Relocating to North Macedonia: how to settle in
North Macedonia is an affordable, central-Balkans base: a low cost of living, a flat 10% income tax, the euro-pegged denar, and EU-candidate status. This section is a practical guide to settling in on the ground - and it’s being prepared.
We start with the non-regulatory things everyone needs: housing, connectivity, banking, transport, insurance. Documents, residence permits, and taxes are regulated by the state and change periodically - for those we give direct links to official sources rather than passing off old facts as current.
Documents and taxes change - verify with the primary source
The rules for entry, residence permits, company registration, and taxes in North Macedonia are revised periodically. Don’t rely on retellings in chats and outdated articles - verify the terms as of the time of your move directly with the government bodies (links below).
That’s why we don’t fix specific deadlines, amounts, and requirements here as unchanging, but point you to the official sites - they always have the current version.
Where to start on the ground
Housing for your first weeks
For the first weeks it’s convenient to stay in a hotel or apart-hotel, and look for a long-term rental on the ground, having seen the neighborhood in person. Popular local listing boards include pazar3.mk and reklama5.mk.
SIM card and internet
A local SIM is sold with a passport at operators’ offices - the main networks are A1 and Telekom (Makedonski Telekom). Mobile internet is inexpensive and Wi-Fi is widespread in the cities.
Bank account
Accounts for foreigners are opened by the major banks. Requirements and check times vary, so verify the document set and terms at a branch in advance.
Long-term rental
Leases usually run 6-12 months, with a deposit most often equal to one month. Prices depend on the city and season - Ohrid is more expensive in summer. Check the meters, the internet, and who pays for utilities.
Transport and getting around
In the cities there’s cheap public transport; between cities - intercity buses. For freedom of movement many rent a car - how that works is in our rental section.
Health and insurance
There are public and private clinics. For the move and for trips, medical insurance with coverage abroad is convenient - options are in our insurance section.
Daily life and money
The currency is the Macedonian denar (MKD), pegged to the euro (about 61.5 MKD per €1). Cards are accepted in the cities; cash is handy in smaller towns. English gets you a long way in tourist areas.
Detailed guides
In-depth, non-regulatory how-tos for settling in - coming as the section is built out.
- Cost of Living in North Macedonia Cost of living in North Macedonia 2026: real monthly ranges for rent in Skopje, Ohrid and Bitola, food, transport and bills, plus nomad and couple budgets.
- Living in Skopje and Ohrid as a Nomad Living in North Macedonia as a remote worker: Skopje vs Ohrid for nomads - neighbourhoods, coworking, cafés, internet speeds and who each city suits.
- Register a Company in North Macedonia How to register a DOO or DOOEL in North Macedonia in 2026: the Central Registry one-stop-shop, EUR 5,000 capital, and the flat 10% company and income tax.
- North Macedonia Residence Permit How to get a residence permit in North Macedonia: the work, business and property routes, the 2025 rule changes, and why there is no nomad visa.
Services for living in North Macedonia
What’s already on the site
Practical sections that come in handy when relocating:
Documents, visas, and taxes: official sources
For these topics we point you straight to government sites - they have the current rules, deadlines, and amounts. We’ll prepare separate breakdowns relying on these same sources.
- Visa, visa-free entry, and length of stay MFA of North Macedonia
- Residence permit Ministry of the Interior
- Taxes (flat 10% income tax, VAT) Public Revenue Office (UJP)
- Registering a company (DOO) Central Registry of North Macedonia
- Invest and do business Invest North Macedonia
Nuances people ask about
- The official language is Macedonian (Albanian is also official in many areas), but in tourist areas English gets you a long way.
- The money is the Macedonian denar (MKD), pegged to the euro. We show the current rate on the home page in the “Right now in North Macedonia” block.
- Internet and connectivity are inexpensive and decent in the cities.
- Housing in Ohrid gets noticeably more expensive in the summer season - worth keeping in mind for a long-term rental.