North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia) travel guide
About North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia)
The Republic of North Macedonia, formerly known as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (sometimes abbreviated as FYROM and FYR Macedonia), is underrated and under-explored. A mountainous nation at the heart of the Balkans, it’s sprinkled with picturesque valleys and shimmering lakes, offering outdoor appeal in spades. Yet that isn't its sole selling point – North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia) also has a bustling capital, a rich Hellenic heritage and an up-and-coming wine industry that appears on the cusp of international recognition.
For most visitors, the adventure begins in the capital Skopje. The cityscape is an incongruous jumble of buildings and gigantic neoclassical statuary. Monolithic socialist apartment blocks sit beside grandiloquent monuments, controversially added during an ambitious government scheme dubbed Skopje 2014. Old Ottoman and Byzantine edifices hark back to the nation's pre-communist history, while buzzing bars and clubs project its forward-looking aspirations.
Rural North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia) is far easier of the eye. Blessed with an extraordinary diversity of landscapes, the countryside is also home to serene lakeside towns such as Ohrid, which offers glorious relief from the sizzling Balkan summer. Visitors can while away lazy days on the dreamy lake’s edge, visit the region’s handsome, time-warp churches and enjoy languid evenings quaffing wine produced in the surrounding hills.
From Ohrid push on into the endless green pastures of the Šar Planina mountain range, where the tranquil glacier lakes mirror the surrounding peaks, or try trekking the mountainous Pelister National Park, a dead ringer for the Swiss Alps. Outdoor enthusiasts heading to the remote hinterlands are more likely to see wild goats than deluxe resorts, but the country’s rustic inns are welcoming and affordable. During winter, there are many opportunities for skiing and snowboarding, particularly in the Mavrovo region.
Like most countries in the region, North Macedonia (FYR Macedonia) has had its fair share of political and economic problems over the years. But shrug aside the stigma of the past and you’ll find a different Europe – one that’s fresh, crowd-free and, for the time being, incredibly affordable.
Key facts
25,713 sq km (9,927.8 sq miles).
2,081,012 (UN estimate 2016).
81.5 per sq km.
Skopje.
Republic.
President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova since 2024.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski since June 2024.
Travel Advice
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you:
- women travellers
- disabled travellers
- LGBT+ travellers
- solo and independent travel
- volunteering and adventure travel
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in North Macedonia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Macedonian Embassy in the UK.
COVID-19 rules
There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering North Macedonia.
Passport validity requirements
To enter North Macedonia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 90 days after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
You can visit North Macedonia for up to 3 months without a visa.
If you plan to stay for longer, contact the Macedonian Embassy.
Travelling with children
Before you travel, ask your airline if you need to complete any forms for children travelling:
- alone
- with only one parent
- with an adult who is not their legal guardian
If you are travelling through (transiting) other countries, check travel advice for those countries for additional requirements.
UK refugee travel documents
If you hold a UK refugee travel document, you must have a visa to travel to North Macedonia. You also need a visa to travel through North Macedonia on your way to Kosovo. You can apply for a visa from the Macedonian Embassy in the UK.
Registering with the police
You must register with the local police in the town or city where you’re staying within 48 hours of your arrival in North Macedonia. If you’re staying in a hotel, staff will register you at check-in.
Keep the registration document with you until you leave North Macedonia. If you have registered with the police directly, you must de-register 24 hours before you leave the country. You can register with the police online (in Macedonian).
If you do not register, you may face:
- a fine
- detention and a court hearing
- a restriction on returning to North Macedonia
Travelling to Serbia
Serbia has sometimes denied entry to people leaving North Macedonia with passport stamps from Kosovo.
Vaccine requirements
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s North Macedonia guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of North Macedonia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
Taking money into North Macedonia
Declare foreign currency if the value is 10,000 euros or more when you enter North Macedonia. If you do not, customs officers may detain you and seize the cash when you try to leave.
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in North Macedonia
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in North Macedonia.
Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. Terrorists may target religious sites, including churches.
The authorities in North Macedonia have carried out raids against suspected terrorists. There’s a risk of terrorist attacks inspired by extremist ideology in North Macedonia.
Political situation
Occasionally there are protests which can cause disruption. Check local media for the latest information, be vigilant and avoid large crowds and gatherings.
