Last updated: 22 Oct 2025

North Macedonia

train

Rail / Intercity

About

North Macedonia is a mountainous country in the heart of the Balkans, sprinkled with beautiful valleys and lakes. It has a rich Hellenic heritage.

Its churches and mosques contain many fine examples of art and architecture from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Explore Skopje, Macedonia's capital. It's largely new, owing to an earthquake in 1963. There is, however, plenty to see. Skopje Old Town is the most attractive quarter of the city, full of shops and restaurants.

Visit the Church of the Holy Saviour with its intricately carved iconostasis. Also to be found in the Old Town are the Kursumli An (16th-century) and the Suli An (15th-century) caravanserais, and the Daut Pasha Baths with its two large and 11 small domes. It now houses the Art Gallery.

See the many mosques dating from the Ottoman period, particularly the 15th-century Mustafa Pasha Mosque, as well as the old 10th-century Kale Fortress and a magnificent footbridge spanning the River Vardar.
National Name: Republika Makedonija
Capital:  Skopje (SKP)
Currency:  Macedonian Denar (MKD)
Language:  Macedonian. English, French and German are widely spoken.
Dialling code from SA:  + 389
Time Zones: UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) 
Daylight Savings Time: From last Sunday March to last Sunday October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa)
Side of the Road: Right
Best Time to Go: May - September
Best for: Medieval Architecture, Religious Sites, Archaeological Sites
Plugs: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. European round two-pin plugs are used 
Drinking Water: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available. 
Health: There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it.
Customs: Normal social courtesies. Avoid discussing politics and the Balkan war.
Travel Tips / Warnings:  Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted. 
Duty Free: The following goods may be imported into Macedonia by travellers over 18 years old without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic drinks under 22% volume.
• 2L of wine.
• 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
• Other goods to the value of €350
Prohibited Imports: Unauthorised firearms and ammunition, unlicensed drugs, and counterfeit or pirated goods.  You must obtain a permit to import animals, plants or their products.
Prohibited Exports: Unauthorised firearms and ammunition, unlicensed drugs, and counterfeit or pirated goods.  You must obtain a permit to export objects of historical or cultural value.

Issuing Authorities

Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 7; Mar 31; Apr 21; May 1, 24; Aug 2; Sep 8; Oct 11, 23; Dec 8 (Additional optional holidays may be observed)

Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1, 7; Mar 20; Apr 13; May 1, 24-25; Aug 2-3; Sep 8; Oct 11-12, 23; Dec 8 (Additional optional holidays may be observed)

Visa Requirements

South African passport holders do require a visa and it must be obtained prior to arrival.

  • Third-country nationals with multiple-entry Schengen visa (type C) valid for at least 5 (five) days beyond the intended stay in the Republic of North Macedonia may stay no longer than 15 (fifteen) days upon every entry into the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia as long as the total length of stay does not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

Document needed for short-stay visa, up to 90 days (‘C’ visa)

  • recognised travel document valid at least 3 months beyond the period of intended stay in RNM
  • (individual and collective) travel insurance documents (policy issued by a legal insurance entity of the country of residence)
  • notarized warranty letter i.e., invitation letter by a Macedonian natural/legal person
  • proof of possession of sufficient resources for the duration of the stay in RNM (credit card/bank statement)
  • photography (size 3.5x4.5 cm) in colour with white background where the face of the applicant is clearly visible
  • proof of paid fees for processing the visa application 
  • neatly and legibly filled out visa application

 

SA Representative

Representation accredited from Athens, Hellenic Republic (Greece)

Travel Health

Compulsory:  None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:  Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tetanus, Polio