Europe

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• Snowfalls throughout Macedonia have caused delays to bus, rail and air travel. Contact your transport provider or Skopje Airport and check the weather status before travel.
  

• Malev Zrt. (MALEV), the state-owned Hungarian airline has ceased operations. See our travel advice for Hungary for further information.
  

• You should exercise caution and vigilance in areas where there are political or other large public gatherings.
  
• Latest reports state that all international rail services to Greece are suspended until further notice. For further information, please contact the local railway station or check the following web site: www.mz.com.mk.
  
  
• There are regular strikes and demonstrations in Greece that are called at short notice and can cause disruption to public transport in and out of Greece. British Nationals transiting Macedonia to Greece may need to change their travel arrangements en route. These strikes and demonstrations are sometimes called at short notice and can cause disruption to public transport in and out of Greece (including air travel and ports). See our Travel Advice for Greece.
  
  
• You should exercise caution if you intend to travel to the northern and western border regions of Macedonia. See Local Travel.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from international terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Sporadic acts of violence do still occur in Macedonia, particularly in the north, but also including Skopje. See Local Travel and Political Situation.
  
  
• Most visits to Macedonia are trouble-free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Macedonia.  See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from international terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime

Personal attacks against foreigners are extremely rare. Organised criminal groups are active. Shooting incidents, including in Skopje do occur sporadically, but are not targeted at foreigners. Serious crime is rare and people unconnected with these groups have not been specifically targeted, however, there is obviously a risk of accidental injury from such incidents as some people carry firearms. Gunfire can also be a part of celebration. There is always therefore the possibility of foreigners being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You should be vigilant at all times.

There have been several cases of foreigners being pick pocketed by gangs of children and bag snatchers in the main shopping and entertainment areas late at night. Foreign nationals appear to have been specifically targeted. You should ensure that your personal possessions are secure.

Credit card fraud is widespread and caution should be exercised when making a purchase using this method. The number of ATMs in Macedonia is increasing, making the withdrawal of local currency much easier.  

Acts of intimidation and harassment against nationals of western countries have been reported. In the event of civil disorder, we advise British nationals to stay at home and restrict their movements as much as possible, especially after dark. Avoid crowds and demonstrations generally.  Keep a low profile, vary times and routes of travel and ensure that travel documents are current.  Remain aware of your surroundings at all times.  See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel

Visitors to North West Macedonia should exercise particular caution as armed groups are known to operate there, and there are sometimes sporadic incidents of violence. While there is no evidence of foreigners being deliberately targeted, visitors to this region may find themselves the victims of local bandits or caught up in acts of violence.

You should exercise caution when travelling in regions near the Kosovo borders. Travel should be restricted to primary roads and daylight hours only. A high level of vigilance should be maintained. Particular care should be taken due to the continuing threat from land mines and unexploded ordnance.

You should exercise caution when travelling to the area bordering Serbia. Apart from designated border crossings, the immediate border area is a military restricted zone. Permission must be obtained from the nearest Macedonian police station before travelling to this zone.

Load Carrying Vehicles transiting Macedonia borders may be subject to long delays before being permitted to cross. You should ensure that you have the proper customs documentation prior to arrival at any of the Macedonian border crossings.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel

Traffic in Macedonia is unpredictable, road conditions and driving standards vary widely.  Driving styles and practises differ significantly from those in UK. Traffic regulations are not well adhered to and accidents are frequent. You are advised to exercise caution at all times whilst driving or on foot.

You can drive in Macedonia with either a UK or International Driving Licence.

By law all vehicles must use side lights/ dipped headlights during the day.

It is illegal to use mobile phones whilst driving.

It is a legal requirement for drivers and passengers to always wear seatbelts in Macedonia.

The legal drink/drive limit in Macedonia is lower than in the UK. There is a policy of zero tolerance for professional (e.g. HGV) drivers. The blood alcohol limit for other drivers is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood or 0.5 per millilitre. Drink driving whilst over the limit can result in heavy fines and the possibility of arrest.

