Investing and Living in South Africa

South Africa is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for Germans and other Europeans who want to establish a second foothold outside of Europe and/or find a second home somewhere else. This wish can arise because of both, the good investment opportunities in South Africa, as well as the desire to establish a - second - center of life or a permanent vacation residence here.
There are many good reasons in favor of South Africa as a location, which attract Germans in particular for investment and as a destination for - partial - emigration:

• As the most developed economic area in Africa, South Africa offers very good living conditions and a very good infrastructure
• 30 years after the end of apartheid, the country is a stable democracy, fully integrated internationally and offers a stable and reliable legal and institutional framework and thus also for investments
• Prices on the real estate market and the cost of living are comparatively low
• The investment markets and the real estate market in particular have been very stable over the years and offer reliable long-term increases in value. This applies in particular to the very popular and prime location in the Western Cape around the global metropolis of Cape Town, but also to the other highly developed areas around Johannesburg and Pretoria in the interior of the country and Durban on the east coast.
• The weather is good and pleasantly warm all year round, whereby the regions mentioned are characterized by a Mediterranean or subtropical climate comparable to that of Spain or Italy. As South Africa is located in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are exactly offset to those in Europe, making it ideal as a place to stay for part of the year, for example in the German fall and winter
• South Africa is in the same time zone as Central Europe, so there is no need to worry about jet lag when traveling and no problems with continuing private or business connections to Germany
• With English as the official language and main language, communication in the public sphere is comparatively easy
• South Africa has been strongly influenced by European immigration for centuries, so there are strong European influences and thus strong cultural ties in both the way of life and the economic system
• There are already large German and German-speaking communities in the major cities. There are German kindergartens and German schools in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. There are also various other services for the German-speaking population within the German communities, from German clubs and parishes to German butchers and doctors.
• South Africa has a unique natural environment, landscape and wildlife, as well as a fascinating cultural diversity and friendly, open-minded inhabitants
• There are also good opportunities for real estate investments due to the fact that South Africa is a very popular tourist destination worldwide and throughout the year, so that there is also the financially very lucrative possibility of temporarily renting out properties as travel accommodation, for example via tourism platforms or together with professional providers
• South Africa offers good economic investment opportunities outside of the real estate market. The country's robust economic environment and growing consumer market offer potential and opportunities for investment and economic activity. Many German companies already have a strong presence in South Africa and new and small private companies can benefit from existing trade relations and business networks. South Africa also currently offers excellent prospects for worthwhile economic investments in the renewable energy sector, for example

South Africa therefore offers great opportunities for Germans, whether as a pure investment project or with the aim of establishing a permanent vacation home or a second center of life. South Africa also offers itself as a second home for Germans who want to emigrate from Germany, or who want to keep such an option open for the future, depending on the development of the economic and political situation in Germany and their own well-being there.

Leistner Attorneys as a German-speaking law firm in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, has already successfully assisted many clients in taking the step to South Africa. For investments and immigration to South Africa, important and expert support can be offered in the following areas in particular:

• Applying for residence permits. These are required for all non-tourist stays and stays over 90 days; special requirements are placed on the granting of a work permit
• Personal and detailed advice on all questions concerning the possibilities and the legal and practical implementation of investments and immigration
• Advice and support on all financial matters, from setting up bank accounts to buying property
• General support of any kind in a new and unfamiliar environment
• Ongoing support in the following years on all legal and contractual issues concerning life and business in South Africa.