Published on 29 June 2026

Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa

As the official representation of Switzerland, the Embassy covers all matters concerning diplomatic relations between the two countries. It represents Swiss interests in the areas of political, economic, financial and legal affairs, as well as science, education and culture.

Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa — © Whitecliffs/Linda de Beer

South Africa Cooperation Programme - SECO

SECO's cooperation programme 2025–2028 aims to support South Africa in tackling these issues and advancing a more competitive, sustainable, and inclusive urban economy.

Responsibilities

All consular services for the South African provinces of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West and Free State, as well as for the states of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, are provided by the Regional Consular Centre Southern Africa in Pretoria, which is attached to the local Embassy of Switzerland.

The Consulate General in Cape Town is responsible for the South African provinces of the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape.

• Banking Fraud: Warning to Swiss Bank Account Holders

  Swiss citizens living in South Africa have lately become victims of banking frauds. The perpetrators get access to details from Swiss or Liechtenstein banking accounts (names, addresses, signatures, credit balance, etc.) and use this information to forge orders to transfer money to bank accounts in Asia. To prevent such cases, the Embassy of Switzerland recommends Swiss or Liechtenstein bank account holders to be vigilant with their banking identity details and to request their bank not to send correspondence via postal service and not to process any written money transfer order without prior consultation of the bank account owner via the telephone number that is lodged with the bank (not the one on the instructions).

• Scam: Fraudulent Contractor

  The Embassy of Switzerland in Pretoria has become aware of a scam including a fraudulent contract of the company Fibre Ring and Youth Empowerment Project, based in South Africa making reference to the official Swiss Representation in South Africa. Neither the Swiss Embassy in Pretoria nor the office of the Swiss Development Cooperation based in Harare do host any connection with this contractor.

• SARS Online Traveller Declaration Requirement from 1 July 2026

  With effect from 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving South Africa will be required to submit an online traveller declaration before they travel. This declaration forms part of the SARS Customs process and is intended to assist travellers in meeting their legal obligation to declare goods, currency and any other relevant items in their possession. In general, all travellers entering or leaving South Africa by air, land, sea or rail must complete the declaration. The link to the online declaration and answers to FAQ can be found on the official SARS website: https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/