South Africa has one of the lowest Schengen visa refusal rates in Africa — 5.2% on the European Commission's 2025 statistics, against a 14.6% global average. A single Schengen C visa covers all 27 Schengen states. Apply through the country where you plan to spend the most nights, or your first port of entry if nights are equal.
South Africa holds one of the strongest Schengen visa profiles on the African continent — a 5.2% refusal rate on the European Commission's 2025 statistics, against 46.9% for Nigeria and a 14.6% global average. A single Schengen C visa (€90 / ZAR ~1,679 + service fees) gives access to all 27 European countries for up to 90 days.
Key Warnings
- Schengen travel insurance (minimum €30,000 coverage) is MANDATORY — your application will be rejected without it. Purchase before submitting your application.
- The fee increased to €90 in June 2024 (from €80). Children aged 6–11: €45. Children under 6: free. All fees non-refundable.
- Note the VAC provider for each country: Germany uses TLScontact, France uses CAPAGO, Italy uses VFS Global — do not go to the wrong centre.
Insider Tips
- South Africa's 5.2% refusal rate means most well-prepared applications are approved. Focus on a clean, complete document set rather than agonising over which country to apply through.
- Italy via VFS Global has the lowest service fee (ZAR 249 against ZAR 520–620 for Germany and France) and refused only 3.0% of South African applications in 2025 — the cheapest route is also one of the safest.
- A Schengen visa for South Africans opens all of Europe on a single stamp — Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland and 19 more.
Best Country to Apply Through
Rule: Apply through the country where you will spend the most nights. If equal, apply through your first port of entry into Schengen.
✅ Easiest for First Application
On the European Commission's 2025 consulate statistics, Greece refused just 1.8% of applications lodged in South Africa, Spain 2.3% and the Netherlands 2.9% — all across substantial volumes. Italy (3.0%) and Germany (3.5%) are close behind, and Italy via VFS Global also carries the lowest service fee.
⚠️ Hardest
- Switzerland — 11% refused
- France — 8.3% refused
- Poland — 7.9% refused
Switzerland refused 11.0% of South African applications in 2025 and Croatia 21.7% — still low by African standards, but several times the rate at Greece or Spain. France, which handles 32,905 applications, refused 8.3%.
All 27 Schengen Countries Compared
| Country |
Rejection |
Wait |
Proc. |
Difficulty |
Notes |
| 🇬🇷 Greece |
1.8% |
~2w |
10d |
1/5 Easy |
Low rejection rate. Good summer destination. Apply if Greece is your primary destination. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain |
2.3% |
~3w |
15d |
1/5 Easy |
BLS International in JHB and CPT. Good option if Spain is primary destination. |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
2.9% |
~2w |
15d |
1/5 Easy |
Good option. Netherlands Embassy Pretoria processes. Short appointment waits for SA applicants. |
| 🇮🇹 Italy |
3% |
~2w |
12d |
1/5 Easy |
VFS Global in 7+ locations — JHB, CPT, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Polokwane. Cheapest service fee. |
| 🇩🇪 Germany |
3.5% |
~2w |
15d |
1/5 Easy |
TLScontact in JHB, CPT, Pretoria, Durban, PE, Bloemfontein. Good option for first application. |
| 🇦🇹 Austria |
3.5% |
~2w |
15d |
1/5 Easy |
Good for Vienna or Austria-focused trips. Apply if Austria is your primary destination. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden |
5.2%† |
~3w |
10d |
2/5 Easy |
Sweden — Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Lapland — is famous for its design, Nordic food scene, and natural scenery |
| 🇳🇴 Norway |
5.7% |
~3w |
10d |
2/5 Easy |
Norway — the fjords, Northern Lights, Oslo, Bergen, Tromsø — is a bucket-list destination with natural spectacles unlike anywhere else |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium |
6% |
~3w |
10d |
2/5 Easy |
Belgium — Brussels (EU and NATO headquarters), Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp — is a key destination for South African business travellers, especially those working with EU institutions |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal |
7.2% |
~2w |
10d |
2/5 Easy |
Lowest rejection rate for SA applicants. Best choice for first Schengen application if itinerary is flexible. |
| 🇵🇱 Poland |
7.9% |
~1w |
7d |
2/5 Easy |
Fast processing, low rejection. Best for flexible itineraries or using Poland as gateway to Europe. |
| 🇫🇷 France |
8.3% |
~2w |
15d |
2/5 Easy |
CAPAGO in JHB, CPT, Durban. All decisions made at French Consulate JHB since Sep 2024. |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland |
11% |
~3w |
20d |
2/5 Easy |
Switzerland is not EU but is Schengen. Slightly higher rejection rate. Apply if Switzerland is primary destination. |
Rejection figures: European Commission (DG HOME) visa statistics for consulates, 2025 — 195,946 short-stay applications lodged in South Africa.
