Directory of Services and general information

If you want to know how one obtains the German citizenhip or what the reasons for a possible loss may be, have a look at out cititzenship section on this website.

According to German law, the estate (located in Germany) of a deceased person comes under the principle of 'universal succession,' meaning that the heirs become owners of the deceased person's estate upon his death. The succession is determined either by law or by disposition in contemplation of death. (The executor, under South African law, is basically unknown to German law)

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Enlarge image German passport (© picture-alliance/ dpa/dpaweb) The following webpages contain only the most important information about German passports and are meant for the very few German citizens who do not speak German. Please check the German version of this webpage for complete information about German passports.

The German Embassy Pretoria issues passports to German citizens residing in South Africa. For children under the age of 12 with German citizenship, a child’s passport may also be issued instead of a regular passport.

Please note that passport applications can only be submitted with an appointment. Reach us by telephone during our specified office hours at  +27 (0)12 427 8977, or send us an e-mail.

You have to sign a document in front of a German Consular Officer? Following information was compiled to illustrate the two different forms of notarial certification according to German law, signature certification and notarisation of documents.

Enlarge image (© www.colourbox.com) This information is directed mainly at funeral parlours. Although German missions do issue urn permits to private individuals, the missions are not in a position to assist with any other arrangements and therefore strongly encourage private individuals to seek professional assistance via a funeral parlour in order to facilitate transportation of a deceased individual to Germany.

Germany has very strict laws on facilitating human remains. As a general rule, all coffins and urns must be buried at specially licensed cemeteries. Private individuals are not permitted to have urns in their possession.
 
Therefore, all transport to and within Germany must be handled by licensed funeral parlours. It is advisable that coffins and urns be shipped by a South African funeral parlour directly to a funeral parlour in Germany. Please clarify with the carrier/shipping agent what type of coffin is acceptable for transportation. No customs fees are levied in Germany for the import of a coffin/urn which contains human remains.

Corpse Transport Permit

In order to issue a corpse transport permit, German missions require the following documents:

The permit fee is 20,- € (the equivalent to be paid in ZAR cash or credit card at the relevant exchange rate  stipulated on that day by the German mission).

Urn Transport Permit

An urn transport permit may be needed to send an urn to Germany. Please verify the need for such a permit with your airline and receiving funeral parlour in Germany. In case a metal urn is to be shipped, please verify with the carrier if this is acceptable for shipment.

In order to issue an urn transport permit, the German missions require an original or certified copy of the following documents:

The permit fee is 20,- € (the equivalent to be paid in ZAR cash or credit card at the relevant exchange rate  stipulated on that day by the German mission).

Enlarge image Schengen Visa (© picture-alliance) Are you planing a short term visit to Germany? Do you want to visit a friend in Germany, attend a business meeting or maybe need medical treatment? Here you can find information on the application process and required documents. 

At the visa section of the German Embassy you can apply for so-called Schengen-Visas, for up to 90 days of accumulated stay. Or you can apply for long-term visas, such as employment or study visas. Have a look at the information for the various categories. 

Please note, that application submissions only possible after prior booking online or via phone 0861 00 22 45 (M-F, 8:00-17:00).

Visa - short term (Schengen)

Visa - long term

Enlarge image (© Radium Images) A document is generally recognized only in the country in which it was issued.

In order to facilitate the recognition of a document abroad, an international treaty regarding mutual recognition of documents was signed on October 5, 1961 by many countries, including South Africa and Germany. This treaty is called the “Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirements of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.” 

According to this treaty, a document originating in one Convention country is recognized in all other Convention countries provided  it bears the so-called "APOSTILLE" stamp. This stamp is a validation performed by the superior office in the country where the document was issued.

Apostilles for South African documents may be obtained at the

For more information visit DIRCO's website

Enlarge image Wedding (© www.colourbox.com) In Germany, marriage may be officiated only by a registrar. It is suggested that foreign citizens contact the appropriate registrar's office (Standesamt) for detailed information. An application should be filed at the registrar's office where either party has his or her residence. If neither party has a residence in the Federal Republic of Germany, one of the following central registrar's offices should be contacted:

These offices may grant permission to any registrar's office in their district to perform the function. A religious ceremony is optional. Parties must register their intention to marry with the registrar.

All foreigners marrying in Germany require an "Ehefähigkeitszeugnis" which is a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage stating that they are legally free to marry. South African Certificates of No Impediment may be obtained at the Department of Home Affairs.

More information from the Department of Home Affairs

An online Service has recently been introduced. Certificates of No Impediment can also be applied for through your nearest South African Mission abroad.

The registrar's office will provide the basic information. The registrar's office will also decide which personal documents are required. It is advisable to contact the registrar's office well in advance to make sure that the marriage can be contracted at the intended date. The registrar's office will answer any further questions which may arise.

The German Embassy keeps lists of lawyers, translators and interpreters. However, the Embassy takes no responsibility with regard to the professional competency of any of those individuals whose names appear on the respective lists.

Übersetzer/Translators Johannesburg, Pretoria [pdf, 74,17k]

Übersetzer/Translators in Kapstadt/Cape Town [pdf, 84,83k]

Anwälte/Lawyers in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kwazulu-Natal [pdf, 97,55k]

Anwälte/Lawyers in Kapstadt/Cape Town [pdf, 176,47k]

Import of household effects (including cars) when relocating to the Federal Republic of Germany

When moving to the Federal Republic of Germany you may import your household goods free of duties and border taxes if you meet the following requirements.
You are required to prove:

Exemption from custom duties is granted only for those goods you have used abroad, personally or professionally, for at least 6 months and which you will continue to use in Germany for at least another 12 months. Food and similar perishable items are restricted to quantities normally stored at home; however liquor and tobacco items may not enter duty-free.

Enlarge image (© colourbox) All removal goods should be imported close to the time of your own arrival and registered with the German customs authorities within 12 months after establishing residence in Germany. Should this be impossible, you are requested to submit proof that the goods could not be imported at that time, in which case the entry must be effected as soon as the cause for this delay has been removed but no later than 3 years after your actual move. 

Customs regulations regarding a traveler's customary personal effects are not affected by the above listed rules. Please note that there are special regulations regarding the importation of some items like guns, rifles, ammunition, machinery for the production of such articles, pets, plants, etc.
Details and the necessary customs forms may be obtained through your shipping company. It is recommended that you choose a moving company experienced in shipping to Germany.

Motor Vehicles

The duty-free import of a motor vehicle is permitted only if it has been registered in your name as its sole owner and personally used by you at your previous residence for at least 6 months before moving (for proof, present registration certificate issued by your local Traffic Department).
Please note that you might be required to convert your vehicle to German standards.