South Africans can now travel to another European country without a visa, with the country signing a new visa-waiver agreement with Estonia.

The deal, which came into effect on 1 September, allows citizens of both countries to travel visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

The agreement is the result of diplomatic engagements between Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, and South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber.

It was described as a significant step in strengthening cooperation between the two nations. Estonia’s Ambassador to South Africa, Daniel Schaer, welcomed the development.

He noted that it would not only simplify travel but also create new opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.

He highlighted Estonia’s reputation as a global leader in digital innovation, which could offer valuable prospects for South African start-ups and technology firms looking to expand into new markets.

Schaer added that the partnership reflects the growing bilateral ties between the two nations, particularly in the areas of economic cooperation, digital affairs, and education.

“Visa-free travel for Estonian citizens is an important step in deepening long-term cooperation. It will make travelling to South Africa significantly easier for both tourists and entrepreneurs,” he said.

The agreement builds on recent high-level visits between the two countries. In November last year, Foreign Minister Tsahkna led an Estonian business delegation to South Africa, with visa-free travel forming a key part of discussions with local officials.

Earlier this year, Minister Schreiber travelled to Estonia, where he attended the Africa Business Forum and the e-Voting Conference, underscoring the growing focus on shared technological and economic interests.

For South Africans, Estonia joins a small but expanding list of European countries offering visa-free entry.

Others include Georgia, Kosovo, and the Russian Federation. While most European Union states still require South Africans to apply for a Schengen visa, developments like this are seen as incremental but important wins in expanding global mobility for local travellers.

This announcement also coincides with South Africa’s recent improvement in the Henley Passport Index, a widely watched global ranking that measures the strength of passports based on visa-free access.

In July, South Africa re-entered the top 50 passports worldwide for the first time since 2014, climbing from 53rd place in 2024 to 48th in 2025.

The ranking is compiled using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and research from Henley & Partners, covering 199 passports and 227 destinations.

While South Africa’s rise back into the top 50 is encouraging, it comes with a catch. The improvement is largely the result of other countries slipping in the rankings rather than major new travel freedoms for South Africans.

Currently, local passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 103 countries, a number that has remained relatively stable despite losing access to key destinations like Ireland and Nigeria in recent years.

Ireland ended its visa-free arrangement over concerns about fraud involving South African passports, while Nigeria switched to an e-visa system as part of efforts to clamp down on illicit trade.

These setbacks have limited South Africans’ travel flexibility, making agreements such as the one with Estonia a positive step in restoring some lost ground.

South Africa’s passport has had a turbulent journey over the past decade. After ranking 41st globally in 2014, it slipped to 53rd in 2015 and has since struggled to break back into the top 50 on a sustained basis.

This year’s improvement marks a milestone, although experts caution that continued progress will depend on strengthening bilateral agreements and ensuring the integrity of the passport system.

The visa-waiver agreement with Estonia offers a tangible benefit to South African travellers and entrepreneurs.

It not only provides easier access to a European destination but also signals a willingness by international partners to deepen ties with South Africa. (Businesstech)