If there is civil disorder, stay indoors when possible, especially after dark, and avoid crowds and demonstrations.
Crime
Attacks against foreign nationals are extremely rare.
Organised crime groups are active, particularly in northern areas near the border with Kosovo.
There are occasional shooting incidents, including in Skopje, but they are not targeted at foreign nationals. People sometimes fire guns when celebrating.
Protecting your belongings
There have been several cases of pickpocketing by gangs of children and bag snatching in the main shopping and entertainment areas late at night. Foreign nationals appear to have been specifically targeted. Make sure your personal possessions are secure.
Keep your passport in a safe place and carry a copy of the photo page for identification. If it is lost or stolen, report it to the local police and cancel your passport immediately.
Laws and cultural differences
Using cameras in secure areas
It is illegal to take photographs of any military installation or site of government or strategic importance.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual relationships are legal, but people in North Macedonia are not particularly open about them. LGBT+ bars and restaurants are not common. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Money
British banks do not exchange Macedonian denars, so exchange any unwanted denars before you leave. You should only change money through banks or official exchanges and not through street dealers. You will not be able to exchange Scottish or Northern Irish banknotes.
Transport risks
Road travel
If you are planning to drive in North Macedonia, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s North Macedonia guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of. You can get fines for:
- not using side lights or dipped headlights, including during the day
- using a mobile phone while driving
- not wearing a seatbelt, as both a driver and a passenger
- not having all the required safety equipment, including snow chains where conditions require them
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in North Macedonia. Unless you’re driving a rental car or have a residence permit, you’ll also need to have the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP). You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as at least 2 years of driving experience and a higher minimum age.
If you have an accident, do not move your vehicle until the police record the incident and allow you to move. In case of emergency, contact:
- police: 192
- ambulance: 194
- roadside assistance: 196
Drink-driving is a serious offence in North Macedonia. If you are tested and found to have 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (England’s limit is 80mg per 100ml), you may get a heavy fine and possible imprisonment. If you’re a professional driver (for example, an HGV driver), any alcohol in your system can lead to arrest and a heavy fine.
When travelling on major roads, you can pay the toll in Macedonian denars or in euros with cash or a credit card.
Driving standards
Driving standards and road conditions vary widely. Driving styles differ significantly from those in UK. Accidents are common. Always take care while driving or on foot.
Driving a British car in North Macedonia
If you are taking your own car, you must have:
- vehicle registration
- ownership documents
- valid insurance to drive in North Macedonia
Check your insurance covers you to drive in North Macedonia and you are able to show proof to border officials. A green card might be helpful to demonstrate you have the correct cover.
Check if you need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK.
Delays for lorries at borders
Lorries crossing the North Macedonia border may be subject to long delays. Make sure you have the proper customs documentation before you arrive at the border.
Air travel
From November to February there can be thick fog in Skopje and surrounding areas. There can be flight delays and diversions if fog affects visibility at Skopje airport.
You can find flight information on the Skopje International Airport website.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
Wildfires
Wildfires can happen during summer months. Check local media for information on fires and follow any instructions from local authorities.
In the summer months the authorities may ban movement in forest areas to help prevent fires. Follow advice from local authorities. If you ignore a ban, you may get a fine.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes occur occasionally. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Dial 194 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip check:
- the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s North Macedonia guide
- where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page
See what health risks you’ll face in North Macedonia, including:
- West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases
- air pollution
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of North Macedonia. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Healthcare in North Macedonia
There is a reciprocal healthcare agreement for British nationals, which entitles you to free emergency treatment in North Macedonia.
Make sure you have adequate insurance. You may need to pay before getting some treatment. Familiarise yourself with your travel insurance policy and what it covers.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in North Macedonia where some staff will speak English.
Travel and mental health
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Emergency services in North Macedonia
Ambulance: 194
Police: 192
Roadside assistance: 196
Contact your travel provider and insurer
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Support from FCDO
FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
- finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in North Macedonia
- dealing with a death in North Macedonia
- being arrested in North Macedonia
- getting help if you’re a victim of crime
- what to do if you’re in hospital
- if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack
Contacting FCDO
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
You can also contact FCDO online.
Help abroad in an emergency
If you are in North Macedonia and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy in Skopje.
FCDO in London
You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
Risk information for British companies
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in North Macedonia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
