Bad news for South African passport holders
Spain has recently expanded its list of African countries eligible for visa-free access for up to 90 days. However, South Africa is not included on this list.
This means that South African citizens will still need to apply for a regular Schengen visa at an embassy to travel to Spain.
Spain’s decision to grant visa-free access to these eight African countries marks a significant step toward facilitating smoother travel and cultural exchange.
The list of countries includes:
- Rwanda
- Mauritius
- Botswana
- Eswatini
- Seychelles
- Lesotho
- Cape Verde
- Namibia
These countries can now enjoy short stays in Spain without having to undergo the visa application process, which often involves extensive paperwork, waiting times, and fees.
This newfound freedom is expected to encourage tourism, business travel, and cultural connections, benefiting both Spain and the African nations involved.
Despite being a major player on the continent, South Africa is notably absent from the list of countries that enjoy visa-free access to Spain.
The primary reasons for this exclusion lie in diplomatic and immigration considerations that Spain continues to evaluate.
Visa policies often reflect a complex balance of factors, including migration flows, security concerns, diplomatic relations, and reciprocity agreements.
South Africa’s visa requirements remain in place because Spain maintains a cautious approach to visa liberalisation with the country.
This could be due to concerns regarding irregular migration or other diplomatic factors that necessitate more detailed agreements or assurances before granting visa-free access.
South African citizens still need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Spain, which involves submitting documentation, attending appointments, and waiting for approvals.
While this process may seem cumbersome, it is a necessary step until further negotiations between Spain and South Africa take place.
The inclusion of these eight African countries in Spain’s visa-free list is a hopeful sign of increasing openness and cooperation.
It highlights Spain’s recognition of the importance of fostering stronger ties with Africa through easier travel, tourism, and business.
South Africa is strengthening ties with Spain
For South Africans, the visa requirement serves as a reminder of the ongoing diplomatic processes that shape international travel policies.
Earlier this year, President Ramaphosa travelled to Spain for a working visit. This visit followed an official visit to South Africa in 2022 by Spain’s President Sánchez, during which he extended an invitation for President Ramaphosa to make a reciprocal visit.
“South Africa and Spain maintain close and friendly bilateral relations, underpinned by strong and significant political ties,” said the Presidency.
The Presidency stated that South Africa and Spain maintain strong relations based on unity and dialogue, with South Africa firmly defending multilateralism during a period when these principles are increasingly under threat.
“Spain’s commitment to cooperation, respect for international law, and constructive engagement on global challenges reflects values that resonate deeply with South Africa.”
Following President Ramaphosa’s visit to Spain, the Presidency announced that Spain recognises South Africa as a strategic partner.
The statement highlighted Spain’s intention to strengthen its political, economic, and cultural cooperation with the African continent.
Despite this engagement, South Africa was not included in the newly updated list of visa-free African countries.
Bilateral trade between South Africa and Spain increased by 8.3%, rising from US$2.9 billion in 2024 to US$3.1 billion in 2025. This significant growth indicates the strengthening economic partnership between the two nations.
Over the past decade, more than 150 Spanish companies have invested in South Africa, creating over 20,000 jobs.
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