For Individuals

Macedonian passports are issued by the Ministry of Interior (MoI). Citizens abroad can apply at Macedonian embassies or consulates for a new passport or renewal (biometric data capture is done on-site). The requirements (application form, current passport, ID or birth certificate, fees, etc.) are the same as applying in-country, and the consulate will forward your application to MoI. Once printed, the new passport is delivered back to the same embassy/consulate for pickup.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia

• Dimče Mirčev 9, Skopje, Municipality of Centar
• 389 2 3117 222
• javnost@moi.gov.mk
• www.mvr.gov.mk

ID cards are generally issued only to residents of Macedonia. A citizen who has moved abroad can hold a valid ID card if they had one before leaving (i.e. they maintained a registered address in Macedonia). However, if you were born abroad and have never lived in Macedonia, you cannot obtain an ID card (no registered residence).

Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia

• Dimče Mirčev 9, Skopje, Municipality of Centar
• 389 2 3117 222
• javnost@moi.gov.mk
• www.mvr.gov.mk

Renewal or replacement of a Macedonian driver’s license typically must be done in Macedonia at an MoI office; there is no consular issuance. If your Macedonian driver’s license expired while abroad, you would need to renew it upon return (after a long absence you may need to pass a medical exam). If you obtained a foreign driver’s license, Macedonia has procedures for converting certain foreign licenses when you return to live in Macedonia.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia

• Dimče Mirčev 9, Skopje, Municipality of Centar
• 389 2 3117 222
• javnost@moi.gov.mk
• www.mvr.gov.mk

If you lose your passport abroad or it expires while you are overseas, contact the nearest Macedonian embassy/consulate immediately. They can issue an emergency travel document to return home, and you can apply for a new passport through them. Lost passports must be reported to the embassy/consulate and local authorities.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia

• Dimče Mirčev 9, Skopje, Municipality of Centar
• 389 2 3117 222
• javnost@moi.gov.mk
• www.mvr.gov.mk

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoI) handles citizenship applications, including reacquisition of citizenship for émigrés, registering children born abroad as Macedonian citizens, renunciation of citizenship, etc. Macedonian emigrants and their direct descendants may be eligible for facilitated citizenship re-acquisition. Applications for citizenship can be submitted at an embassy / consulate (they will forward to MoI in Skopje). Contact: Nearest Macedonian Embassy/Consulate or MoI Consular Liaison. Consulates often assist with citizenship forms for diaspora.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia

• Dimče Mirčev 9, Skopje, Municipality of Centar
• 389 2 3117 222
• javnost@moi.gov.mk
• www.mvr.gov.mk

If you plan to move back to Macedonia or stay long-term, you must register a residence address with the local authorities. This is done at the local police station (Ministry of Internal Affairs office) in your town. If you had left the country for an extended period, you should also inform the authorities of your return.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia

• Dimče Mirčev 9, 1000 Skopje, Municipality of Centar
• 389 2 3117 222
• javnost@moi.gov.mk
• www.mvr.gov.mk

Macedonians abroad can own property in Macedonia. Transactions (sales, purchases) must be executed via notarized contracts in Macedonia. If you cannot be present, you may authorize a representative in Macedonia with a notarized Power of Attorney. Key documents like the Title Deed (Imoten List) can be obtained from the Agency for Real Estate Cadastre.

Agency for Real Estate Cadastre

• Trifun Hadji Janev 4, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 3173 777 (Skopje HQ)
• info@katastar.gov.mk
• e-uslugi.katastar.gov.mk

If you inherit assets in Macedonia (property, bank assets, etc.) while living abroad, the inheritance must go through a notarial probate procedure in Macedonia. You will likely need to engage a lawyer or communicate with a notary. This typically cannot be done online. You may authorize someone to represent you via Power of Attorney if you cannot travel.

Using a professional service or attorney in Macedonia is highly advisable for diaspora.

Property owners must pay annual property taxes to the local municipality. If you own property in Macedonia but live abroad, ensure you receive the tax notices. Some larger municipalities allow online tax payment, but generally this is handled via a bank transfer to the municipality account.

