Macedonia travel advice

Travel Summary

• There are confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) – virus (Swine Flu) in Macedonia (source: WHO). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at www.who.int/disease/swineflu/en/index/html has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• Mumps epidemic spreads in Macedonia. A total of 5,913 persons infected with mumps were registered by the end of 2008, which is the biggest number of registered cases in the past 25 years. See the Health section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• You should exercise caution if you intend to travel to the northern and western border regions of Macedonia. Please see the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from international terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Sporadic acts of violence do still occur in Macedonia, particularly in the north, but also including Skopje. Please see the Local Travel and Political Situation sections of this advice for more details.
  
  
• Most visits to Macedonia are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Macedonia in 2007 was as a result of an arrest or detention.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Macedonia. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is an underlying threat from international terrorism. Attacks, although unlikely, could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

Personal attacks against foreigners are extremely rare. Organised criminal groups are active. Shooting incidents, including in Skopje do occur sporadically, but are not targeted at foreigners. Serious crime is rare and people unconnected with these groups have not been specifically targeted, however, there is obviously a risk of accidental injury from such incidents as some people carry firearms. Gunfire can also be a part of celebration. There is always, however, the possibility of foreigners being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You should therefore be vigilant at all times.

There have been several cases of foreigners being pick pocketed by gangs of children and bag snatchers in the main shopping and entertainment areas late at night. Foreign nationals appear to have been specifically targeted. You should ensure that your personal possessions are secure.

Credit card fraud is widespread and caution should be exercised when making a purchase using this method. The number of ATMs in Macedonia is increasing, making the withdrawal of local currency much easier.

There has been no repetition in Skopje or elsewhere in Macedonia of the public demonstrations that took place against elements of the International Community during the 2001 crisis. However, acts of intimidation and harassment against nationals of western countries have been reported.

In the event of civil disorder, we advise British nationals to stay at home and restrict their movements as much as possible, especially after dark. Avoid crowds and demonstrations generally. Keep a low profile, vary times and routes of travel and ensure that travel documents are current. Remain aware of your surroundings at all times.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Macedonia Country Profile

Following the serious inter-ethnic fighting in 2001, the situation in Macedonia has largely stabilised, with Presidential and Municipal elections in March and April 2009 passing off peacefully.

Local Travel

Visitors to north west Macedonia should exercise particular caution as armed groups are known to operate there, and there are sometimes sporadic incidents of violence. While there is no evidence of foreigners being deliberately targeted, visitors to this region may find themselves the victims of local bandits or caught up in acts of violence.

You should exercise caution when travelling in regions near the Kosovo borders. Travel should be restricted to primary roads and daylight hours only. A high level of vigilance should be maintained. Particular care should be taken due to the continuing threat from land mines and unexploded ordnance.

You should exercise caution when travelling to the area bordering Serbia. Apart from designated border crossings, the immediate border area is a military restricted zone. Permission must be obtained from the nearest Macedonian police station before travelling to this zone.

Load Carrying Vehicles transiting Macedonia borders may be subject to long delays before being permitted to cross. You should ensure that you have the proper customs documentation prior to arrival at any of the Macedonian border crossings.

Road Travel

You can drive in Macedonia with either a UK or International Driving Licence.

All vehicles must use side lights/ dipped headlights during the day.

It is illegal to use mobile phones whilst driving.

You should also be aware that the legal drink limit for driving in Macedonia is lower than in the UK.

Traffic in Macedonia is unpredictable and driving standards vary widely. You are advised to exercise caution at all times whilst driving.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Local laws and customs

Macedonia has brought in new laws requiring all vehicles to use side lights/ dipped headlights during the day.

It is illegal to use mobile phones whilst driving.

Please note that taking photographs of any military installation, establishment or site of government or strategic importance is prohibited. Do not take photographs or make notes near military or official installations. You are likely to have your film confiscated, be detained for questioning and possibly arrested if you do not observe this rule.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

There is currently no requirement for holders of British passports to obtain visas for travel to Macedonia for up to 3 months. Holders of UK Refugee Travel Documents travelling to Macedonia or transiting the country en-route to Kosovo, must obtain visas for travel to, or transit through, Macedonia from the Macedonian Embassy in London.

Any longer duration than 3 months requires visitors to regulate their stay with the appropriate Macedonian authorities.

Travel to Serbia from Kosovo

UNMIK exit/entry stamps were replaced by Republic of Kosovo stamps on 27 June 2008.

We are aware of incidents where foreign nationals, including those from the United Kingdom, are being denied entry into the Republic of Serbia from Macedonia if they hold these new border entry or exit stamps from Kosovo. We have requested clarification from the Serbian authorities over their immigration requriements. In the meantime we advise that persons travelling to Serbia who have new Kosovan stamps in their passports revise their travel plans and consider alternative arrangements until further notice.