If you are taking your car, you must have vehicle registration/ownership documents and a locally valid insurance policy.  European green card vehicle insurance is now valid in Macedonia.  If you do not have a green card valid for Macedonia you will be charged a cash border insurance fee, the price of which depends on your vehicle.  You are advised to confirm that your insurance company recognises that your policy covers Macedonia.

In case of emergency, drivers may contact the police at telephone 192, the Ambulance Service at telephone 194, and Roadside Assistance at telephone 196.

In the event of an accident, you should not move a vehicle until the police have recorded the incident and allowed you to do so.

See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Strikes in Greece

Latest reports state that all international rail services to Greece are suspended until further notice. For further information, please contact the local railway station or check the following web site www.mz.com.mk.

There are regular strikes and demonstrations in Greece. British Nationals transiting Macedonia to Greece may need to change their travel arrangements en route. These strikes and demonstrations are sometimes called at short notice and can cause disruption to public transport in and out of Greece (including air travel and ports). See our Travel Advice for Greece.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Rivers and Lakes

According to checks conducted in June by the State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate the water in Ohrid and Prespa lakes is of first category and Dojran Lake of second category, therefore they are suitable for swimming, recreation and water sports.
However water from the rivers Vardar and Treska as well as Lake Treska is rated fourth and fifth category, resulting in a swimming ban.

See our River and Sea Safety page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation

Macedonia Country Profile

The Presidential and Municipal elections in March and April 2009 passed off peacefully.

Taking photographs of any military installation, establishment or site of government or strategic importance is prohibited.  Do not take photographs or make notes near military or official installations. You are likely to have your film confiscated, be detained for questioning and possibly arrested if you do not observe this rule.

See our Your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

There is currently no requirement for holders of British passports to obtain visas for travel to Macedonia for up to three months. Holders of UK Refugee Travel Documents travelling to Macedonia or transiting the country en-route to Kosovo, must obtain visas for travel to, or transit through, Macedonia from the Macedonian Embassy in London.

Any longer duration than three months requires visitors to regulate their stay with the appropriate Macedonian authorities and the Macedonian Embassy in London.

Entry Requirements - Travel to Serbia from Kosovo

We are aware of incidents where foreign nationals, including those from the United Kingdom, are being denied entry into the Republic of Serbia from Macedonia if they hold entry/exit stamps from Kosovo. We have requested clarification from the Serbian authorities over their immigration requirements. In the meantime we advise that persons travelling to Serbia who have new Kosovan stamps in their passports revise their travel plans and consider alternative arrangements until further notice.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity

You must hold a valid, undamaged passport to enter Macedonia. Your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service.

Entry Requirements - Registering with the Police

It is essential that you register with the local police in the town/city where you are staying within 24 hours of your arrival in Macedonia, unless you are staying in a hotel where you will be registered automatically on checking-in. If you do not register you may be fined, detained or face a court appearance.  Failure to do so may result in a fine or possible removal from Macedonia (which may include a restriction on your ability to return to Macedonia for a certain period).

You are also advised to register with LOCATE online.

Entry Requirements - Dual nationality

There have been some incidents in which Macedonian nationals holding dual nationality in another country, have been detained on the grounds that they have avoided military service in either the Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM) or in the former Yugoslav National Army (JNA).  Dual British/Macedonian nationals visiting the country are advised to carry documents showing that they have completed their military service in either the ARM or JNA if applicable.  The final intake of conscripts into the Macedonian Army was in April 2006. Since then military service in Macedonia has been abolished. However dual nationals who have not completed military service in either the ARM or JNA are advised to check with their nearest Macedonian Embassy regarding their liability for this.  You are advised to check with the nearest Macedonian Embassy for up to date information on visa requirements before you travel.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children

Single parent or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the London Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia.