Local Municipality Department of Local Taxes

• 389 2 3297 204 (example: City of Skopje tax department)

Public Revenue Office of the Republic of North Macedonia

• 389 2 3299 200
• info@ujp.gov.mk
• www.ujp.gov.mk

Using a professional service or attorney in Macedonia is highly advisable for diaspora.

Macedonian citizens abroad are typically not taxed by Macedonia on foreign income (if you are a non-resident for tax purposes). However, if you have income from Macedonia (rental income, sale of property, etc.), you may have to report and pay taxes in Macedonia. The Public Revenue Office (Uprava za Javni Prihodi - UJP) is the institution in charge of taxes. They offer an online tax portal for filing and payments, but to use it you need to register and obtain login credentials (which may require a digital certificate or a Macedonian phone number).

The Public Revenue Office can issue tax clearance certificates and answer questions about any tax liabilities. Non-residents often handle tax via an accountant or when visiting Macedonia.

Public Revenue Office of the Republic of North Macedonia - Headquarters

• 11th October 27, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 3299 500
• 389 2 3253 200 (Info Center)
• info@ujp.gov.mk
• www.ujp.gov.mk

If you worked in Macedonia before emigrating, you might have questions about your social insurance status. Generally, once you leave and are no longer employed in Macedonia, you stop contributing to health insurance and pension in Macedonia. If you return to work or retire in Macedonia, those contributions become relevant again. (See Pensions below for diaspora pension details.)

If you decide to relocate back to Macedonia permanently, you may be eligible for customs exemptions on personal belongings. The Customs Administration can provide details on duty-free import of household goods or a personal vehicle when returning.

Customs Administration of the Republic of North Macedonia

• Lazar Lichenoski 13, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 3298 210
• info@customs.gov.mk
• www.customs.gov.mk

Note: There is no dedicated e-service for this scenario; it involves submitting an application and inventory of goods at import.

If you have earned a pension in Macedonia (by working and contributing to the state Pension and Disability Insurance Fund), you are entitled to receive it even while living abroad. Macedonia has bilateral social security agreements with many countries (e.g., Croatia, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, etc.), which coordinate pension rights. You can apply for your Macedonian pension from abroad through the embassy or directly with the Pension Fund.

Pension and Disability Insurance Fund of North Macedonia - Central Office Skopje

• 23 Oktomvri 11, 1000 Skopje, Municipality of Aerodrom
• 389 2 3250 100
• info@piom.com.mk
• www.piom.com.mk

A Macedonian pension can be paid to a foreign bank account. You will need to provide the Pension Fund with your international bank details (IBAN, SWIFT) and typically a proof of life certificate twice a year to continue receiving payments. Specifically, pensioners living outside Macedonia must send a Life Certificate every April and October to the Fund. This is usually done via a form stamped by a local authority or Macedonian embassy. Missing these submissions can lead to temporary suspension of payments, so it is important to comply.

Pension and Disability Insurance Fund of North Macedonia - Central Office Skopje

• 23 Oktomvri 11, 1000 Skopje, Municipality of Aerodrom
• 389 2 3250 100
• info@piom.com.mk
• www.piom.com.mk

Macedonian citizens abroad are generally not covered by Macedonia Health Insurance Fund while non-resident. If you return to live in Macedonia or even for a short visit, you may need to renew your health insurance (if permanently returning, register with the Health Insurance Fund (FZOM); for short visits, consider travel insurance).

Some services like obtaining a European Health Insurance Card for temporary travel might be available if you are insured in Macedonia, but if you reside abroad you would use the health system of your country of residence.

Health Insurance Fund of the Republic of North Macedonia

• Str. Makedonija 5, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 3289 000
• 389 2 3289 083
• info@fzo.org.mk
• fzo.org.mk

If you earned a diploma or academic qualification abroad and you need it recognized in Macedonia (for employment or further education when you return), you must apply for recognition of a foreign diploma through the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES). As of late 2020 the process is fully digitized. Applications for recognizing foreign educational qualifications are submitted online via the MoES e-services portal (https://e-uslugi.mon.gov.mk). You will need to upload scanned documents (diplomas, transcripts, translations) and pay the fee electronically.

