North Macedonia digital nomad visa & residency (2026)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Invest North Macedonia's official portals list no dedicated digital nomad or remote-work visa category. Widely circulated aggregator claims of such a visa lack any official government source or gazette reference.

Foreigners may apply for a Personal Work Permit by registering a sole proprietorship in the Central Trade Register. The application requires a business plan, proof of financial means, health insurance, and a clean criminal record; the permit is typically issued for one year and is renewable.

A Temporary Residence Permit (valid one year, extendable) is issued alongside the Personal Work Permit. After five continuous years on a temporary residence basis, a foreigner becomes eligible to apply for Permanent Residence.

Amendments in force from 26 September 2025 reduced paperwork for first-time applicants (e.g., proof of intermediation filing with the Employment Agency is no longer required for certain categories), tightened renewal windows (90–5 days before expiry), and set monthly data exchange between the Ministry of Interior and Employment Agency.

Nationals of EU/Schengen states may enter visa-free with a national ID for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Many other nationalities also enjoy visa-free short stays or can obtain a C-type visa; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the full list. Short stays do not confer the right to work.

North Macedonia operates a Citizenship by Investment scheme (€200,000 into an approved private fund or €400,000 in a job-creating business) reinstated in 2021, but multiple specialist advisories note the programme has not actively accepted applications and remains on hold as of 2025–2026.