OTHER CONSULAR MATTERS
ON THIS PAGE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION ON THE FOLLOWING :
1 - POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE
2 - AUTHENTICATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN CERTIFICATES (APOSTILLES)
3 - AUTHENTICATION OF SCHOOL CERTIFICATES
4 - TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN
5 - EXCHANGE OF DRIVING LICENCE
6 – RENEWAL OF DRIVING LICENCE
7 - DUAL CITIZENSHIP TRAVELERS – MAKING USE OF A PASSPORT OF A FOREIGN NATIONALITY
8 - MARITAL REGIMES / REGIMES DE CASAMENTO
9 - LAW OF SUCCESSION AND WILLS
11 - SARS - SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE DEPARTMENT
12 - IMPORT OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
13 - REGISTRATION OF SOUTH AFRICANS ABROAD – R.O.S.A.
14 - DEATHS ABROAD - ADVICE TO SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS IN THE EVENT A SOUTH AFRICAN DIES ABROAD
Consular hours for public attendance are 09:00 to 12:00, Monday to Thursday, BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT ONLY
For consular queries or to book/change/cancel an appointment, please call +351 213 192 200, Monday to Fridays from 08H00 to 16H00, or send an email to Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ativar o JavaScript para o visualizar.
For emergencies only (no visa or civic services queries or requests) please call +351 964 151 989
IMPORTANT NOTICES
- The Embassy does not provide photocopying, printing or fax services to applicants. Applicants must therefore ensure that they produce photocopies / print-outs together with original personal documents and applications, e.g. passports, identity documents, certificates, etc.
- Applicants who need to sign an Affidavit / Power of Attorney that requires witnesses (apart from the Commissioner of Oaths) should provide/produce their own witnesses and their relevant identification documents and copies thereof.
- All the forms must be fully completed in block letters and black ink, dated and signed by the applicant. Questions that don’t apply must be completed with ‘n/a’; if answers to certain questions are not known, they should be marked as ‘unknown’. Please note that relevant information not provided on the forms may cause the application to be returned / not accepted by the relevant Department in South Africa.
- Colour photos (in accordance with international standards). Please click HERE for photo specifications. The Consulate does not have a photo booth at the moment.
- A pre-paid self-addressed A4-size envelope (with the required post office stamps for registered mail (100gr) and already filled in with the applicant's name and address (both the envelope and the CTT Registo form need to be fully filled in) should be produced with the required documentation if the applicant wishes the Embassy to send the document by post upon receipt.
- Applications at the Honorary Consulates must be posted by the applicants themselves to the South African Embassy in Lisbon.
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Status / progress reports are not provided to applicants by the Embassy during the processing period (see average timeframe for each type of document). However, applicants may contact the Department of Home Affairs Contact Centre themselves about their civic services application status through the following email address: Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ativar o JavaScript para o visualizar.
1 - POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE
An application for a South African police clearance certificate from abroad is lodged directly with / couriered to the South African Police Service in Pretoria. Information regarding an application for a South African police clearance certificate from abroad may be obtained from the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Please note that applicants living abroad may have their fingerprints taken at the South African Embassy in Lisbon or the nearest Honorary Consulate on the appropriate form for this purpose. Please click here to download the form.
Applicants must produce the following documentation:
- Original passport(s) and a photocopy of the biometric passport page.
- Valid visa for Portugal / SEF resident card / updated SEF declaration with QR Code verification, and a copy thereof.
- SA Immigration Permit / SA Certificate of Naturalisation (for South African citizens who were not born in RSA), and copies thereof.
- Form BI-529 – (for South African citizens who were not born in RSA). Please find HERE form BI-529 (Determination of Citizenship) to be fully filled in beforehand with block letters and a black ink pen.
- SAPS 91a Form for Police Clearance Certificate - Please click here to download the form, to be fully filled in beforehand with block letters and a black ink pen.
Applicants who wish to have their fingerprints taken at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Lisbon or at the Honorary Consulates in Porto or Funchal may do so during consular business hours and by prior appointment only.
N.B.: Upon issuance, the Certificate should then be legalized by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in South Africa. Please find HERE the relevant contact details.
VALIDITY OF THE POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE
Please be informed that the applicant should contact the South African Police Service (SAPS) directly to request the validity of his/her Police Clarance Certificate: www.saps.gov.za
2 - AUTHENTICATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN CERTIFICATES (APOSTILLES)
The Authentication of original South African Certificates may be requested through the South African Embassy in Lisbon.
The Authentication is not issued locally and is sent via diplomatic bag to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa. The average issuance and reception timeframe for authentications is 4 to 6 months.
