Macedonia: arrival and transport
How to get to Macedonia
Air connections
Macedonia has two international airports, Skopje and Ohrid. Most international flights fly to Skopje.
The following well-known airlines fly to Macedonia: Adria Airways, Aeroflot, Austrian Airlines, British World Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Eurowings, MAT (Macedonian Airlines), Malev – Hungarian Airlines, Turkish Airlines.
Railway
There are regular trains from Skopje to Belgrade (Serbia) and Thessaloniki (Greece).
Bus
From Germany you can take Eurolines to Skopje. There are also regular bus connections between Skopje and Tirana (Albania), Sofia (Bulgaria), Belgrade (Serbia) and Istanbul (Turkey).
Travel in the country
Railways
The rail network in Macedonia is well preserved. There are connections from Skopje to Kumanovo (north), Ovche Pole, Stip, Kotschani (east), Prilep, Bitola (south) and Kitschevo and others (west). The hub is the main train station in Skopje.
Roads
Macedonia has a road network of approximately 8,700 km, of which over 50% are paved.
Rental cars
In Macedonia you can rent rental cars from the following companies:
- AVIS
- BUDGET
- PUTNIK
- MIDA
- ORFEJ
- TUJMADA
Maximum speeds
In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed.
- Urban: in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 60 km/h
- Country roads: there is a speed limit of 80/100 km/h on country roads
- Motorways: there is a speed limit of 120 km/h on motorways
Special regulations
- Seat belts and helmet compulsory
- Motorcyclists must also drive with low beam during the day.
- A set of replacement lightbulbs must be carried and from November 15th to March 15th it is mandatory to bring snow chains.
- There are motorway tolls in Macedonia.For the passage from south to north this amounts to approx. 160 denar for cars and motorcycles and approx. 450 denar for trucks. Of course, these fees change regularly, especially since they are linked to gasoline prices.
Blood
alcohol limit In Macedonia there is a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 parts per thousand for drivers of motor vehicles. The same limit applies to motorcycle riders.
Vehicle country identification
According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Macedonia is:
| MK |
Macedonia: entry and exit regulations
Formalities, visas
In Macedonia there is no requirement for a visa for Austrian, German and Swiss citizens. All that is required is a passport that is valid for at least six months. You can only enter the country with your identity card to a limited extent. In this case a fee will be charged. As a foreigner, you have to register with the police within one day. If you are staying in a hotel, this usually takes care of the registration.
Since December 19, 2009, citizens of Macedonia have also been able to enter the EU states without a visa.
Import and export of foreign currency
- Localcurrency National currency can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.
- Foreigncurrencies Foreign currencies can be used up to an equivalent value of max. 2,000 euros are imported and exported. From 150 euros the import and export must be declared.
Import and export of goods
The following articles can be imported into Macedonia duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
- 1 liter of spirits
- 250 ml eau de toilette
- Perfume for personal use
- Gifts up to a total value of 60 MKD
Import ban on:
Drugs, narcotics, pornographic materials and objects that advertise war, violence, fascism, Nazism or racial discrimination.
Entry with pets
For the owners of dogs and other animals, when traveling abroad, the question arises whether they can even take their animals with them to the chosen travel destination, and if that is possible, then of course the question of the respective applicable conditions arises. Here with us you will find all the important information on this topic, seriously researched at the embassies or the Foreign Office:
Before pets can be imported into Macedonia, an EU pet passport must be issued on the pet. Every resident veterinarian is entitled to do this. In addition, the animal must be clearly identifiable. This can be guaranteed either by a chip or by a clearly legible tattoo. The animal must be vaccinated against rabies before entry. The rabies vaccination must have been given at least 15 days before entry and must not be more than six months ago. In addition, an official veterinary health certificate must be issued before entering Macedonia.
