South Africans are flocking to these countries – Daily Investor

South Africans wanting to emigrate are looking to international hotspots such as Mauritius, Dubai and Greece for lifestyle, work, and investment opportunities.

Pam Golding Property Group CEO Dr Andrew Golding explained that the European Union is making the acquisition of residency and citizenship more difficult with several programme closures and changes.

As a result, countries like Dubai and Mauritius have become more prominent as viable second residency options for South Africans, underpinned by a real estate component.

Mauritius continues to attract South Africans and Europeans to the island, offering a sunny lifestyle, a good year-round climate, and a favourable tax regime.

According to Tax Consulting SA, Mauritius is positioning itself as one of the most attractive destinations for foreign professionals, investors, self-employed individuals and retirees.

Notably, South Africans make up the country’s second-largest foreign retiree population, after French retirees.

The Mauritian government’s updated 2025 guidelines for Occupation and Residence Permits provide more explicit eligibility criteria and performance expectations for Investors, Professionals, Self-Employed individuals, and retirees.

These reforms aim to ensure the sustainability of foreign-led businesses, support skilled migration, and maintain Mauritius as a flexible and lifestyle-friendly destination, while simplifying processes and reinforcing accountability.

Tax Consulting SA advised expatriates to plan carefully and engage specialists to navigate permit requirements efficiently.

Golding explained that Dubai continues to attract a younger workforce seeking exciting work opportunities, families seeking a safe environment, and new businesses to its booming economy.

The United Arab Emirates’ 10-year UAE Golden Visa makes the country particularly attractive to wealthy South Africans.

Those who make a property investment of at least 2 million Arab Emirates Dirham (R9.26 million) are eligible. This Visa allows them and their family, including parents, to live, work and study in the UAE.

To tap into this growing demand, Pam Golding has announced that it will officially be opening a Dubai office in January 2026.

“In partnership with award-winning wealth firm SVN Capital, and situated overlooking the famous Palms district, we expect the Dubai market to continue on its growth path,” Golding said.

The Greek Golden Visa

Evening view of Thira town and Aegean sea at sundown, Santorini Island, Greece

For South Africans who want to secure European Union residency for their families, Golding said the Greek Golden Visa remains one of the last options.

“Greece itself has recently increased the investment threshold to qualify for residency to €800,000 (R15.88 million) in Athens and most of the Islands,” he said.

However, he explained that one notable exception is the conversion of commercial buildings into residential developments.

“This has allowed us to offer what we believe may be the last credible opportunities to gain EU Residency – without having to live in Greece,” he said.

This includes Keranis Residences, a conversion of an iconic old building in Piraeus, approximately 20 minutes from the city centre of Athens and with direct access to the historic port.

Keranis is a mixed-use development comprising 408 residential apartments, several retail shops, restaurants, and leisure facilities.

Entry-level prices start at the minimum level of Golden Visa qualification, which is €250,000 (R4.96 million). The developer offers a rental fix of 3% per annum for a 10-year period.

“The developers are the Mercan Group, with whom we have worked extensively in both Portugal and Greece,” Golding said.

Well-established, they have already completed and are trading 14 hotels in Portugal. Greek residency is offered to the main investor and their spouse, as well as minor dependent children.

Residency allows the investor and their family to legally reside in Greece and travel freely throughout Schengen Europe, without the need to acquire a visa.

Another development, Kastella Bay, is also located in Piraeus and within walking distance of Mikro Limo marina, offering waterside shopping and dining.

It comprises only 32 units, ranging from one-bedroom units starting at €250,000 (R4.96 million) to a penthouse at €1 million (R19.85 million).

The penthouse could serve as an investment for four different families, each contributing €250,000 (R4.96 million). The development is also less than 20 minutes from the centre of Athens.

All units are fully furnished, and investors can opt for a 3% guaranteed rental yield from the developer. “With over 50% of the units already spoken for, potential investors are advised to act quickly,” Golding added.