Moving To South Africa from The UK

South Africa is home to rich and varied biodiversity, with lions, leopards and African penguins to name a few creatures that call South Africa their home.

If you are considering making the move from the United Kingdom to South Africa, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick South Africa Facts:

Population: 59.39 million (2021 estimate)
Official Language: South Africa has 11 official languages, however, in Cape Town specifically most people speak English and Afrikaans – Afrikaans being the most spoken language in the north suburbs and English in the southern suburbs. Other languages being spoken to include Xhosa, Zulu, Pedi, French, Portuguese and German
GDP Per Capita: $7,055 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: Some of the world’s fastest animals call South Africa their home – the lion, cheetah and wildebeest can all be found in the area
Currency: South Africa Rand (R, ZAR). As of late 2023, $1 USD = R18.42, €1 EUR = R19.56, $1 CAD = R13.57, $1 AUD = R12.40, £1 = R22.301

Sections

1. Moving Costs to South Africa From The UK

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from different ports in the UK, and shipping it to various places in South Africa:

Origin Port	Destination Port	20FT	40FT
Birmingham	Cape Town	£2,100 - £2,500	£3,600 - £4,300
	Durban	£2,200 - £2,600	£3,700 - £4,400
	Johannesburg	£2,300 - £2,700	£3,800 - £4,500
	Pretoria	£2,400 - £2,800	£3,900 - £4,600
Liverpool	Cape Town	£2,000 - £2,400	£3,500 - £4,100
	Durban	£2,100 - £2,500	£3,600 - £4,200
	Johannesburg	£2,200 - £2,600	£3,700 - £4,300
	Pretoria	£2,300 - £2,700	£3,800 - £4,400
London	Cape Town	£1,900 - £2,300	£3,400 - £4,000
	Durban	£2,000 - £2,400	£3,500 - £4,100
	Johannesburg	£2,100 - £2,500	£3,600 - £4,200
	Pretoria	£2,200 - £2,600	£3,700 - £4,300
Manchester	Cape Town	£2,100 - £2,500	£3,600 - £4,300
	Durban	£2,200 - £2,600	£3,700 - £4,400
	Johannesburg	£2,300 - £2,700	£3,800 - £4,500
	Pretoria	£2,400 - £2,800	£3,900 - £4,600

All figures are in GBP;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (June 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to South Africa from the United Kingdom?

Whichever way you look at it, it’s quite a long journey down to South Africa from the United Kingdom. Some routes require connecting flights – such as those from Edinburgh Airport, and Gatwick to Johannesburg – so it’s a good idea to check your route before settling on an airport to ensure you’re picking the most efficient route.

London Heathrow to Cape Town – 11 hours, 35 minutes – £675
London Heathrow to Johannesburg – 11 hours – £480
London Gatwick to Cape Town – 11 hours, 50 minutes – £675
London Gatwick to Johannesburg – 13 hours, 35 minutes (connecting flight) – £520
Edinburgh to Cape Town – 14 hours, 30 minutes (connecting flight) – £505
Edinburgh to Johannesburg – 13 hours, 40 minutes (connecting flight) – £520

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to South Africa from the UK

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

To enter South Africa, Gov.uk says you will need your passport to:

Be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended exit date from South Africa
Have two blank pages for your visa

In some circumstances, you will need 6 months left on your passport, so it’s important to check this before you travel to avoid any issues.

No visa is needed if you want to visit South Africa for tourism purposes, or for business trips for up to 90 days. To work and live in South Africa, different rules will apply.

There are currency limits to what you can bring into South Africa. You can take in cash in South African rand up to 25,000 per person, and a combination of cash in other currencies to total 10,000 US dollars – if you are planning on bringing more than this, you must declare it.

There are currently no COVID-19 travel restrictions, but it’s advised that you keep up-to-date on any developments to ensure you are abiding by the most recent information at the time of travel.

4. Visa Requirements to South Africa from the UK

As we have previously stated, no visa is needed if you want to visit South Africa for tourism purposes, or for business trips for up to 90 days. But, if you want to work and live in South Africa, different rules will apply.