† marks a country with no visa-issuing consulate in South Africa — applications
are lodged through a representing member state, so the national rate is shown instead.
Required Documents (All Schengen Countries)
-
Valid South African passport
Minimum 3 months validity beyond your return date. Must have at least 2 blank pages. Include previous passports if they contain travel history.
-
Completed Schengen visa application form
Download from the specific country's embassy/consulate website. Sign before submission.
-
Two recent passport photos
35 × 45mm, white background, biometric ICAO standard, taken within 6 months.
-
Schengen travel insurance certificate
MANDATORY. Must cover all 27 Schengen states, minimum €30,000 medical coverage, for the full trip duration. Available from South African insurers.
-
Return flight itinerary
Confirmed return or onward booking showing entry and exit from Schengen. Does not need to be a paid ticket — a hold/reservation is accepted by most consulates.
-
Accommodation proof for full stay
Hotel bookings, Airbnb confirmation, or invitation letter from host with proof of their residency status.
-
Bank statements (last 3 months)
Must demonstrate sufficient funds. Guideline: minimum €100 per day of stay. Consistent income and savings are important.
-
Employment letter
Confirms position, salary, approved leave dates, and that your employment continues after return.
Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are collected at the VAC (Visa Application Centre) and stored for 59 months. If you have submitted biometrics for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months, you do not need to re-submit — check with your VAC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Schengen visa rejection rate for South Africans?
5.2%, on the European Commission's 2025 consulate statistics — 10,203 of the 195,946 short-stay applications lodged in South Africa were refused, down slightly from 5.6% in 2024. That is far below the 14.6% global average and a fraction of West African rates. By consulate: Greece 1.8%, Spain 2.3%, Italy 3.0%, Germany 3.5%, France 8.3%, Switzerland 11.0%.
Which Schengen country should South Africans apply through?
Apply through the country where you'll spend the most nights; if splitting time equally, through your first port of entry. Where the itinerary is flexible, the 2025 European Commission statistics favour Greece (1.8% refused), Spain (2.3%) and the Netherlands (2.9%). Italy at 3.0% also carries the lowest VAC service fee, ZAR 249.
How much does a Schengen visa cost for South Africans?
The standard Schengen C visa fee is €90 — about ZAR 1,679 at August 2026 rates, the same for all 27 countries. Service fees vary by provider: TLScontact ZAR 520, CAPAGO ZAR 620, VFS Global ZAR 188–249. Total including travel insurance is roughly ZAR 2,400–2,800 depending on the country.
Where do South Africans submit Schengen visa applications?
Different Schengen countries use different VAC providers in South Africa: Germany → TLScontact; France → CAPAGO; Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Greece → VFS Global; Spain → BLS International. Check the specific country's embassy website for your nearest centre. All major VAC providers have offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
What travel insurance do I need for a Schengen visa as a South African?
Schengen travel insurance is mandatory — your application will be rejected without it. Requirements: must cover all 27 Schengen countries, minimum €30,000 medical and repatriation coverage, valid for the full duration of your trip. Purchase from a South African insurer before submitting. Some credit cards include Schengen insurance — check your card benefits.