Money & Payments in Johannesburg (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

Decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC) at ATMs and points of sale — choose to be charged in South African Rand (ZAR) to avoid exchange rate markups of up to 18%.
Standard Bank ATMs in Sandton City have been reported to not charge local ATM fees for some foreign cards, making them worth seeking out.
Avoid independent/private ATMs (especially at petrol stations) — they charge significantly higher fees (R 100–200+) than major bank ATMs.
Keep some cash on hand at all times; smaller vendors, informal traders, and some taxis do not accept cards.
Tipping with cash is preferred as it reaches staff immediately; card tips are processed by end of week/month.
Check restaurant bills for automatically included service charges (10–12.5%) before adding an additional tip.
In Johannesburg, contactless payments (tap-to-go) are widely supported at modern card terminals in chain stores and major establishments.
For petrol purchases, a separate petrol card issued by most banks is required; regular credit/debit cards are not accepted at pumps.

ATM Details

Availability: Extensive ATM network in Johannesburg, including downtown areas, major thoroughfares, shopping centers (Sandton City), and near bank branches (Standard Bank, ABSA)
Withdrawal Limits: Typically 3,000–5,000 ZAR per transaction; varies by bank and ATM operator
Dynamic Currency Conversion: ATMs and points of sale may offer to charge you in your home currency (DCC). Decline this and select local currency (ZAR) to avoid markup fees of up to 18%.

Fees

Standard Fee Range: ZAR 50
Note: Most bank ATMs charge R 50–75 per transaction to foreign cardholders. Independent ATMs and petrol station ATMs have significantly higher fees (up to R 100–200 per transaction) and should be avoided.

Banks With ATM Networks

Standard Bank
Notes
Some locations reported as having lower or no local ATM fees for certain cards; ATM in Sandton City noted as reliable
ABSA
Notes
Extensive network; moderate fees reported around R 50
FNB (First National Bank)
Notes
Reliable network; moderate fees around R 60; better exchange rates than airport currency booths
Nedbank
Notes
Part of five major banking networks; fees R 50–80+
Capitec
Notes
Part of five major banking networks; fees around R 75

Card Acceptance

Overview: Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Johannesburg, particularly in urban establishments including hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and retail stores. American Express has more limited acceptance.
Where Cards Work: Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets (Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Spar), retail stores, airlines, travel agencies, car rental services, ride-sharing apps (Uber, Bolt)
Where Cash Needed: Informal traders, street markets, smaller local vendors, some taxis, some smaller lodgings and local businesses
Contactless Payments: Contactless payment (tap-to-go) is increasingly common in Johannesburg, supported by most card terminals in chain stores and larger establishments

Credit Cards Accepted

Visa
Acceptance Level
widely accepted in major venues
Notes
Most common, accepted in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and shops
Mastercard
Acceptance Level
widely accepted in major venues
Notes
Most common, accepted in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and shops
American Express
Acceptance Level
limited acceptance
Notes
Less prevalent; mostly limited to higher-end hotels and international chains

Resident Accounts

Eligibility: Foreign nationals with temporary or permanent residency visas

Documentation Required

Proof of residency status
Valid identification
Proof of employment or income
Declaration of foreign assets
Compliance with foreign national banking forms

Non Resident Accounts

Features: Can hold funds in foreign currencies (USD, EUR, GBP) and ZAR. Cannot obtain local loans or credit cards but can conduct international transfers and manage investments.
Eligibility: Tourist visa holders, temporary visitors, expatriates without long-term residency
Tax Treatment: Interest earned may not be subject to South African tax

Documentation Required

Valid passport (certified copy, stamped by overseas bank)
Proof of address in home country
Three months of bank statements
Proof of income
Completed bank forms

Tipping Norms

Car Guards: ZAR 5.00
Informal parking attendants outside shopping centers and restaurants. Tip when collecting your car as they watch it while you're away.
General Culture: Tipping is customary and expected in service industries. Service workers earn low base wages and rely heavily on tips to supplement income. The practice is deeply ingrained in urban areas like Johannesburg.
Petrol Stations: ZAR 5.00
Full-service petrol stations are standard in South Africa; attendants fill your tank, check tyres, and clean your windscreen.
Supermarket Packers: ZAR 5.00
Volunteers (often elderly or disabled) who pack bags at checkout

Restaurants

Standard Percentage: 10–15%
Additional Notes: 15% is increasingly considered standard for good service. Always check the bill to see if a service charge (typically 10–12.5%) is already included, especially for large groups (tables of 6+). Tip with cash if possible for immediate distribution to staff; card tips are processed by end of week/month. Tipping is discretionary; withhold or reduce for poor service.

Bars And Cafes

Standard Approach: Round up the bill or leave a few rand per drink. Increasingly, 10–20% of the total bill is becoming common, particularly for attentive service or complex orders.
Note: Tip generously on first order to be remembered by bartenders for quicker service on subsequent rounds.

Cash Essentials

Local Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
Recommendation: Carry both cards and cash for flexibility. Cash is essential for tipping, small purchases from local vendors, and informal traders who typically do not accept cards.
Where To Get Cash: ATMs, bank branches, licensed currency exchange offices

Currency Exchange Services

Rates And Fees: Exchange rates vary daily and between bureaux. Most bureaux charge a fixed transaction fee or a percentage of the amount exchanged. Shopping around is recommended for better rates, especially for less commonly traded currencies.
Note: Bank branches, licensed forex offices, and major airport locations offer currency exchange. Avoid street changers due to counterfeit currency risk.

Safe Options

Bank branches (offer competitive rates and are regulated)
Licensed forex bureaux in airports and shopping malls (e.g., Travelex in O.R. Tambo International Airport)
Currency exchange offices in major shopping centers
Bidvest Bank with locations in hotels and airports

Foreign nationals and nomads can open bank accounts in South Africa. Account type depends on visa status: non-resident accounts for tourist/short-term visitors; resident accounts for those with temporary or permanent residency visas.

Major Banks

Big Four providers: Standard Bank, FirstRand, Nedbank, Absa. All offer non-resident banking services.

Process Notes

Physical presence often required for account opening, though some banks may allow remote processing. Account opening is possible but involves compliance checks and enhanced due diligence under South African Financial Intelligence regulations.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Johannesburg

Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Johannesburg

Good to know

Good to Know

ATM Details

Fees

Banks With ATM Networks

Standard Bank

ABSA

FNB (First National Bank)

Nedbank

Capitec

Card Acceptance

Credit Cards Accepted

Visa

Mastercard

American Express

Resident Accounts

Documentation Required

Non Resident Accounts

Documentation Required

Tipping Norms

Restaurants

Bars And Cafes

Cash Essentials

Currency Exchange Services

Safe Options

Major Banks

Process Notes

Sources cited for this category

Money & Payments in other Africa cities

More About Johannesburg