Move to South Africa
Everything a future South Africa settler needs to know. Residency, money, safety — the stuff the tourism board won't put on a poster.
South Africa at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
5 years
to permanent residency
10 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Must hold permanent residency for 5 years before applying.
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Dependents can accompany on the remote work visa but cannot work in South Africa.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in South Africa
One city, no paradox of choice
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$1,026
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 1 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$15,456
GDP per capita
27%
Corporate tax
32.4%
Unemployment
4.4%
Inflation
High inequality — gated communities exist for a reason.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
7.16/10
🏚️ Flawed democracy
79
/100Freedom House score
#124 of 163
Global Peace Index
#26
Press freedom rank
Is South Africa safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Do your research. Seriously.
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Afrikaans
Primary language
Very High
English proficiency (#13 globally)
Most people speak decent English. You can survive without Afrikaans, but your landlord will respect you more if you try.
❓ Moving to South Africa — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in South Africa?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Cape Town ranks #1 in South Africa with a score of 54/100. City-centre rent starts around $1026/month.
How much does it cost to live in South Africa?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $1026 to $1026/month across our 1 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $1,658.
How do I get permanent residency in South Africa?▾
The path to permanent residency in South Africa typically takes 5 years. Citizenship is possible after 10 years. Note: Must hold permanent residency for 5 years before applying.
Is South Africa a democracy?▾
South Africa scores 7.16/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Flawed democracy." It ranks #124 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is South Africa safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in South Africa is 45.5 per 100,000 people. Research specific neighborhoods before committing.