South Africa
A solid all-round choice. Ranked 16 of 55, strongest on affordability, softest on safety.
- Healthcare 78
- Retiree visa 72
- Affordability 95
- Safety 28
- Climate 88
- Expat community 90
- Retirement visaYesRetired Person Visadha.gov.za
- Min incomeMediumdha.gov.za
- Monthly budget~$1,300-2,000,/monumbeo.com
- HealthcareGoodexpatica.com
- SafetyUse cautionecofinagency.com
- Top citiesCape Town, Knysna, Hermanus
Good to know
- Good healthcare accessTwo-tier system: an underfunded, overcrowded public sector and a high-quality private sector many rate on par with Europe. Foreign residents may use public care but most rely on private hospitals via medical aid or insurance.expatica.com
- Dedicated retirement visaRetired Person Visadha.gov.za
- Low cost of livingComfortable single-retiree budget roughly US$1,300-2,000, with Cape Town the priciest; single-person costs excluding rent are about R11,900 (~US$650).numbeo.com
- Comfortable climateLargely dry and semi-arid; the Cape has a Mediterranean climate (wet winters, dry summers), the east coast is subtropical, and the southern Garden Route is temperate with year-round rain.en.wikipedia.org
- Established expat communitySizeable, well-established expat and retiree communities, mainly in Cape Town and Johannesburg (large British and German contingents); English is widely spoken so English-speaking retirees integrate easily.expatica.com
Watch out for
- Safety needs attentionRanks 124th of 163 countries on the 2025 Global Peace Index; high violent and property crime rates mean personal-safety precautions are important, especially in cities.ecofinagency.com
Visa & residency
Guaranteed monthly income of at least R37,000 (about US$2,000) from a pension, annuity or investments; a minimum net worth of R37,000 is also referenced.
Income must come from a pension, retirement annuity or guaranteed source, not a salary. Available as a temporary Retired Person Visa or directly as permanent residence.
Healthcare
Two-tier system: an underfunded, overcrowded public sector and a high-quality private sector many rate on par with Europe. Foreign residents may use public care but most rely on private hospitals via medical aid or insurance.
Accessing the top private hospitals effectively requires private medical aid or international health cover, which is costly and rises with age.
Cost of living
Comfortable single-retiree budget roughly US$1,300-2,000, with Cape Town the priciest; single-person costs excluding rent are about R11,900 (~US$650).
In Cape Town, the main expat city, a one-bed city-centre apartment is about R16,700 per month (roughly US$900), far below comparable US cities.
Safety
Ranks 124th of 163 countries on the 2025 Global Peace Index; high violent and property crime rates mean personal-safety precautions are important, especially in cities.
Climate
Largely dry and semi-arid; the Cape has a Mediterranean climate (wet winters, dry summers), the east coast is subtropical, and the southern Garden Route is temperate with year-round rain.
Community & language
Sizeable, well-established expat and retiree communities, mainly in Cape Town and Johannesburg (large British and German contingents); English is widely spoken so English-speaking retirees integrate easily.
12 official languages including English; English is the main language of government and business and is widely spoken.
Taxes
Residence-based system: tax residents are taxed on worldwide income, so foreign pensions can be taxable, with a rebate (credit) for foreign tax paid; treaty terms may reassign taxing rights.
Has double-tax treaties with the US, UK, Netherlands, Canada and Australia.
Moving & migration
Foreign retirees can open a non-resident or resident bank account at major banks (Standard Bank, FNB, Absa, Nedbank) with a passport, proof of address, and proof of income. A resident account typically requires a valid visa or residence permit.
No reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Foreign residents must obtain private medical aid/insurance. Register with a medical scheme (list at medicalschemes.co.za) to access private hospitals and GPs.
Foreign driving licences must be converted to a South African licence. South Africa is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention. Apply at a Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) with your foreign licence, ID, photos, and fee. A practical test is normally not required if the licence is valid and in English.
Household goods and personal effects may be imported duty-free if you hold a valid visa/permit and the goods have been owned and used for at least 6 months. A detailed inventory, passport, visa, and bill of lading are required. Contact SARS Customs for the latest clearance procedures.
Dogs and cats require a veterinary import permit from the Director: Animal Health, a veterinary health certificate issued by an authorised vet in the exporting country within 10 days of travel, microchip identification, and valid rabies vaccination. Present original documents at the port of entry. See gov.za/services/import/import-animals-and-animal-products.
1. Apply for a Retired Person Visa (temporary residence) at a South African embassy/consulate abroad or via VFS Global. 2. Show guaranteed monthly income of at least R37,000 from pension/annuity/investments. 3. The visa is typically issued for up to 4 years and renewable. 4. Retired persons may also apply directly for permanent residence if they meet the financial requirements. Alternatively, after 5 years on a work visa (or immediately as a retiree), you can apply for permanent residency at the Department of Home Affairs. 5. After 5 years of permanent residence you may apply for citizenship.
Popular retirement spots
Where retirees in South Africa tend to settle, and the honest reason why. Each note shows its source.
Cape Town
A coastal city on the Atlantic with a mild Mediterranean climate, popular with expats for its long coastline and dry warm summers.
Knysna
A Garden Route lagoon town popular with British retirees and former expatriates for its year-round warm, temperate climate.
Hermanus
A coastal town on Walker Bay known for whale watching and long established as a popular retirement location in the Western Cape.
George
A Garden Route hub city with a mild oceanic climate and sophisticated infrastructure, roughly halfway between Cape Town and Gqeberha.
Questions about retiring in South Africa
Answered from the verified data on this page. Every answer shows its source; anything we have not confirmed says so plainly rather than guessing.
- Does South Africa have a retirement visa?
Yes. South Africa offers the Retired Person Visa.
dha.gov.za- How much monthly income do I need to retire in South Africa?
As a guide: Guaranteed monthly income of at least R37,000 (about US$2,000) from a pension, annuity or investments; a minimum net worth of R37,000 is also referenced. Treat this as indicative and verify the current official figure before you rely on it.
dha.gov.za- Is healthcare good for expats in South Africa?
Healthcare quality is rated good. Two-tier system: an underfunded, overcrowded public sector and a high-quality private sector many rate on par with Europe. Foreign residents may use public care but most rely on private hospitals via medical aid or insurance. On cost: Accessing the top private hospitals effectively requires private medical aid or international health cover, which is costly and rises with age.
expatica.com- How expensive is it to retire in South Africa?
Much lower than the US. A comfortable single-retiree budget is Comfortable single-retiree budget roughly US$1,300-2,000, with Cape Town the priciest; single-person costs excluding rent are about R11,900 (~US$650).
numbeo.com- Is South Africa safe?
Use caution. Ranks 124th of 163 countries on the 2025 Global Peace Index; high violent and property crime rates mean personal-safety precautions are important, especially in cities.
ecofinagency.com- What is the climate like in South Africa?
The climate is Semi-arid, with Mediterranean, subtropical and temperate zones. Largely dry and semi-arid; the Cape has a Mediterranean climate (wet winters, dry summers), the east coast is subtropical, and the southern Garden Route is temperate with year-round rain.
en.wikipedia.org- Where do retirees live in South Africa?
Popular retirement spots include Cape Town, Knysna, Hermanus and George.
en.wikipedia.org
Compare South Africa with its closest rivals
The three countries whose RetireScore sits nearest.
