Practical information North Macedonia

For French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian nationals, no visa is required for a tourist stay of less than 90 days in North Macedonia. A valid passport covering the duration of the stay is sufficient, and the French national identity card is also accepted at entry. No fees or prior e-visa required – the stamp is applied upon arrival at Skopje airport or at land border crossings. For longer stays, studies or professional activities, a specific permit must be requested from the embassy. Our team systematically verifies the validity of your documents before departure and assists you in case of any difficulty at the border, which remains exceptional.

No vaccines are required to enter North Macedonia. We nonetheless recommend keeping up to date with routine vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough and MMR. Vaccines against hepatitis A and hepatitis B are advised for any stay, particularly if you plan stops in rural areas or mountain hiking. Rabies and tick-borne encephalitis may be considered for long-distance trekkers in the Mavrovo, Šar Planina and Pelister massifs, where stray dogs and ticks remain present in summer. No risk of malaria or yellow fever. A consultation with a general practitioner 4 to 6 weeks before departure is more than sufficient.

Macedonia remains one of Europe's most affordable destinations. Excluding international flights, expect 60 to 90 euros per day per person for comfortable travel in a double room, including breakfasts, lunches in kafanas, dinners at restaurants, and sightseeing. A night in a family guesthouse around Ohrid costs 30 to 45 euros, a 4-star hotel in Skopje 70 to 100 euros. A coffee costs 1 euro, a main course 7 to 12 euros, a bottle of local wine 8 to 15 euros at a restaurant. Car rental comes to 35-50 euros per day, fuel around 1.30 euros per liter. For a private circuit with an English-speaking driver-guide, expect 150 to 220 euros per day for two people.

The best periods are May-June and September-early October. Spring offers lush nature, temperatures between 18 and 25°C, and monasteries without crowds. Autumn delivers spectacular mountain colors and coincides with the grape harvest in the Vardar valley around Tikveš. July-August remain hot, 30 to 35°C in the plains, and are suitable for swimming in Lake Ohrid where water exceeds 22°C, but the shores fill with local and Albanian tourists. Winter, from December to March, appeals to snow enthusiasts with the Mavrovo and Popova Šapka ski resorts. Avoid November, often gray and rainy, unsuitable for hiking.

Car rental remains the most flexible option for discovering the country, which can be crossed in five hours from north to south. The main road network between Skopje, Ohrid, Bitola and Štip is in good condition, but mountain roads to Mavrovo, Galičnik or Pelister require caution, especially in rainy or snowy weather. The inter-city bus network, operated by several private companies, serves all towns for 5 to 12 euros per journey, but schedules change frequently. Train travel is minimal. For travelers who prefer not to drive, we organize private transfers or an English-speaking driver-guide, a formula appreciated for combining comfort and historical insights.

North Macedonia is among the safest countries in the Balkans for travelers. Crime targeting tourists remains very low, including in Skopje in the evening in the old bazaar or around Macedonian Square. Standard precautions are sufficient: watch your bag on long-distance buses, don't leave valuables visible in your car, keep a copy of your passport. Local driving requires vigilance, as some drivers readily exceed speed limits. In the mountains, don't hike alone off marked trails and inform your accommodation of your itinerary. Political tensions with neighboring countries have no impact on travelers. Our team in Skopje remains available 24/7 throughout your stay.