Studying abroad in South Africa is possible, but it needs careful preparation. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not apply there. The Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) names a narrow purpose for visas and advises against visiting the city centres of some cities. This guide summarises what is documented and names the offices to ask.
Study abroad in South Africa at a glance
| Point | Status October 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The EHIC does not apply. We have not found a social security agreement that covers health insurance | DVKA, European Commission |
| Visa | Only for non-tourist purposes. The application is made through the embassy in Berlin | Federal Foreign Office |
| Travel advice | No nationwide travel warning. Advice against visiting the city centres of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Gqeberha and Durban | Federal Foreign Office |
| Tuition fees | No verified amount. They depend on the exchange agreement of your home university | Host university |
| Living costs | 800 euros per month as a DAAD guideline rate (list without date) | DAAD, scholarship rates |
| Study grant abroad (Auslands-BAföG) | Possible. Responsible office according to the DSW: Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg | DSW, leaflet January 2026 |
The information is general and not individual advice. The official pages of the authorities named here are authoritative.
How are you insured in South Africa?
EHIC and social security agreement
South Africa is not part of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland. The EHIC therefore does not apply there. According to the European Commission, the card applies in the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. We have not found a social security agreement with South Africa that covers health insurance in the overview of the German liaison office for health insurance abroad (DVKA). We therefore name none.
You must arrange treatment in South Africa yourself. Ask your health insurer in writing before you leave which services it covers abroad. Our guide Health insurance during a study abroad semester (in German) explains the basics.
Travel health insurance and repatriation
The Federal Foreign Office recommends adequate travel health insurance cover. A repatriation insurance is a sensible addition. Check whether the policy covers repatriation and treatment that can wait until your return. Background is in our guide Travel health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and work and travel (in German). Privately insured students will find the basics in PKV for students outside the EU (in German).
Discuss which vaccinations are sensible for South Africa with your doctor or a travel medicine clinic. That decision does not belong in a general guide.
Do you need a visa for South Africa?
According to the Federal Foreign Office, a visa for South Africa is required only for non-tourist purposes. You apply at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Berlin. For tourist stays, the office states that no visa is needed.
The Federal Foreign Office does not explicitly say whether a study stay counts as a non-tourist purpose or which documents would be required. We therefore set no rule of our own. Ask the embassy in Berlin and your host university before you accept the place. The travel and security advice for South Africa is on the country page of the Federal Foreign Office (auswaertiges-amt.de).
Travel advice and security situation
For South Africa, the Federal Foreign Office has no nationwide travel warning. It does advise against visiting the central business districts (CBD) of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Durban. This statement applies in the version dated 24 October 2026.
The caution applies mainly because of crime. Read the current advice shortly before you leave, and ask your host university about local rules on accommodation, transport and evenings.
What does a study abroad semester in South Africa cost?
Tuition fees
Which fees your host university charges depends on the exchange agreement with your home university. We have not found a reliable sum, so we name none. Ask both universities for the exact amount before you accept, and what the semester fee includes.
Living costs
The DAAD scholarship rates list a guideline of 800 euros per month for students in South Africa. This is an orientation, not a budget. The list carries no date. Ask your host university for guideline figures for exchange students, especially for housing and food on site.
Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG
The Erasmus+ programme guide of the European Commission lists South Africa among the partner countries of region 9 (Sub-Saharan Africa). These countries take part in certain measures only under specific conditions. Whether your exchange runs under Erasmus+ and what funding you receive is decided by your university. More in our guide Erasmus and planning a study abroad semester (in German).
Study grant abroad (Auslands-BAföG) is possible for part of a degree abroad. For South Africa, the leaflet of the Deutsches Studierendenwerk (DSW) of January 2026 names the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg as the responsible office. A supplement may apply if living costs abroad are higher than in Germany. The amount follows the BAföG foreign supplement regulation. Details are in Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German).
Worked example: For a stay of five months at the DAAD guideline of 800 euros a month, living costs come to 4,000 euros. Flights, tuition fees and the semester fee of your home university are not included. The total is a guide, not a promise.
What to clarify with your host and home university
Before you leave, clarify which courses you will take and how they will count towards your degree. A learning agreement records this and should be signed by both universities before the start. Ask also about accommodation, because places for exchange students are often scarce and the deadlines are short.
If you receive BAföG, report the stay abroad to the responsible office in good time. Plan the time to collect proof of insurance, visa documents and payments. Those who complete these steps early avoid bottlenecks shortly before departure.
How to prepare
- Ask your health insurer or private health insurer in writing which services apply in South Africa.
- Take out travel health insurance with repatriation, because the EHIC does not apply.
- Apply for the visa at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Berlin if your stay is not for tourist purposes. Check in advance which documents apply.
- Read the travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office shortly before departure and note the advice on city centres.
- Clarify vaccinations with your doctor or a travel medicine clinic.
- If you want Auslands-BAföG, apply to the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg well before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Does my European Health Insurance Card work in South Africa?
No. According to the European Commission, the card applies only in the countries named there. For South Africa you need travel health insurance that also covers repatriation.
Do I need a visa for South Africa?
According to the Federal Foreign Office, a visa is required only for non-tourist purposes. Whether a study stay counts is a question for the embassy in Berlin.
Is there a travel warning for South Africa?
The Federal Foreign Office has no nationwide travel warning. It does advise against visiting the city centres of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Gqeberha and Durban.
Who is responsible for Auslands-BAföG in South Africa?
According to the DSW leaflet of January 2026, the Studierendenwerk Ost:Brandenburg.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office, travel and security advice for South Africa (status 24 October 2026)
- European Commission, FAQ on the European Health Insurance Card (no date)
- German liaison office for health insurance abroad (DVKA), overview of social security agreements
- DAAD, scholarship rates for students and graduates (no date)
- European Commission, Erasmus+ Programme Guide Part A, eligible countries (no date)
- German Student Services Organisation (DSW), leaflet on Auslands-BAföG (status January 2026)
- BAföG foreign supplement regulation, gesetze-im-internet.de (no date)
Sources retrieved on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
Related articles
- Study abroad in Kenya (in German)
- Study abroad in Ghana (in German)
- Health insurance during a study abroad semester (in German)
- Auslands-BAföG: requirements, amount and supplements (in German)
- Study Abroad Countries: Insurance, Visa and Costs
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
