must apply at the Embassy of Italy / Visa Application Centre.
If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay.
If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry.

NOTE: For Malta, the same procedures will apply.

See General Schengen Requirements

In addition:

Colour ID Photos (x2)
Completed visa form and checklist
Photocopy of personal information page of passport, and previous visas
Proof of transport: Confirmed Ticket / Booking proving the arrival into and out of Schengen, into and out of Italy and all other booked internal transfers or modes of transport
Proof of funds: Must be proven by providing a 3 months’ bank statement confirming the availability of funds in Rands with a minimum equivalent of 30 Euros per day for the duration of the stay, in excess of the confirmation of accommodation
Proof of residence in SA: In the form of a utility bill or bank statement.
Biometric information must be collected at VFS Global - all applicants to appear in person. Appointments must be booked online.

Visa application centre

Visa Applications through VFS Global.
Tel: 012 425 3048
Email: info.itza@vfshelpline.com

Take note of areas of jurisdiction when applying.

Consulate in Cape Town: Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape

Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/ita
Hours: 08:00-12:30 & 13:30-17:00

Cape Town: 21st Floor The Towers, corner Hertzog Boulevard and DF Malan Road, Cape Town
George: Eagles View 5 Progress Street, George
Port Elizabeth: 1st Floor, Office 7C Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre, c/o 17th avenue and Main Road, Walmer

Consulate General in Johannesburg: Gauteng, Free State, North-West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Botswana

Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/jhn/en/ita
Hours: Mon-Fri: 08:00-20:00, Sat-Sun: 09:00-13:00

Bloemfontein: Ground Floor, PHG Building / Noble House, 196 Nelson Mandela Dr, Brandwag
Durban: Second Floor, Liberty Life Building, 21 Aurora Drive, Durban
Nelspruit: 2nd Floor The Pinnacle Building, 1 Parkin Street, Nelspruit
Pretoria: Brooklyn Pavilion, 217 Bronkhorst Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Polokwane: Maneo Building, 73 Biccard St, Polokwane Central, Polokwane
Sandton (JHB): Bowmans Building 3rd Floor, 11 Alice Lane, Sandton

Issuing authorities

The Italian Embassy, Pretoria

796 George Ave, Arcadia, 0083
Tel: 012 423 0000
E-mail: consolato.pretoria@esteri.it
Web: ambpretoria.esteri.it
Contact Hours: Mon-Thur: 09:00-16:00, Fri: 09:00-14:00

Visa Office: 012 423 0025 / visti.pretoria@esteri.it

Area of competency: Pretoria, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia

Consulate-General of Italy, Johannesburg

37 Cnr First Ave and 2nd Street, Houghton Estate 2198
Tel: 011 728 1392/3
Email: info.johannesburg@esteri.it
Web: consjohannesburg.esteri.it/en/
Contact Hours: Mon - Fri 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-15:00

Visa Office: visa.johannesburg@esteri.it

Area of competency: Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, Limpopo, North West, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Botswana.

Consulate of Italy, Cape Town

2 Grey's Pass, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001 (Entrance in Dean Street)
Tel: 021 487 3900 (email is preferred as the phones may be unmanned during public hours)
Email: consolato.capetown@esteri.it
Web: conscapetown.esteri.it

Hours: Mon, Tues, Fri: 09:00-12:00
Thur: 09:00-12:00 &14:00 -16:00

Visa Office: visa.capetown@esteri.it

Area of competency: Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape

Visa processing time

Apply at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit. Not more than 6 months before the visit.

Visa validity

Stays of up to 90 days in a 180 day period

Visa cost

Adults: EUR90
Children (6-12): EUR45
Children (under 6): Free
Payable in ZAR to VFS - refer to VFS website for the relevant exchange rate.

VFS Service Fee: R188 - R249 (dependent on area of competency)

SA representative

South African Embassy in Rome
Via Tanaro 14, 00198, Rome
Tel: +39 06 8424 2237
E-mail: rome.consular@dirco.gov.za
Web: lnx.sudafrica.it/en

Health / vaccinations

Compulsory: None
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio

Public holidays

2026: Jan 1, 6; Apr 5-6, 25; May 1; Jun 2; Aug 15; Nov 1; Dec 8, 25-26