Easier Passport Renewals, Birth Registrations for South Africans in Germany

South Africans living in Germany now have faster and simpler access to key consular services, including passport renewals and birth registrations, through the newly expanded DHA Services Centre in Berlin. Officially opened on 23 October 2025 by South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, the centre is located at Spaces Spittelmarkt, Wallstraße 9–13, 10179 Berlin.

With over 20,300 South Africans currently residing in Germany, the demand for easy and reliable access to Home Affairs services has grown. VFS Global, the official partner for DHA consular services, operates the centre and provides a full range of services. These include online appointment booking, biometric enrolment (fingerprints and photographs), front-office support and home delivery of passports and other documents.

The centre offers a one-stop solution: you can make an appointment online, submit documents in person and receive updates via SMS as your application progresses. Optional services like photography, printing and document handling make the process smoother. Staff are available to assist via email, live chat, or phone, helping applicants navigate the often complex administrative requirements.

Since 2008, VFS Global has processed over 5.6 million passport applications worldwide and operates a network of DHA services centres and visa application centres in multiple countries. The Berlin centre is part of this global system, ensuring that South Africans in Germany can access services efficiently without travelling back to South Africa.

Mr Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer of VFS Global, said: “Our goal is to make passport renewals and birth registrations as simple as possible for South Africans living abroad. We aim to provide a service that is reliable, fast, and customer-friendly.”

Practical tips for South Africans using the Berlin centre:

• Book your appointment online in advance.

• Bring your current passport, ID and any required documents.

• Expect biometric enrolment, including fingerprints and a photo.

• Track your application via SMS updates.

• Optional services such as printing or professional photography are available on-site.

For more information or to book an appointment, visit VFS Global DHA Services.

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About VFS Global  

As a global leader in trusted technology services, empowering secure mobility for governments and citizens,
VFS Global supports governments and diplomatic missions worldwide by managing administrative, non-judgmental tasks related to visa, passport, and consular applications.
The company serves 69 client governments, operates over 3,900 Application Centres in 165 countries, and has processed more than 514 million transactions since 2001.
VFS Global is headquartered in Zurich and Dubai and is majority-owned through investment funds managed by Blackstone Inc., with minority stakeholders including the Swiss-based Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation.