Your first month in North Macedonia
What to do between the day you land in Skopje and the week classes start, ordered by the points our students most often get stuck on.
Entering the country
Citizens of Türkiye can enter North Macedonia without a visa and stay up to 90 days within 180 days. To stay for your studies you need a residence permit, which you apply for after arrival.
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least the first year of your studies.
- Carry your acceptance letter, diploma and certified translations both on paper and digitally.
- Your address must be registered with the police. Hotels do this for you; in a rented flat you do it with your landlord.
Residence permit
Student residence permits are handled by offices of the Ministry of Interior. You are usually asked for an enrolment certificate, a rental contract or dorm letter, health insurance and proof of sufficient funds. The list can change, so get the current one from your university's international office before your appointment.
- Documents may need a certified Macedonian translation; allow time for it.
- Keep your passport and application receipt with you until the permit is issued.
Phone and internet
You can buy a prepaid SIM with your passport at the airport or in operator shops in town. The main operators are A1 Makedonija and Makedonski Telekom. A local number also helps with taxi apps and banking.
- Use the guides you saved offline until your SIM works.
- Keep your home number active for bank and government verification codes.
Money and banking
The currency is the Macedonian denar (MKD). Cards work in supermarkets and chain stores; markets, small shops and some taxis need cash. Euros are sometimes accepted, but paying in denars is better.
- Banks usually ask for a passport and a residence permit or student certificate; requirements vary by bank.
- Bring a reasonable amount of euros for the first week and change them at an exchange office.
Housing
University dorms, private dorms and rented flats are the main options. Landlords usually ask for one month's rent as a deposit; electricity, water, heating and building fees are often not included.
- Get rent, deposit, bills and move-out terms in writing.
- Ask how heating is paid in winter; buildings on district heating in Skopje are billed separately.
- Test the commute to your faculty at real times before you sign.
Health
Health insurance is required for the residence permit. In an emergency call 194 for an ambulance or 112. Pharmacies are everywhere and on-duty pharmacies open at night.
- If you take regular medication, carry the prescription and the active ingredient name.
- Find out which hospitals and clinics your insurance covers.
Climate and air quality
Summers in Skopje are hot and winters cold. Air pollution can rise in winter, especially during the heating season, so it helps to follow air quality readings and air your home accordingly.
Language and daily life
The official language is Macedonian, written in Cyrillic. In cities with large Albanian communities such as Tetovo and Gostivar, Albanian is also official. In Skopje's Old Bazaar and around Gostivar you will meet shopkeepers who speak Turkish. English is common among young people.
- Start with the alphabet section of the language guide; reading signs makes the first week much easier.
- The taxi, bus and shopping guides cover most daily errands.