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South Africa → Greece

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
South Africa
To
Greece
Inflow 2023—OECD
Data as at 2025
CR<GRSOUTH<AFRICA<GREECE<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
ZA5<GR3<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Migrant population

People born in South Africa who live in Greece: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

3,7427,48419901995200020052010201520202024
3,7427,48419902000201020202024
Data table
19901,755
19953,596
20005,497
20056,279
20107,317
20156,894
20207,045
20247,484
Estimate, 2024
7,484
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
0.53%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
26
Counted by
country of birth
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Greece's consulates in South Africa

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Greece's consulates located in South Africa.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
202412,65512,2263612.9%
202313,21912,7154203.2%
202211,98211,5693713.1%
202142341610.2%
20201,1791,010312.6%
201913,04312,6932892.2%
201812,70512,2344703.7%
201710,99810,6483503.2%
20168,8588,7201361.5%
201510,41910,3011131.1%
20149,8339,719690.7%
20138,9938,884520.6%
20128,2388,190480.6%
20119,0478,987600.7%
20108,5408,493470.6%
20098,4018,2961111.3%

Applications by year

6,61013k2009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
6,61013k200920122015201820212024
Data table
20098,401
20108,540
20119,047
20128,238
20138,993
20149,833
201510,419
20168,858
201710,998
201812,705
201913,043
20201,179
2021423
202211,982
202313,219
202412,655
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Greece

First residence permits issued by Greece to citizens of South Africa (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family60
  2. Other reasons36
  3. Work6
  4. Education3
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025105000
202476250
202363020
202261080
202175030
2020291720
2019490022
20183701120
2017290418
2016200617
2015170414
201420030
2013150270
2012120240
201117060
2010260110
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. EU Blue Card3
  2. Other paid activities3
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
662
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
5
Intra-corporate transferee permits, 2025
1
Seasonal work authorisations, 2024
6
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Embassy and consulates

Missions of Greece in South Africa, as recorded in Wikidata. Details change; the mission's official website is authoritative.

MissionCityOfficial website
EmbassyPretoriamfa.gr
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Compared with other corridors

Where else people from South Africa move (OECD, 2023).

Other destinations for people from South Africa, 2023
  1. New Zealand8,667
  2. Australia5,217
  3. Netherlands4,201
  4. United States3,180
  5. Germany1,478
  6. South Korea1,468
  7. Portugal773
  8. Japan629
  9. France303
  10. Belgium302
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more