Embassy of the Netherlands in Pretoria, South Africa; address 210 Florence Ribeiro / Queen Wilhelmina Avenue, 0181, Pretoria; phone +27124254500. Head of…
Head of mission: J Doornewaard-Verhey, Ambassador (as of 2025)
Also accredited to: Namibia
Head of mission: Ms. Hélène Rekkers, Consul General (as of 2023)
The Netherlands is an appealing destination for South African visitors, thanks to its famous canals, tulip fields, windmills, and historic cities. Its combination of urban sophistication and rustic charm draws millions of tourists annually, making it attractive to a segment of South Africa's 60 million population.
The Netherlands is generally considered a safe destination for tourists, including those from South Africa. It ranks 9th among 40 European countries for safety while walking alone at night. According to the Global Peace Index, the Netherlands is the 18th safest country in the world, significantly safer than South Africa, which ranks 125th. In terms of crime statistics, the murder rate in the Netherlands is remarkably low at 0.7 per 100,000 people, compared to South Africa's high rate of 41.9. Additionally, female murder rates are also much lower in the Netherlands (0.4) than in South Africa (9.5). When examining organized crime, the Netherlands has better indices than South Africa across various categories. For instance, the Netherlands scores 2.5 for state crime, while South Africa scores 7.5. Overall, the data suggests that tourists from South Africa can expect a safer environment in the Netherlands.