Living in Macedonia guide for expats

Macedonia covers the area of 25,713 square kilometres and has the population of just over two million people. The country's capital is the city of Skopje, home to Macedonia's significant cultural and historical landmarks. Other big cities are the famous lakeside resort of Ohrid (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bitola (the second largest city), the museum city of Kruševo, and Kumanovo (the third largest city). Macedonians represent the biggest population group, but other ethnic groups are the Albanian, Serbian, and Turks. The country's official language is Macedonian, but other languages are spoken as well such as Albanian, Turkish, Romani, and Serbian.

Macedonia's economy is closely linked to Europe for exports, imports, and source of investment. The country's economy suffered after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 and later in connection with the slowdown in the Eurozone. However, it is currently experiencing significant growth.

Popular attractions in Macedonia include the Mavrovo National Park perfect for hiking in summer and skiing in the winter; Mount Korab and its waterfall, Mavrovo Lake, and numerous archaeological and historical museums.

Macedonia has a similar visa policy to that of the Schengen Area. Citizens of most countries can travel to Macedonia visa-free and stay for up to 90 days. Residents of certain countries will need approval from the Ministry of Interior before travelling to the country and will have to apply for a visa in advance.