ENIC/NARIC Center, Ministry of Education and Science

• Ss. Cyril and Methodius 54, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 311 7896
• contact@mon.gov.mk
• mon.gov.mk

If you need copies of your Macedonian school certificates (for use abroad), you can request these from the relevant institutions: for example, high school diploma from your former school or local education authority, university transcripts from the university student services. Some universities have online request systems, but many require a mailed request or personal pick-up.

Ministry of Education and Science or local school/university

• Ss. Cyril and Methodius 54, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 311 7896
• contact@mon.gov.mk
• mon.gov.mk

Note: An apostille may be required for use abroad.

The government or universities offer special scholarships or programs for Macedonian diaspora (for learning the Macedonian language, culture, etc.). Information on these can be found on the Ministry of Education and Science or the Agency for Emigration website. For example, some summer programs in Skopje teach Macedonian to youth from the diaspora.

Ministry of Education and Science - Department for International Cooperation

• Ss. Cyril and Methodius 54, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 311 7896
• contact@mon.gov.mk
• mon.gov.mk

Agency for Emigration

• Street Makedonija 19, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 3118 633
• info@minisel.gov.mk
• minisel.gov.mk

Macedonian citizens living abroad have the right to vote in national elections (parliamentary/presidential) by registering in advance. The State Election Commission (SEC) operates an online system for diaspora voter registration. Before an election, you must fill out a form on the SEC diaspora voting application portal (https://dijaspora.sec.mk) to register as an overseas voter. Once approved, you can vote at designated embassies/consulates. Registration is done online on SEC portal.

Note that you need a valid Macedonian passport/ID to register. Contact the State Election Commission or your nearest embassy/consulate which acts as a polling station.

State Election Commission (SEC)

• Ss. Cyril and Methodius 54, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 3244 744
• izbori@sec.mk
• dijaspora.sec.mk

Macedonia no longer has compulsory military service, so diaspora citizens are not required to return for service (this is a common question for young men abroad). For those who previously had obligations, laws have changed - verify with the Ministry of Defense if needed.

Ministry of Defence

• Orce Nikolov 116, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 3282 042
• kabinetMO@mod.gov.mk
• mod.gov.mk

Embassies and consulates of Macedonia can provide a range of consular services, including notarization of certain documents, legalization (certifying documents with an apostille or consular stamp), issuing various certificates and verifications, etc. For example, a consulate can certify a translation or a copy of a document to be used officially in Macedonia. Contact your nearest embassy/consulate (see MFA mission directory).

Diplomatic Consular Missions

• mfa.gov.mk

If you need a Macedonian Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (Police clearance) for use abroad (e.g., immigration or employment purposes), you can obtain this from the Ministry of Internal Affairs - Department of Criminal Records. Macedonian missions abroad sometimes assist by forwarding applications for diaspora. Digital availability is partial - there is an e-service to request a criminal record certificate on the national portal, but it likely requires a login with a national eID. Many people use a proxy in Macedonia to apply and pick it up or request via nearest embassy.

Ministry of Internal Affairs - Central Police Records

• Dimče Mirčev 9, 1000 Skopje, Municipality of Centar
• 389 2 3147 402
• javnost@moi.gov.mk
• www.mvr.gov.mk

This government agency is dedicated to the Macedonian diaspora. While it does not issue documents, it provides information and support to expatriates. The Agency publishes guides and FAQs for citizens abroad, and can direct you to the right institution for various needs. Their website features news for diaspora and useful links, including a list of all Macedonian diplomatic missions. They have also compiled practical FAQs (e.g., on passport renewal abroad, citizenship for descendants, pension collection abroad, etc.) which can be very useful.

Agency for Emigration of the Republic of North Macedonia

• Str. Makedonija 19, 1000 Skopje
• 389 2 3118 633
• info@minisel.gov.mk
• minisel.gov.mk