Moving to Italy from South Africa
Quick answer
South Africa citizens can visit Italy visa-free for up to 90 days, but to live there they need a national (type D) visa obtained before travelling, then a permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of arriving. In addition, documents issued in South Africa need an Apostille under the Hague Convention plus an official Italian translation.
As a South Africa citizen you are a non-EU national, so you need a national (type D) visa before moving to Italy and a permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of arriving. You will also need your civil documents legalized for use in Italy. Approdo builds your exact checklist and pre-fills the forms.
- ✓Which visa fits your move (digital nomad, elective residency, study, work)
- ✓The 8-working-day permesso deadline, counted for you
- ✓Codice fiscale, residenza and tessera sanitaria, in order
Frequently asked questions
Do South Africa citizens need a visa to move to Italy?+
Yes. South Africa citizens can visit Italy visa-free for up to 90 days, but to live there you need a national (type D) visa from an Italian consulate before you travel. Which visa depends on your reason for moving.
How do I legalize my documents from South Africa for use in Italy?+
Civil-status documents issued in South Africa need an Apostille under the Hague Convention, plus an official Italian translation, to be valid in Italy. As South Africa is an Apostille Convention member, you obtain the Apostille from the competent authority at home before you travel.
Which visa do people from South Africa usually use to move to Italy?+
People moving from South Africa commonly use the digital nomad visa (for remote workers), the elective residency visa (for those with stable passive income), or study and work visas. Approdo matches the route to your situation.
What do I do after arriving in Italy from South Africa?+
Apply for your permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days, then get your codice fiscale, open a bank account, register your residenza at the comune, and enrol in the health service. Approdo lists them in the right order with the forms pre-filled.
Related guides
Approdo provides information, not legal or tax advice. Where a step legally requires a professional, we say so and point you to one.