North Macedonia (MK)
Affordable Balkan EU-candidate country with low flat taxes, mountain and lake lifestyle, growing IT outsourcing, good regional travel, and a bureaucracy that rewards careful paperwork and local-language support.
Capital: Skopje
Region: Europe
Language: Macedonian
Currency: MKD (den)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 32)
Emergency: 112
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Business Setup
Start a business or go freelance in North Macedonia.
🧑💻 Freelancer / Self-Employed Guide
Steps to register:
- 1 1. Confirm your immigration status permits self-employment in North Macedonia. EU/EEA nationals have greater flexibility; non-EU nationals typically need a temporary residence permit with a work authorisation component.
- 2 2. Choose your structure: TP (sole trader) for simple self-employment; DOOEL (single-member LLC) for liability protection, higher-value contracts, or employer-of-record purposes.
- 3 3. Register with the Central Registry of North Macedonia (crm.com.mk) in person or online. Receive your EMBS (company registration number) and EDB (Единствен Даночен Број — tax identification number).
- 4 4. Register with the Public Revenue Office (Управа за Јавни Приходи — ujp.gov.mk) via the eTax system (etax.ujp.gov.mk) for income tax and contribution obligations.
- 5 5. Open a business bank account at Stopanska Banka, NLB Tutunska Banka, or another Macedonian commercial bank. Bring your registration certificate and EDB number.
- 6 6. Register for VAT (ДДВ — Данок на Додадена Вредност) if annual taxable turnover exceeds MKD 1,000,000 (approximately EUR 16,200).
- 7 7. Engage a local accountant (сметководител) for ongoing bookkeeping and filing. Monthly payroll and contribution declarations are required if you draw a salary from the company.
Tax registration
Register with the Public Revenue Office (PRO) via the eTax portal (etax.ujp.gov.mk). Obtain your EDB (tax identification number). Sole traders (TP) and DOOEL owners/directors who draw a salary pay personal income tax (PIT) at 10% flat rate on income after mandatory social contributions. Advance PIT payments are quarterly. Annual income tax return due by 31 March for the prior calendar year.
VAT threshold
MKD 1,000,000 annual taxable turnover (approximately EUR 16,200) triggers mandatory VAT (ДДВ) registration. Standard rate: 18%. Reduced rates: 10% (basic foodstuffs, medicines, publications) and 5% (some agricultural supplies). Below the threshold, voluntary registration is permitted and may be beneficial for recovering input VAT on business costs.
Invoicing
Invoices must include: business name and address, EDB (tax identification number), ДДВ number if VAT-registered, sequential invoice number, date, description of goods or services, unit price, applicable ДДВ rate and amount, and total. Retain all invoices for at least 5 years. Electronic invoices are accepted. Export services to foreign clients may be zero-rated for ДДВ — document the foreign client location carefully.
Social security
Self-employed persons (TP) and DOOEL directors on payroll pay contributions on a minimum declared income base (currently MKD 22,982/month in 2026). Contribution rates: pension insurance (МИО) 18.8% + health insurance 7.5% + employment insurance 1.2% + additional health 0.5% = 28% total. Self-employed persons pay both employee and employer contribution shares on their declared income. Contributions are remitted monthly to the PRO.
💡 North Macedonia offers a low flat income tax (10%) and a straightforward registration process, making it attractive for remote workers and small business operators. The most common pitfall is underestimating ongoing bookkeeping and contribution obligations — engaging a local accountant (approximately MKD 3,000–8,000/month) is cost-effective given the filing complexity. Skopje has an active IT and startup community, and North Macedonia has signed a number of double tax treaties that may affect your home-country obligations.
🏢 Business Structures
DOOEL · Друштво со Ограничена Одговорност Основано од Едно Лице
Single-member LLC
MKD 307,500 (EUR 5,000 equivalent per Companies Law)
Min. capital
1–3 weeks (Central Registry registration; bank account opening may add additional time due to KYC)
Setup time
Liability: Limited to company assets — sole member not personally liable if corporate formalities are maintained
Setup cost: MKD 10,000–50,000+ (Central Registry of North Macedonia registration fee + legal and accounting support)
Best for: Foreign founders, IT freelancers, consultants, and small businesses needing a local legal entity for residence, invoicing, or employer-of-record purposes. The most common structure for solo expat operations.
DOO · Друштво со Ограничена Одговорност
Limited liability company (multi-member)
MKD 307,500 (EUR 5,000 equivalent per Companies Law)
Min. capital
1–4 weeks (Central Registry registration)
Setup time
Liability: Limited liability — partners not personally liable beyond their capital contribution
Setup cost: MKD 15,000–80,000+ (Central Registry registration + legal fees; varies by number of shareholders and complexity)
Best for: Multiple founders or local/foreign shareholder businesses, joint ventures, and operations where shared governance and separate legal personality are required.
TP · Трговец Поединец
Sole trader / self-employed individual
No statutory minimum capital required
Min. capital
3–10 business days (online registration via Central Registry)
Setup time
Liability: Unlimited personal liability — owner personally responsible for all business debts
Setup cost: MKD 500–2,000 (Central Registry of North Macedonia registration + municipal business licence)
Best for: Simple local self-employment where personal liability risk is low. The simplest and cheapest structure. Best for service providers with small turnover and minimal overhead.
AD · Акционерско Друштво
Joint-stock company
MKD 1,540,000 (EUR 25,000 equivalent per Companies Law — minimum 25% paid up at formation)
Min. capital
4–12 weeks (registration + board structure setup and regulatory approvals if applicable)
Setup time
Liability: Shareholder liability limited to their share investment
Setup cost: MKD 50,000–200,000+ (notary, legal, and registration fees + minimum capital funding)
Best for: Larger businesses, regulated activities (financial services, insurance), and investment structures requiring a publicly tradeable share format. Rarely used by SMEs or individual founders.
Branch Office · Подружница на Странско Трговско Друштво
Branch office of a foreign company
No separate minimum — parent company is responsible for all branch liabilities
Min. capital
2–6 weeks (registration + document legalisation)
Setup time
Liability: Foreign parent company fully liable for all branch obligations
Setup cost: MKD 10,000–50,000 (Central Registry registration + legal translation and apostille fees for parent company documents)
Best for: Foreign companies testing the North Macedonian market or establishing operational presence without a separate local entity. Requires legalised parent company documents and local accounting.
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