Officially known as the Republic of North Macedonia, North Macedonia is a landlocked country located in the Balkans in Southeastern Europe that shares borders with Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Albania. The country is known for its mountainous terrain, scenic lakes, and rich cultural heritage, along with its blend of ancient history (Ottoman and Byzantine) and diverse ethnic traditions. North Macedonia was formerly part of Yugoslavia and became independent in 1991. It officially changed its name from 'Macedonia' to North Macedonia in 2019 as part of an agreement with Greece, resolving a long-standing dispute over the name.
The capital of North Macedonia is Skopje: the largest city in the country. Located in the north, and sits on the Vardar River, which divides the city in two. Skopje is known for its mix of Ottoman, Byzantine, and modernist architecture, and landmarks such as Stone Bridge, Skopje Fortress, the Old Bazaar (one of the largest and oldest marketplaces in the Balkans), the Mother Teresa Memorial House and the Statue of Alexander the Great (a.k.a.: the 'Warrior on a Horse'). The city has underwent extensive urban redevelopment in the 2010s under the controversial "Skopje 2014" project, which introduced many neoclassical-style buildings and monuments.
UTC+1 daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and landslides,
Here’s a breakdown of traffic and driving-related violations and their penalties:
Other offences include:
On‑the‑spot cash payments are not permitted. If an officer demands cash, report them (they may be scammers pretending to be law enforcers). Fines must be paid at a bank or post office, and there may be a 50% reduction if paid within 8 days.
If you are staying in private accommodations (e.g. Airbnb or a friend/relative’s home), you must register with the local police within 48 hours of arrival (this also applies for changes of address). Failure to do so can result in a fine of ден1,538 – ден15,383 (~£22 - £216). If staying in a hotel, this process is handled automatically during check-in. There’s also a requirement to de-register before leaving. While less commonly enforced, missing this may cause issues (e.g., complications on return trips).
The official languages of North Macedonia are Macedonian and Albanian, but Turkish, Romani, Serbian, Bosnian and Aromanian are also spoken.
In North Macedonia, driving is on the right, where overtaking is done on the left, and road signs follow the Vienna Convention standards. The minimum age to drive is 18, but the renting age is 21 (sometimes 25 for premium vehicles) along with a valid licence held for at least 2 years. A 'Young driver surcharge' is applied to drivers under 25. UK licence holders are required to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) for rental agencies and the police.
Major highways are in good repair, but rural and mountain roads are often narrow, winding, and poorly lit. Use caution at night and in adverse conditions. Also, dipped headlights are mandatory; day and night. Tolls are payable in denars or euros. Major routes like Skopje–Gevgelija, Skopje–Tetovo, etc., are tolled.
Gasoline (92, 95, and 98 octane), diesel, and LPG. For rentals, full-to-full is recommended to avoid overcharge. Other options like prepaid fuel often end up being more costly.
The BAC limit is 0.05%. Zero tolerance applies to professional or newly licensed drivers.
All occupants must wear seatbelts.
Children under age 12 are not allowed in the front passenger seat.