North Macedonia
About
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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. |
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| 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) |
| Public Holidays 2022: |
Jan 1, 7; Apr 25; May 1-3, 24; Aug 2; Sep 8; Oct 11, 23-24; Dec 8 |
| 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. |
Travel Alerts
Test requirements
- Passengers must hold one of the following documents:
- A Covid-19 vaccination certificate, provided the passenger has received 2 doses of the vaccine;
- A recovery certificate showing the passenger has recovered from Covid-19 in the past 45 days; or
- A negative RT-PCR test result obtained 72 hours prior to arrival.
- This does not apply to nationals of North Macedonia.
Quarantine requirements
- Passengers travelling from India must quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
- Nationals of North Macedonia not holding a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, a Covid-19 recovery certificate, or a negative RT-PCR test result must quarantine for 7 days on arrival at home as determined by the Macedonian State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate. Passengers may submit to PCR testing on day 5, and if a negative result is received their quarantine may end.
Exit requirements
- Passengers departing North Macedonia must hold one of the following documents:
- A Covid-19 vaccination certificate, provided the passenger has received 2 doses of the vaccine;
- A recovery certificate showing the passenger has recovered from Covid-19 in the past 45 days;
- A negative PCR test result obtained 72 hours prior to departure, or a negative antigen test obtained within 48 hours prior to departure.
This Information is intended as a Guideline.
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 |
