North Macedonia (MK)

Valid passport required. At least 3 months validity beyond intended stay for short visits; ideally 12+ months for residence permit applications. Required for entry, MOI (Ministry of Internal Affairs) registration, banking, and all official procedures. Keep the original and several photocopies.

Check whether your nationality requires a type C (short-stay) or type D (long-stay/national) visa before travel. EU, US, UK, and many other nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Visa-free entry does not grant residence or work rights — a separate temporary residence permit is required for stays beyond the visitor period.

Issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOI/MVR) for stays beyond the visitor period. Grounds include employment, family reunification, study, property ownership, and other purposes. Apply at the nearest MOI office before your visa or visa-free period expires. Typically issued for one year, renewable. The permit also functions as the basis for obtaining an EMBG (Единствен матичен број на граѓанинот — unique civil registration number).

Required for work-based temporary residence and work permit applications. Employer must first obtain a work permit from the Employment Service Agency (Агенција за вработување — AVRM). Contract must comply with the Macedonian Labour Law, specifying salary in MKD, position, and duration. Also required for bank account KYC, payroll registration, and health insurance enrolment.

Required for dependent children's residence, family reunification, school enrolment, and citizenship applications. North Macedonia is a Hague Apostille Convention member — foreign birth certificates must be apostilled by the issuing country. Certified translation into Macedonian by a court-certified interpreter (судски преведувач) required.

Required for spousal residence permit, family reunification, joint banking, and inheritance. Must be apostilled (North Macedonia is a Hague member) and translated into Macedonian by a certified court interpreter. Registered at the Municipal Civil Registry (matičar) for formal recognition.

Required for temporary residence and work permit applications. Obtain from your home country and any country where you have lived for more than 6 months in the past 5 years. Must be apostilled (Hague member) and translated into Macedonian by a certified court interpreter (судски преведувач). Must be recent — typically issued no more than 6 months before the application.

Required for regulated professions and work permit applications. Foreign degree recognition is handled by the National Centre for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) for vocational qualifications, and by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) for higher education. Must be apostilled and translated into Macedonian by a certified court interpreter. Professional bodies (medical council, bar association, engineering chamber) have additional recognition procedures.

Foreigners staying in private accommodation must have the host or landlord register their stay with the local police station (prijava na prestoj) within 3 days of arrival. Hotels register guests automatically. The registration slip (white card) is required for official procedures. Failure to register can affect your residence application.

Enrolled employees are automatically covered by the Health Insurance Fund (ФЗОМ — Fond za zdravstveno osiguruvanje na Makedonija). Non-working residents must obtain private international health insurance. Proof of health coverage is required for temporary residence applications and for registration with a chosen family doctor.

Required for certain residence categories (self-sufficient, property-based) and bank account opening. Foreign bank statements should be recent (3–6 months) and may need a bank stamp or certified translation. Required by banks for KYC compliance and for some rental agreements.

Rental agreement or notarised accommodation consent (izjava za smestuvanje) from the property owner. Required for address registration (white card), temporary residence application, and utility setup. Lease agreements should be notarised or registered with the local municipality for legal validity.

Foreign driving licences are valid temporarily in North Macedonia. EU/EEA and bilateral-agreement country licences can be exchanged for a Macedonian licence at the MOI without retesting; others must pass a theory and practical test. An International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your home licence is useful for the interim period. Bring a driving record from your home country for insurance purposes.

Required for bringing pets to North Macedonia: EU pet passport or official animal health certificate, microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785), valid rabies vaccination record, and certificate from a licensed vet. Present to the border veterinary inspector on entry. Check the Food and Veterinary Agency (AHV) requirements for your pet's country of origin before travel.