Status / progress reports are not provided to applicants by the Embassy during the above-mentioned processing period. However, applicants may contact the Department of Home Affairs Contact Centre themselves about their application status: Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ativar o JavaScript para o visualizar.
Alternatively, depending on the urgency of the applicant (s), the original document may be sent directly to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria. Contacts of the relevant Department are HERE
AUTENTICAÇÃO DE CERTIDÕES E CERTIFICADOS SUL-AFRICANOS (APOSTILHAS)
A autenticação de certificados sul-africanos originais poderá ser solicitada através da Embaixada da África do Sul em Lisboa.
A Autenticação não é emitida localmente, sendo enviada através de mala dilpomática para o Departamento de Relações Internacionais e de Cooperação na África do Sul. O tempo médio de emissão e recepção da Autenticação é de 4 a 6 meses.
A Embaixada não dispõe de informação sobre o andamento dos processos de emissão das certidões durante o período de processamento referido acima. No entanto, os requerentes poderão contactar o Department of Home Affairs Contact Centre para obter informação sobre o pedido: Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ativar o JavaScript para o visualizar.
Em alternativa, e dependendo da urgência do(s) requerente(s), o documento original poderá ser enviado directamente para o Department of International Relations and Cooperation em Pretória. Encontre os contactos AQUI
3 - AUTHENTICATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOL CERTIFICATES
Applicants should confirm with the Department of Education in South Africa if the School Certificate must be revalidated / reissued before being authenticated by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Find the relevant contact details HERE
Upon issuance, the Certificate should be legalized by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in South Africa.
Please find the DIRCO contact details HERE
AUTENTICAÇÃO DE CERTIFICADOS DE HABILITAÇÕES SUL-AFRICANOS
Os requerentes deverão confirmar através do Department of Education na África do Sul a necessidade do Certificado de Habilitações ser revalidado / reemitido, antes de ser autenticado pelo Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Encontre os contactos AQUI
Depois de emitido, o Certificado deve ser autenticado pelo Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), ná África do Sul.
Encontre os contactos AQUI
4 - TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN
Please click HERE for updated information on the Department of Home Affairs website.
5 - EXCHANGE OF DRIVING LICENCE
In order to convert your SA drivers licence (credit card format) into a Portuguese drivers licence, you will need to apply for the Confirmation of SA Driving Licence (official document with the South African coat of arms and a serial number) directly through the South African Department of Transport.
Applicants must apply through the following email :
Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ativar o JavaScript para o visualizar.
The following documents to be attached:
Copy of South African Identity Book or Passport or Driving licence.
For more information the following officials may be contacted:
Mr Masoma Lediga Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ativar o JavaScript para o visualizar. 011 266 2131 or
Mr David Motloung Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ativar o JavaScript para o visualizar. 011 266 2000
Upon issuance, the Certificate should then be legalized by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in South Africa.
Please find the DIRCO contact details HERE
Also please confirm with the Portuguese Authorities - IMT which will be the appropriate and legal timeframe to exchange your licence - https://www.imt-ip.pt
6 – RENEWAL OF DRIVING LICENCE
Please consult the South African Government website on renewing the SA Driving Licence HERE
7 - DUAL CITIZENSHIP TRAVELERS – MAKING USE OF A PASSPORT OF A FOREIGN NATIONALITY
In terms of the South African Citizenship Amendment Act of 2004, which came into effect on 15 September 2004, it is now an offence for a South African citizen over the age of 18 to enter the Republic or depart making use of the passport of another country.
Furthermore, it is also now an offence for such a citizen, while in South Africa, to use his or her foreign citizenship or nationality to gain advantage or avoid a responsibility or duty.
Essentially, the Amendment Act provides that an adult South African citizen, who has dual citizenship or nationality, can freely use his or her foreign passport outside South Africa. However, they must use their South African passport to depart from or enter South Africa.
Click SA Citizenship Amendment Act to read.
Please note that the Immigration act only applies to adult South African citizens. Minors (under the age of 18) who are dual citizens are under no obligation to enter and depart the country on a South African passport.
8 - MARITAL REGIMES / REGIMES DE CASAMENTO
Nos termos do Decreto sul-africano que regulamenta o regime de bens nos casamentos na República da África do Sul - Marriage Act, 1961 (Act No. 25 of 1961)-, todos os casamentos contraídos na República da África do Sul sem convenção antenupcial, são casamentos em comunhão geral de bens. Segundo a mesma lei, todo e qualquer outro regime de casamento que não o anteriormente referido, como por exemplo, separação de bens, separação de bens adquiridos, ou outros, requer uma convenção antenupcial.