For individuals wanting to live in South Africa, you will need to submit an application for a temporary residence visa to the South African High Commission. This can take up to 90 days to be processed, so it’s best to do this as soon as possible to avoid delays or issues.

This visa type is suitable for those:

Wanting to retire in South Africa
Wanting to study in South Africa
Visit for medical grounds
To live with a relative or spouse
To work in South Africa

The South African Department of Home Affairs has the most up-to-date information.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in South Africa

While this article is covering South Africa as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in South Africa is 57.8% less expensive than that of the United Kingdom, with rent being around 76.4% lower.

Monthly Rental Prices in South Africa:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: R11,900+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: R7,770+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: R24,300+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: R15,800+

South Africa Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: R37,000+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: R25,500+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in South Africa

There is a double taxation treaty in place between the UK and South Africa to avoid the taxation of the same income in both countries.

If you are going to be working and earning a wage in South Africa, it is important that you seek a lawyer in South Africa to take you through the various steps to ensure you are operating legally and fairly while in the country. Gov.uk suggests that you do this via this link.

7. Working Rules in South Africa

To work in South Africa, you will need a visa. It is important to note that you must be deemed a skilled worker to obtain this – if your skills are not seen as ‘scarce’ in South Africa, you may struggle to get a visa for working purposes.

Gov.uk says that you will need the following to apply for a working visa:

A police certificate no older than 6 months
A medical report
A radiological report
An offer or contract of employment for a company in South Africa

If you are the spouse of a South African citizen, you can apply for a work endorsement permit which can give you permission to work in South Africa. More information on this can be found at VFS Global South Africa.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in South Africa

While the UK benefits from the NHS, offering free healthcare to those who need it, as well as elective private healthcare for a fee, the system in South Africa is slightly different.

Gov.uk tells us that South Africa does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK – meaning that any visitors need to have medical insurance in place before they travel to ensure they are able to access healthcare if it is needed during their visit.

The South African health system is in two parts: a public sector and a private. The private is fairly similar to the UK’s, with a high standard, while the public is not as comparable and may have lower standards of hygiene than in the UK’s state system.

If you need to bring medication with you into South Africa, you need to check that it is legal in the country, which should be done well in advance of your travels.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in South Africa

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you are needing to move to South Africa with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

To take your pet to South Africa from the UK, you will need to apply for a veterinary import permit. Gov.za suggests that you:

Complete the application form most suited to your request, and contact the Directorate for Animal Health if you are unsure as to which form you need to fill in
Pay for your veterinary import permit
Send your completed form and proof of payment to the Import Export Unit

For animals other than domesticated cats and dogs, you will need a different authorisation which can be obtained from the Registrar of Animal Improvement – more information can be found at Gov.za.

10. Similar Cities

The landscape of South Africa is hard to replicate in other countries, but the closest in terms of demography, culture and infrastructure is Botswana, according to the Country Similarity Index.

Botswana is a similarly wealthy country to South Africa situated in Sub-Saharan Africa. Both economies have featured steady growth, characterised by mining, tourism and agriculture.

Both countries are focused on animal well-being and welfare, with a special focus on wildlife conservation. This is especially important when considering tourism related to the wildlife in both of the countries.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to South Africa from the UK

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from the UK to South Africa, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from the UK to South Africa	Disadvantages of Moving from the UK to South Africa
Scenic Beauty: South Africa boasts diverse landscapes, including iconic natural wonders like Table Mountain and Kruger National Park	Safety Concerns: Some areas in South Africa may have safety and security challenges and crime rates can be a concern
Cultural Richness: South Africa has a rich cultural tapestry with a blend of diverse ethnicities, languages and traditions	Economic Disparities: While there are economic opportunities, the country faces disparities and some areas may experience higher levels of poverty
Outdoor Lifestyle: The country offers an outdoor lifestyle with opportunities for various outdoor activities	Traffic and Infrastructure: In major cities, traffic congestion can be an issue and infrastructure challenges may impact daily commuting
Affordable Living: The cost of living in South Africa can be lower than in the UK, providing affordability in various aspects of daily life	Healthcare System: While there are quality healthcare facilities, the healthcare system may face challenges in certain areas

Whatever you decide, it’s important that you understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to check Gov.uk for all the information you need.