There is a reciprocal healthcare agreement for British nationals, which entitles you to free treatment in Macedonia for genuine emergencies. However, the health system in all parts of Macedonia is suffering from widespread shortage of medicines and other essentials. You would still need to pay some of the initial costs (usually between 50 and 100 euros). If the treatment is not deemed an emergency then you would be unable to claim anything back from the Macedonian authorities and you would be expected to pay the full cost of treatment. In order to receive treatment under the reciprocal arrangement you would need to show your British passport and your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to show you are entitled to receive NHS treatment in the UK.

The Ministry of Health has reported an increase in the number of people infected with measles. For further information click here.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that less than 1,000 adults aged 15 or over in Macedonia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at less than 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Macedonia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

See our Travel Health page.

Earthquakes are not uncommon in Republic of Macedonia and small tremors are recorded throughout the year without consequences. The last significant earthquake occurred on 2 July 2011 with magnitude of 2.0, but there were no casualties or significant damage.

Independent advice on how to prepare for an earthquake and how to protect yourself during an earthquake or tremor is available from many sources online. For further information please see the Embassy website http://www.ukinmacedonia.fco.gov.uk.

General - Insurance

It is essential to have adequate travel insurance before travelling to Macedonia as there is only an entitlement to basic first aid in the event of illness or accident. As the country remains outside the EU, your EHIC Card is of limited use – however as this is the only way to prove you are entitled to NHS treatment you should make sure you carry your EHIC card. All medical treatment will involve some cost. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  

Medical insurance is recommended as you may need to meet the full costs of treatment (see Health section) or if you are treated at a private hospital, as many public hospitals are poorly equipped. The health system in all parts of Macedonia is suffering from widespread shortage of medicines and other essentials.

There is a reciprocal healthcare agreement for British nationals, which entitles you to free treatment in Macedonia for genuine emergencies. You would still need to pay some of the initial costs (usually between 50 and 100 euros).  If the treatment is not deemed an emergency then you would be unable to claim anything back from the Macedonian authorities and you would be expected to pay the full cost of treatment.  In order to receive treatment under the reciprocal arrangement you would need to show your British passport and your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registering with the British Embassy

Whether travelling to or resident in Macedonia you are advised to register with, with our on-line registration system called LOCATE to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in a crisis.

General - Passports

Macedonians are required to carry identification documents with them at all times, and travellers are advised to do the same. As a precaution against thieves, we advise against carrying your passport if possible. We advise that you carry other valid photographic identification and/or a photocopy of your passport data page, keeping your passport in a secure, separate place. This will also help you to obtain a replacement, in case your passport is lost or stolen.

The loss or theft of a British passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the British Embassy in Skopje, or Honorary Consul in Bitola, as appropriate. The Honorary Consul in Bitola cannot issue new passports but can assist with the arrangements to apply for a new passport via Skopje.

For further information on passports, please visit the Identity and Passport Service website.

If your passport is lost or stolen the British Embassy in Skopje can issue you an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) only. Applications for new standard passports are accepted at the British Passport Processing Centre in Northern Europe, at the British Consulate-General in Dusseldorf.  For full details on applying please visit our Germany country website

General - Money

The official currency of Macedonia is the Denar. Credit cards are accepted in many of the larger hotels and shops, and ATMs increasingly accept international bank cards. British banks do not exchange Denars; you are advised to exchange any unwanted Denars before you leave Macedonia. You should only change money through banks or official exchange offices and not through street dealers. The British Embassy in Skopje cannot exchange currency. You will be unable to exchange Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes in Macedonia.

You must declare the cash amount of foreign currency greater than EUR 10,000 at Customs upon entry into Macedonia. Failure to do so may result in detention and forfeiture of funds when attempting to leave Macedonia.

Credit card fraud is widespread and caution should be exercised when making a purchase using this method. ATMs are widely available in Skopje, less so in other main towns.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics

Three British nationals required consular assistance in Macedonia in the period 1 April 2010 - 31 March 2011.