Plug adapter for South Africa from Germany
What travellers from Germany need to charge and power their devices in South Africa: plugs, voltage and frequency, with the rest of the trip basics below.
Plug adapter
Needed for some plugs
Your Type C plugs fit. For Type F plugs, bring an adapter to Types M and N.
Voltage
Same
Germany 230 V → South Africa 230 V. No converter needed.
Frequency
Same
50 Hz → 50 Hz.
Your plug, their socket
fits
does not fit
It does fit the Type C sockets also found in South Africa, but you can't count on finding one.
In South Africa: Type M is still the most common socket; the newer Type N (SANS 164-2) is replacing it and also accepts Europlugs (Type C).
Your devices in South Africa
Look for the “INPUT” line on the charger or label. A range such as 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz means the device adapts by itself and needs only a plug adapter.
| Device | Usually | In South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, tablet and laptop chargers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Camera and power-bank chargers, e-readers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Electric shavers, toothbrushes | often 100–240 V; check | Works with the adapter |
| Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons | single voltage | Works with the adapter |
| Kettles, irons, travel cookers | single voltage, high power | Works with the adapter |
The rest of the trip basics
- Time
- South Africa is 1 h ahead of Germany right now (UTC+2 vs UTC+1).
- Money
- The South African Rand (ZAR): 1 EUR = 18.65 ZAR (ECB reference rates, 2026-10-30). Everyday prices are about 53% of Germany's.
- Driving
- Switch sides: South Africa drives on the left (Germany drives on the right). Look right first when crossing.
- Advisories
- US: Level 2 Exercise increased caution. UK: no FCDO warnings. Details
- Next holidays
- 4 Nov Local Government Elections · 16 Dec Day of Reconciliation · 25 Dec Christmas Day All 14
- Calling code
- +27