South Africa Grants Visa-Free Entry to Lithuanian and Select EU Passport Holders

In a significant development for inbound tourism and international relations, the Republic of Lithuania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that, as of 7 October 2025, Lithuanian citizens can now travel to South Africa without the need for a visa. This fresh policy, enacted by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, allows Lithuanian passport holders to enter South Africa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, streamlining access to one of Africa’s most vibrant and diverse travel destinations.

The move comes as part of a broader government initiative to strengthen connections with European Union member states and drive a new wave of visitor arrivals. According to Audra Plepyt, Lithuania’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, “this long-awaited decision opens up new opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties, promote tourism, cultural exchanges, academic cooperation, and business contacts between Lithuania and the Republic of South Africa.”

For the African travel sector, the implications are far-reaching. The visa exemption is expected to stimulate increased arrivals from Lithuania, encouraging not only leisure travel but also investment, educational exchanges, and business development. As South Africa positions itself as a gateway to the continent, easier access for European visitors enhances its competitive edge, especially at a time when the global travel landscape is shifting and traveler expectations for seamless entry procedures are rising.

Importantly, Lithuania is not the only beneficiary of South Africa’s latest visa reforms. A formal government circular dated 3 September 2025 confirms that Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Latvia, Estonia, and Croatia have also been added to South Africa’s visa-free list for holders of ordinary passports. While the Department of Home Affairs has not yet updated its official “Visa Exempt Countries” roster, the changes are already being communicated through South African diplomatic missions across Europe, and several embassies have published details of the exemptions on their official channels. This signals a clear and official shift, even if public-facing documentation is still catching up.

For tour operators, destination managers, and hospitality businesses across sub-Saharan Africa, the new visa policy opens up fresh avenues for product development and marketing. Lithuania and the other newly exempt EU states represent growing source markets, with travelers seeking adventure, wildlife experiences, cultural immersion, and business opportunities. By removing visa barriers, South Africa is not only making itself more accessible but also more attractive to these high-potential audiences.

However, the agreement is not reciprocal. South African passport holders must still apply for a Schengen visa to visit Lithuania or other Schengen Area countries, reflecting the often complex and asymmetrical nature of global mobility agreements. While this remains a barrier for outbound travel, it does not diminish the inbound opportunities that the new exemption creates for African tourism stakeholders.

The timing of this visa liberalization is also strategic. As global tourism continues to rebound and competition for international arrivals intensifies, simplifying entry requirements can be a decisive factor in travelers’ destination choices. South Africa’s willingness to expand its visa-free regime to a wider circle of EU countries demonstrates a clear focus on capturing European demand and reinforcing its image as a welcoming, world-class destination.

For the African travel trade, this development stresses the importance of staying agile and responsive to changes in international policy. Travel professionals should be ready to update their sales strategies, forge new partnerships, and create targeted campaigns to capitalize on the increased interest from Lithuanian and other EU travelers. In particular, highlighting South Africa’s renowned safaris, cosmopolitan cities, and rich cultural heritage will be key to converting curiosity into bookings as the new visa policies take effect.

Looking ahead, the move is likely to set a precedent for further visa liberalization efforts across the continent. As African governments seek to boost tourism’s contribution to GDP and foster deeper connections with global markets, ongoing reforms in entry requirements will remain a central theme. The South African example demonstrates how targeted policy changes can deliver immediate and measurable benefits—both in terms of visitor flows and in strengthening diplomatic and economic relationships.

For now, the message to Africa’s travel industry is clear: enhanced connectivity with Europe is on the rise, and proactive engagement with these emerging source markets will be critical to sustaining growth in the coming years. By leveraging the momentum created by South Africa’s visa reforms, the region’s operators and hoteliers can position themselves at the forefront of a new era in international tourism.