Spain (Kingdom of)

Spain (Kingdom of)

History of Relations

South Africa and the Kingdom of Spain enjoy warm and stable relations that are once again being advanced by the new Spanish Coalition government that was formed in January 2020 and led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) and Deputy President Pablo Iglesias of the Unidas Podemos party (PODEMOS).

Bilateral Consultations are held annually at Deputy Ministerial Level to review progress in the relations and to propose new areas of cooperation. South Africa is currently the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa with which Spain currently has a defence bilateral consultation working group.

In 2019, the Spanish Government launched its Third Africa Plan, a long-term strategy that guides Spain’s relations with the Continent, and that had extensive input from ministries, public and private institutions, and civil society associations from various African countries. In accordance with the Third Africa Plan, South Africa is one the three “anchor” countries for Spain’s foreign policy in Africa, together with Nigeria and Ethiopia. The Spanish Government sees South Africa as an important and essential role player in Africa.

South Africa is one of Spain’s priority markets outside the EU and this has led to a new stage in Spanish-South African trade relations. In 2019, Spanish imports from South Africa amounted to 1,219 million euros while South African imports from Spain amounted to 1,149 million euros. Spain is one of the main investors in South Africa with an FDI stock in SA of above €821 million.

Spain and South Africa also regard each other as important and strategic international partners especially in view of South Africa’s position and its participation in international structures such as BRICS, G-20, UN structures and the AU.

South Africa is a signatory to the "Together for Stronger Multilateralism" initiative, promoted by the Government of Spain which seeks to strengthen the multilateral system and tackle major global challenges, such as human rights violations, in order to build a more peaceful, just, inclusive and sustainable World and in whose regular meetings President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez participate.

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Spain

Ms T E Mtintso
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

South African Embassy

Time difference with South Africa:
Summer/April - September : None
Winter/October - March : - 1 hour

Spanish Representation in South Africa

H E Mr Carlos Enrique Fernandez -Arias Minuesa
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain

Travel Info

Visa requirements for South Africa

For more information contact the Spanish Embassy's visa section.

Health Requirements

None

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

Climate Info

The Plateau has a climate of very short summers with scorching heat and long cold winters as well as low rainfall. Madrid resorts within this area and experiences temperatures that can vary from day to day. The winters are cold, but temperatures never remain below freezing for long and in summer the temperatures are hot (35 degrees) and rise to very hot (48 degrees). The provinces in the north experience a humid climate with high rainfall and lush vegetation. The east and south have a typical very hot Mediterranean climate. The islands have a temperate climate throughout the year.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The monitary unit of Spain has been changed from Peseta to Euro (EUR) effective from 1 January 2002.

For current exchange rates click here.

State and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings

No Information

Bilateral Agreements

If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at 012 351 1000.

Trade Info

Spanish investment to South Africa has increased substantially, notably a 50% equity stake in the Platinum N4 Toll Road project, as well as the Acerinox / Columbus investment (Euro 232m stake in Columbus).

For current information on trade statistics between South Africa and Spain, visit the website of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.

Interest Groups and Information

No Information