- Capital
- Rome (ROM)
- Dialing Code
- + 39
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +1
- Daylight Savings Time
- Last Sunday of March to last Sunday of October: UTC / GMT +2
- Language
- Italian (dialects vary across regions)
- Best Time to Go
- April - June & September - October
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
Travel Tips
- In August, many Italians also go on holiday, making the holiday regions very busy, but the urban areas quieter
- Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, including fountains (unless there is a sign to indicate otherwise)
Last updated 21 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
The Italian Embassy, Pretoria
796 George Ave, Arcadia, 0083
Telephone: 012 423 0000
E-mail: consolato.pretoria@esteri.it
Website: ambpretoria.esteri.it
Contact Hours: Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 16:00, Friday 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
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1, 6
April: 5-6, 25
May: 1
June: 2
August: 15
November: 1
December: 8, 25 - 26
Visa Application Centre
Visa Applications through VFS Global.
Telephone: 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
Website: visa.vfsglobal.com/jhn/en/ita
Hours: Monday - Friday 08:00-20:00, Saturday - Sunday 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
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
- For Malta, the same procedures will apply.
Requirements
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 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)
Visa Forms
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy in Rome
Via Tanaro 14, 00198, Rome
Telephone: +39 06 8424 2237
E-mail: rome.consular@dirco.gov.za
Website: lnx.sudafrica.it/en