Welcome to Cape Town!

Moving to Cape Town means choosing a city that uniquely combines natural grandeur with remarkable urban sophistication. With Table Mountain dominating the skyline, the ocean waves crashing on the beaches of Camps Bay and Clifton, the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek just half an hour away, and the historic Bo-Kaap district with its colorful houses... Cape Town is a city that visually impresses from day one and continues to surprise even years after living here.

Why Expats Choose Cape Town?

Cape Town attracts expats from all over the world due to its extraordinary quality of life, burgeoning creative and tech scene (Silicon Cape), first-rate gastronomy, Mediterranean climate, and favorable exchange rate for those earning in euros, pounds, or dollars. The city also has a mature business ecosystem, excellent universities like UCT (University of Cape Town), and a well-established international community.

First Steps Upon Arrival

• Manage your long-stay visa or work permit at the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
• Open a bank account: Standard Bank, FNB (First National Bank), Nedbank, and Absa are the most common and accessible options for foreigners.
• Get private medical insurance: Discovery Health and Momentum are the most popular private plans among expats.
• Obtain your South African driver’s license if you plan to reside for more than six months: a car is practically essential.
• Explore the neighborhoods: Sea Point, Green Point, Gardens, Tamboerskloof, Camps Bay, and the City Bowl are the most popular among international residents.

Everyday Life in Cape Town

Living in Cape Town means enjoying a quality of life that few African cities—or cities worldwide—can match. Hiking on Table Mountain with ocean views, surfing on Atlantic beaches, having braais (South African barbecues) with friends on weekends, visiting organic markets like Oranjezicht or the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, wine routes in the Cape region... Life here has a rhythm that uniquely blends the active with the contemplative.

Expat Community

Cape Town has a large and active expat community, with a particularly strong presence of Europeans (British, Germans, Dutch, French) and North Americans. The InterNations Cape Town groups, digital nomad communities, and foreign resident associations make it easy to connect from day one.

Final Tip: Safety requires attention in Cape Town: educate yourself about the neighborhoods, follow the advice of local residents, and take basic precautions. With this in mind, the quality of life this city offers is hard to beat. Welcome to Cape Town!