South African passport holders have been dealt a setback after Spain expanded its visa-free travel programme to eight African countries—but South Africa was left off the list.
The move allows citizens from Rwanda, Mauritius, Botswana, Eswatini, Seychelles, Lesotho, Cape Verde, and Namibia to visit Spain for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. The decision is expected to boost tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange by removing the costly and time-consuming Schengen visa application process.
For South Africans, however, nothing changes. Travellers must still apply for a Schengen visa through a Spanish embassy, a process that involves extensive paperwork, appointments, supporting documents, fees, and waiting periods before approval.
Spain has not provided a specific reason for excluding South Africa, but visa policies are typically influenced by factors such as migration management, security considerations, diplomatic relations, and reciprocal agreements. While Spain has moved to ease travel restrictions for several African nations, it continues to adopt a cautious approach toward visa liberalisation for South Africa.
The decision comes despite growing diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries. Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Spain on a working trip following Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s 2022 visit to South Africa. The Presidency described the relationship as close and strategic, built on strong political cooperation and shared support for multilateralism and international law.
Economic ties have also strengthened significantly. Bilateral trade increased by 8.3%, rising from US$2.9 billion in 2024 to US$3.1 billion in 2025, while more than 150 Spanish companies have invested in South Africa over the past decade, creating more than 20,000 jobs.
Despite these growing links, South Africans remain excluded from Spain’s latest visa-free travel programme, meaning travellers will continue to face Schengen visa requirements until future diplomatic negotiations result in a change.
