Planning a workation in Cape Town? Or a business trip to Johannesburg or Durban? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in South Africa, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein
Telephone code
+27
Official language
11 languages, incl. English, Afrikaans, Zulu
Currency
South African Rand (ZAR)
Time zone
UTC+2
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. South Africa has social security agreements with several countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
South Africa has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries, available here, that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation. These treaties generally follow international standards and provide guidelines for various types of income, including employment income.
Despite the existence of tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in South Africa. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in South Africa, the employer may be required to:
- Register the company locally
- Allocate profits to the local business (branch)
- File corporate taxes
- Comply with various local regulations
To avoid this scenario, follow the guidelines mentioned in the "Do's and Don'ts to avoid tax risks" section above.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to South Africa are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. Please find the recent information about minimum salary in South Africa here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to South Africa, here's a quick overview:
- E-Visa: Available for certain nationalities, including India and Kenya.
- Visa-Free Entrance: Available to many nationalities including UK, USA, Canada, and EU countries.
- Standard Visa: Required for nationalities not eligible for e-visa or visa-free entry.
- Visa on Arrival: Generally not available; most visas must be obtained in advance.
- Digital Nomad Visa: South Africa introduced a Digital Nomad Visa in 2024 for remote workers, valid for one year with possible renewal. Applicants must demonstrate proof of remote work and meet a specific income requirement.
For a trip-specific visa information, check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning a business trip to South Africa, here's what you need to know:
- E-Visa Option: Available for eligible nationalities.
- Visa-Free Entry: Many nationalities can conduct business visits without a visa.
- Business Visa: Required for activities not covered by visa-free entry.
- Visa on Arrival: Not available for business travelers.
For a trip-specific visa information, check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in South Africa work from Monday to Friday* with a standard workweek consisting of 45 hours. The workday is typically running from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a lunch break of 1 hour in between.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
National holidays:
- January 1: New Year's Day
- March 21: Human Rights Day
- Date varies: Good Friday
- Date varies: Family Day
- April 27: Freedom Day
- May 1: Workers' Day
- June 16: Youth Day
- August 9: National Women's Day
- September 24: Heritage Day
- December 16: Day of Reconciliation
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 26: Day of Goodwill
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. South Africa has implemented the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized moderate. That means the legal framework provides adequate data protection but may lack comprehensive scope, enforcement, or detail. While key areas are covered, certain sectors or practices remain less regulated. Learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
10111 (Police), 10177 (Ambulance)
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Safe in urban areas, not recommended in rural areas
Travel health insurance
When traveling to South Africa for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Follow the general cautionary measures.
Domestic political situation
Due to significant social disparities in the country, protests and demonstrations can occur. Violent clashes and traffic disruptions cannot be ruled out. For example, there have already been repeated violent incidents in the Emalahleni area (on the main route between Johannesburg and tourist destinations in the east of the country, such as the Blyde River Canyon and Kruger National Park).
- Stay informed through local media.
- Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings from a distance.
- Follow the instructions of local security forces.
Crime
South Africa has a high crime rate, especially in major cities and their outskirts, as well as informal settlements (so-called “townships”). This includes violent crimes such as robberies, rape, and murder. Gender-based violence is also common. Travelers may become victims of short-term kidnappings, robbery, theft, break-ins, and similar offenses. Multiple cases have been reported where solo female travelers using app-based ride services (e.g., Uber) were drugged and/or became victims of sexual assault.
- Handbags are frequently snatched on the streets, especially in city centers. Thefts also occur in hotel restaurants and rooms.
- ATMs are often subject to tampering or attempted scams by individuals pretending to assist with withdrawals but aiming to swap debit/credit cards for fake ones or steal the PIN. Other scams and credit card fraud are also widespread.
- Travelers or groups may be stopped and robbed on highways or access roads by vehicles falsely posing as police. The routes to and from the airports in Johannesburg and Pretoria are particularly affected. Robberies have also occurred on alternative routes.
- In heavy traffic and at red lights, “smash-and-grab” robberies are common, where car doors are opened or windows broken to steal valuables from the vehicle. After dark, vehicle hijackings at less-trafficked intersections (“carjackings”) are a risk.