Regimes de Casamento :
Getting married | South African Government (www.gov.za)
Marital Regimes In South Africa - How Should I Get Married? - SSTLaw
Para verificações de alterações ou actualizações à lei, deverão ser verificados os seguintes sites:
www.gov.za – Documents – Acts
Law Society of South Africa:
REGISTRAR OF DEEDS
DIVORCE
How to get a divorce | South African Government (www.gov.za)
Justice/Resources/FAQs: Divorce
9 - LAW OF SUCCESSION AND WILLS
“The South African law of succession prescribes the rules which determine the devolution of a person's estate after his/her death, and all matters incidental thereto. It identifies the beneficiaries who are entitled to succeed to the deceased's estate, and the extent of the benefits they are to receive, and determines the different rights and duties that persons (for example, beneficiaries and creditors) may have in a deceased's estate. It forms part of private law.” https://lawguide.co.za/south-african-law-of-succession/
WILLS
A will, also known as a testament, is a document in which a person sets out what must happen to their estate when they die. A person can also nominate the person or persons, known as executors, who should administer their estate on their death. A will is a specialized document, which should preferably be drawn up by an expert like an attorney, trust company etc.
A person’s estate consists of all their assets (belongings, property) and liabilities (debts) which they had as at date of death.
To administer an estate means to collect or take control of all the assets of the deceased, to pay the debts which the deceased left at date of death, and then to pay the balance left for distribution to the rightful heirs of the deceased as determined in the will, or if you do not have a will, to the heirs as determined in terms of the rules of intestate succession. (…) DO&JCD: Master/Wills (justice.gov.za)
Please consult official / legal information here:
https://www.gov.za/documents/law-succession-amendment-act
DO&JCD: Master/Wills (justice.gov.za)
https://www.justice.gov.za/master/wills-is.html
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201503/act-81-1987.pdf
https://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/1987-81.pdf
1.
If a citizen worked in South Africa and has reached retirement age, he / she should contact the pension fund directly (or the different pension funds, if there was more than one) via email, detailing the situation, and requesting the correct forms for application and/or for the transferring of the pension abroad.
There are several different pension funds in South Africa and each has its own required procedures and forms.
Thus, pensioners must send their identification documents (via email, in English), directly to the pension fund(s) and request the correct information, guidelines, forms and documents required to be submitted to the Pension Fund to receive the pension abroad.
Upon receipt of the forms and documents, if there is any official document (e.g. Power of Attorney, Affidavit, ‘Certificate of Existence’ or ‘Life Certificate’) to be signed before a Commissioner of Oaths, it must be signed at the Embassy or at an Honorary Consulate before an Official, during consular hours and according to the available schedule.
• The Embassy does not provide photocopying, printing or fax services to applicants. Applicants must therefore ensure that they produce photocopies / print-outs together with original personal documents and applications, e.g. passports, identity documents, certificates, etc.
• Applicants who need to sign an Affidavit / Power of Attorney that requires witnesses (apart from the Commissioner of Oaths) should provide/produce their own witnesses and their relevant identification documents and copies thereof.
• All he forms be must be fully completed in block letters and in black ink, dated and signed by the applicant – questions that don’t apply must be completed with ‘n/a’; if answers to certain questions are not known, they should be marked as ‘unknown’. Please note that relevant information not provided on the forms may be returned / not accepted by the relevant Department or private financial institution in South Africa.
2.
To obtain a declaration to present to the portuguese Segurança Social which proves that an SA citizen/permanent resident is not receiving a pension from South Africa you will need to apply directly through the South African Social Security Agency.
Applicants must apply through the following email: Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ativar o JavaScript para o visualizar.
The following documents and information must be sent via email to SASS
- Date of arrival in Portugal
- Copy of South African ID or South African Passport
11 – SARS – SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
Please consult the following website https://www.sars.gov.za/ for updated information on the South African Revenue Service website.
12 - IMPORT OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
Please consult the following website https://www.gov.za/services/import/import-animals-and-animal-products for updated information on the South African Government website.
13 - REGISTRATION OF SOUTH AFRICANS ABROAD – R.O.S.A.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (formerly, Department of Foreign Affairs) offers a voluntary registration service for South African citizens who are travelling or residing abroad. This service is provided in the event there is a need to contact you to offer urgent advice on a natural disaster or civil unrest or a family emergency. Information may submitted by a South African citizen via the ROSA Online Registration form.
Alternatively, you may fill in the form to Register with the SA Embassy in Lisbon and produce it at the Embassy in Lisbon or send it via email to Este endereço de email está protegido contra piratas. Necessita ativar o JavaScript para o visualizar. Please find the form HERE
14 - DEATHS ABROAD - ADVICE TO SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS IN THE EVENT A SOUTH AFRICAN DIES ABROAD
Please consult the following website Deaths Abroad – DIRCO for updated information on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation website.