Living in North Macedonia as a French National: Formalities, Cities, Daily Life

North Macedonia, a country of 25,713 km² with two official languages, Macedonian and Albanian, appeals through a human-scale capital, mountain ranges, a good-quality telecommunications network and a central position in the Balkans. France Diplomatie describes a relatively stable political situation and a good-quality telecommunications network, with two mobile operators. Petrol stations are numerous throughout the territory.

The downsides should be prepared for before departure. Driving demands vigilance: drivers who pay little attention to priority rules and no-overtaking signs, ageing infrastructure, unlit vehicles, farm machinery, carts and animals on the roads. The rail network mainly serves freight: people travel by bus, and several companies link France, generally with a connection. The health system is described as adequate in the large cities but limited in rural areas, as the guide North Macedonian healthcare system details.

France Diplomatie cites as capital Skopje, where the French embassy (165 Aleksandrov Todor street) and its consular section are located, and as main cities Bitola, Kumanovo, Prilep, Tetovo, Veles, Štip and Ohrid. Skopje is home to the French embassy and its consular section. Ohrid, Bitola and Tetovo, in the north-west near the Šar massif, are among the most frequently cited cities.

For hiking, France Diplomatie notes that there is no public rescue service in the high mountains: you should stay on marked trails, not go alone and avoid off-piste skiing. In the mountains bordering Kosovo, hiking is possible, but the page calls for vigilance regarding possible traffickers and smugglers. The North Macedonian security forces may sometimes restrict movement in the Skopska Crna Gora massif and north of Tetovo, in the Šar massif.

The currency is the denar. The denar exchange rate against the euro varies: check the rate of the day. The National Statistical Institute shows the average monthly net salary (close to 48,000 denars), inflation and a high unemployment rate. These benchmarks place the local standard of living: a household that keeps its income in euros mainly compares its housing, transport and health insurance costs. The France Diplomatie pages give no level of rents; a written lease, translated and signed with the owner, secures the move.

At customs, any sum above 10,000 euros must be declared; the allowance includes 1 litre of spirits, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, and perfume in a reasonable quantity for personal use. Taking out archaeological items and ancient icons is subject to a certificate from the North Macedonian Ministry of the Interior.

French nationals do not need a visa for a stay of under three months. The passport must be valid for at least six months, or the national identity card valid; the passport is strongly recommended, as a card past its validity date may lead to refusal of entry, even if the French authorities consider it still valid. A minor not accompanied by their parents or legal representative must present a signed written authorisation and a photocopy of the signatory’s identity document. Overstaying leads to a check on departure, a fine of about 200 euros after appearing before a court, confiscation of the document and a ban on leaving the territory during the procedure.

Registration is compulsory within 48 hours of arrival, with the police station nearest to the place of residence; in a hotel, the establishment does this and gives the traveller a slip. For a professional or family reason, an extension beyond three months is possible with the Foreigners’ Office of the Ministry of the Interior; a professional stay of more than three months requires a long-stay visa requested from the North Macedonian embassy in Paris, and there is no short-stay business visa. The pages consulted do not describe long-stay residence permits: their detail should be confirmed with the embassy and the Ministry of the Interior. See also working in North Macedonia and retiring in North Macedonia.

The French driving licence is recognised for short stays. The international green card was abolished in April 2024, but it is still required at the border: it should be requested from your insurer before departure, and temporary insurance can be bought at the border if the contract does not cover the country. Police checks are frequent, by day and night, especially near the borders, with document checks and vehicle searches; the authorities actively fight drug use and trafficking.

The France Diplomatie pages consulted for this guide do not detail the French education available in North Macedonia; families contact the French embassy in Skopje (+389 2 324 43 00, consular section +389 2 551 77 28) and the Agency for French Education Abroad to find out about schools, correspondence courses and enrolment conditions.

For families, children’s health cover is one of the first decisions: see expat family insurance.

France Diplomatie rates the whole country as a zone of normal vigilance. The Safety page describes a relatively stable situation, invites readers to avoid crowds and to be careful near demonstrations, and to respect local sensitivities and national symbols. Visible crime is low, but pickpocketing is frequent in town centres, bus and railway stations, tourist sites, motorway service areas and during major festivals, especially in high season. Road legislation is strictly enforced, with fixed, mobile and hidden speed cameras; after an accident, you do not move the vehicle and you call the police, an ambulance if necessary and your insurer.

The territory lies entirely in a seismic zone, with regular tremors of low to medium intensity; the page recommends reading the French government’s earthquake instructions and the leaflet published by the embassy. The France Diplomatie pages consulted list no emergency number: they should be confirmed with the embassy, which can be reached on +389 2 324 43 00. Registering with Fil d’Ariane makes it possible to receive alerts.

France Diplomatie recommends bringing the usual vaccines up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough, measles) and, depending on the conditions of the stay, enquiring about hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B (frequent or prolonged stays) and rabies (young children, rural or isolated areas). West Nile fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, has no human vaccine. The page recalls that North Macedonia is not a member of the European Union and that the European health insurance card is not valid there: insurance covering all medical costs, surgery, hospitalisation and medical repatriation is essential, as the embassy cannot cover them. See healthcare reimbursement in North Macedonia and expat health insurance.