- On highways in urban outskirts, particularly when transiting through certain suburban areas (e.g., Cape Town: N2 route to and from the airport, Cape Town-Stellenbosch/Somerset West route; Pretoria: N4 route to Pilanesberg or Lanseria Airport on the N14), there is an increased risk of “spiking” at dawn and dusk. Vehicles are forced to slow down or stop due to rocks or obstacles, leading to passenger robberies.
Safety tips
- Carry a mobile phone during your stay in South Africa but avoid displaying it visibly in urban areas. South African SIM cards (with internet and call credit) can be purchased affordably upon arrival at the airport.
- Keep money, IDs, driver’s licenses, and other important documents safe; carry a certified copy and store electronic copies/photos as a backup to facilitate replacement in case of theft or loss.
- Avoid displaying valuables and opt not to carry large, expensive handbags.
- Keep an eye on your valuables in bars or restaurants.
- Be cautious of drinks spiked with drugs like “knockout drops” or other sedatives intended to facilitate rape or robbery. Do not accept food or drinks from strangers, and do not leave your food and drinks unattended in restaurants.
- Solo female travelers should use the safety features of app-based ride services (e.g., Uber) after dark and stay in contact with someone by phone/messenger during the ride.
- Prefer cashless payments and carry only the cash needed for the day, leaving unnecessary valuables at home.
- Never let your credit card out of sight; insist on using a portable card reader.
- Choose ATMs in shopping centers, supermarkets, or banks, and avoid being observed or assisted by strangers.
- Avoid driving between cities after dark.
- Avoid city centers in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and other major cities after business hours, especially after nightfall. Only visit city centers in groups on Sundays and public holidays. Exercise caution even during the day.
- Do not resist during a robbery; cooperate, as perpetrators may be armed and willing to use knives or firearms.
- Always keep car windows closed and doors locked from the inside.
- Avoid hitchhiking or picking up hitchhikers.
- Never leave handbags, cameras, mobile phones, or other valuables visible in the car; transport them in the locked trunk.
- Stay vigilant while waiting at major intersections and maintain sufficient distance from other vehicles.
- Undertake excursions in groups whenever possible. Solo travelers should join larger tour groups.
- When visiting nature areas, parks, and well-known sights, avoid isolated roads or trails and deserted areas. Only visit townships in an organized manner and with a local guide.
- Backpackers should ensure their accommodations are safe. Travel guides provide recommendations for backpacker hostels, but caution is still advised.
- Be wary of unfamiliar emails, phone calls, prize notifications, offers, and requests for help from supposed acquaintances. Do not share personal data, and verify credibility personally or contact the police if needed.
South Africa has varied climate zones:
Summer (December to February):
- Hot and sunny
- Temperatures 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Afternoon thunderstorms in some regions
- Peak tourist season
Winter (June to August):
- Mild in coastal areas
- Cold inland, especially at night
- Temperatures 5°C to 20°C (41°F to 68°F)
- Dry season in most regions
Spring (September to November) and Autumn (March to May):
- Moderate temperatures
- Pleasant conditions
- Ideal for outdoor activities
- Less crowded tourist sites
Airports
OR Tambo International Airport (JNB)
- Location: Johannesburg
- When to use: Main international hub, excellent connections worldwide
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
- Location: Cape Town
- When to use: Major tourist destination, international flights
King Shaka International Airport (DUR)
- Location: Durban
- When to use: East coast access, domestic and regional flights
Train stations
Park Station (Johannesburg)
Largest railway hub in Africa
- Routes to Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth
- International connections to Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique
- Gautrain high-speed rail link to Pretoria and OR Tambo Airport
Cape Town Station
Southern hub
- Routes to Johannesburg, Pretoria
- Regional services to Western Cape
- Tourist routes including luxury trains
Durban Station
Eastern coastal hub
- Routes to Johannesburg
- Regional KwaZulu-Natal services
- Port connections
Additional services:
- Gautrain (High-speed rail in Gauteng province)
- Luxury tourist trains (Blue Train, Rovos Rail)
- Metrorail (Urban rail in major cities)
Ride-hailing services
- Uber
- Bolt
- InDriver
Public transportation
- Bus Rapid Transit systems in major cities
- Minibus taxis (shared transportation)
- Metered taxis
- Metropolitan bus services