Animal transport with an accompanying person (owner)
In this case, proceed as follows: At the airport, the animal is locked in a transport crate previously obtained by the owner. It must be ensured that the container is large enough that the animal can stand in it and turn around, and it must also be ensured that no liquids can run out (urine). This is done using suitable absorbent material, in the simplest case using a sufficient amount of newspaper. There should also be a water bowl and, depending on the length of the flight, enough food. The transport container is handed over to the staff at the check-in counter. The transport fee depends on the weight of the animal. It is essential to ensure that there is space for the animal for the flight booked, as the number of animals that can be transported
The animal is located in the machine in an air-conditioned area between the passenger deck and the cargo area. As a rule, no member of the crew takes care of the animal during the flight, not even to give water or food. However, experience has shown that the stress of checking in and the take-off phase is so stressful for most animals that they sleep for most of the flight. The administration of sedatives prior to check-in is not only not recommended, as their effects cannot be foreseen under these conditions, but is even prohibited for reasons of security (smuggling). Many airlines also exclude a number of dogs (attack dogs) from transport.
Animal transport without an accompanying person
In this case, a specialist company must be commissioned with the transport, which then takes care of everything else. However, it should be ensured that the animal is picked up at the arrival airport by someone who is familiar to the dog. And of course all import regulations for pets for the country have to be explored beforehand and strictly adhered to.
Note
It has proven to be very helpful if you have accustomed the animal to such a transport container at home a few weeks before the intended flight.
Macedonia: Travel Medicine and Warnings
Infectious Diseases
The following infectious diseases are to be expected in Macedonia:
- Amoebic dysentery
- Bacterial agitation
- Schistosomiasis, as a result of tick bites
- Cholera, an infection risk only exists for travelers who can come into contact with contaminated water or contaminated food.
- Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation, as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria
- Early summer meningo encephalitis, mainly as a result of tick bites
- Hepatitis A and B, an infection with hepatitis B, is only to be expected in people who can come into contact with blood or in those who seek sexual contact.
- Polio, polio
- rabies
- Typhoid fever, an infection risk only exists for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Recommended vaccinations
when traveling to Macedonia, the following vaccinations recommended:
- Cholera, but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
- Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country.
- Hepatitis A and B, a vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or for those who seek sexual contact.
- Polio, polio, a vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
- Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country.
- Rabies, but only in high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals
- Typhoid, but only in travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination regulations when entering or staying in the country.
Hazards and current warning notices
Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
Citizens’ Service
Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000
Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000
Current warning
notices : www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Macedonia: currency, shopping and exchange rate
The national currency of Macedonia is the Macedonian Denar (MKD). 1 MKD = 100 deni.
The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:
- 10
- 50
- 100
- 500
- 1,000
- 5,000 MKD
Conversion rate
You can find a currency converter here: www3.forium.de
Bank opening hours
Monday to Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Shop
Shop opening times
- Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs
Macedonia is famous for its embroidery, wood carvings and pottery.
Macedonia: Embassies and Consulates
Visit Countryaah for a full list of Macedonia embassies and consulates in each country around the world.
Representations of Macedonia in Germany
German representations in Macedonia
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Dimitrija Tschupovski 26
1000 Skopje
Tel: 00389 – 2 – 11 77 99
Fax: 00389 – 2 – 11 77 13
Austrian representations in Macedonia
Embassy
Vasil Stefanovski 7
1000 Skopje
Tel: 00389- (0) 2-1095
Fax: 00389- (0) 2-130237
Email: austramb@unet.com.mk
Honorary Consulate
Bulevar Sv. Kliement Ohridski
1000 Skopje
Tel: 00389- (0) 2-3126200
Fax: 00389- (0) 2-3214508
Representations of Macedonia in Austria
Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia
Maderstraße 1/10
1040 Vienna
Tel: 0043- (0) 1- 524 87 56
Fax: 0043- (0) 1- 524 87 53
Email: macembassy@24on.cc
Consular section of the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia
Maderstraße 1/10
1040 Vienna
Tel: 0043- (0) 1- 524 87 56
Fax: 0043- (0) 1- 524 87 53
Swiss representations in Macedonia
Swiss Embassy in Macedonia
Maksim Gorki 19
1000 Skopje
Tel: 00389- (0) 2-128 300
Fax: 00389- (0) 2-116 205
Email: vertretung@sko.rep.admin.ch
Representations of Macedonia in Switzerland
Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia
Kirchenfeldstrasse 30
3005 Bern
Tel: 0041- (0) 31-352 00 02
Fax: 0041- (0) 31-352 00 57
Email:
ambmaced@datacomm.ce
Consulate General of the Republic of Macedonia
Chemin Ami-Argand 68
1200 Geneva
Tel: 0041- (0) 22-7552168
Fax: 0041- (0) 22-7551496