Passport validity

There is no minimum passport validity requirement but you should ensure that your passport is valid for the proposed period of your stay.

Registering with the Police

It is essential that you register with the local police in the town/city where you are staying within 24 hours of your arrival in Macedonia, unless you are staying in a hotel where you will be registered automatically on checking-in. If you do not register you may be fined, detained or face a court appearance. You are also advised to register with LOCATE online.

Dual nationality

There have been some incidents in which Macedonian nationals who also hold dual nationality in another country, have been detained on the grounds that they have avoided military service in either the Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM) or in the former Yugoslav National Army (JNA). Dual British/Macedonian nationals visiting the country are advised to carry documents showing that they have completed their military service in either the ARM or JNA if applicable.

The final intake of conscripts into the Macedonian Army was in April 2006. Since then military service in Macedonia has been abolished. However dual nationals who have not completed military service in either the ARM or JNA are advised to check with their nearest Macedonian Embassy regarding their liability for this. You are advised to check with the nearest Macedonian Embassy for up to date information on visa requirements before you travel.

Travelling with children

Single parent or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the London Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia.

Health

There are confirmed human cases of A (H1N1) – virus (Swine Flu) in Macedonia. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. Information about Swine Flu is available from the World Health Organisation at http://www.who.int/disease/swineflu/en/index.html. You should monitor local media reports for any further developments and advice. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm.

Passengers arriving at airports and border crossings in Macedonia are being health checked through questionnaires and within the next fortnight thermal imaging cameras are expected to be put in place at airports and border crossings. Passengers are given an information leaflet (in Macedonian/Albanian and English), which requests that frequent contact with doctors at the Hospital for Infectious Diseases is carried out for 10 days following their arrival. This may be by phone or in person. Doctors will ask about symptoms observed through self-monitoring.

Those who are found to be unwell will be taken by ambulance to the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in central Skopje for further investigation.

Longer term visitors to Macedonia, or residents who feel unwell, are advised to stay isolated at home and to telephone a helpline number 02 3112 499 from an international phone, where their call will be answered by an English/Macedonian/Albanian speaking doctor for further advice. Anti-viral medication will be available on the same basis as for Macedonian nationals.

The UK and Macedonia have a reciprocal agreement for emergency care only. However, you would still need to pay some of the initial costs (usually between 50 and 100 euros). If the treatment is not deemed an emergency then you would be unable to claim anything back from the Macedonian authorities and you would be expected to pay the full cost of treatment. In order to receive treatment under the reciprocal arrangement you would need to show your British passport.

Since the beginning of 2009, 1,085 persons infected with the mumps virus have been registered in Macedonia. Most of them are registered in Skopje - 288, in Kavadarci - 160 and in Prilep - 137, the Institute for Health Protection (RZZZ) informs. A total of 5,913 persons infected with mumps were registered by the end of 2008, which is the biggest number of registered cases in the past 25 years.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that less than 1,000 adults aged 15 or over in Macedonia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at less than 0.1% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Macedonia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Natural disasters

Macedonia is in a seismically active zone. An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale occurred near the town of Valandovo in southern Macedonia near the Greek border on 24th May 2009. Smaller tremors occur periodically. Serious earthquakes are extremely rare, the last such occurrence being in 1963.

General

Insurance

You are strongly recommended to obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Macedonia. Medical insurance is recommended as you may need to meet the full costs of treatment (see Health section) or if you are treated at a private hospital, as many public hospitals are poorly equipped. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registering with the British Embassy

Whether travelling to or resident in Macedonia you are advised to register with, with our on-line registration system called LOCATE to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in a crisis. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Passports

You should carry your passport at all times. We therefore advise that you keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place. This will help you to obtain a replacement, in case your passport is lost or stolen.

The loss or theft of a British passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the British Embassy in Skopje, or Honorary Consul in Bitola, as appropriate. The Honorary Consul in Bitola cannot issue new passports but can assist with the arrangements to apply for a new passport via Skopje.

For further information on passports, please visit the Identity and Passport Service website.

If your passport is lost or stolen the British Embassy in Skopje can issue you an Emergency Passport only. Applications for new standard passports are accepted at the British Passport Processing Centre in Northern Europe, at the British Consulate-General in Dusseldorf. For full details on applying please visit website www.ukingermany.fco.gov.uk.

Money

The official currency of Macedonia is the Denar. Credit cards are now accepted in many of the larger hotels and shops, and ATMs increasingly also accept international bank cards.

Please be aware that British banks do not exchange Denars. You are advised to exchange any unwanted Denars before you leave Macedonia. You should only change money through banks or official exchange offices and not through street dealers. The British Embassy in Skopje cannot exchange currency. You will be unable to exchange Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes in Macedonia.

You must declare all foreign currency on arrival. Failure to do so may result in detention and forfeiture of funds when attempting to leave Macedonia.

Credit card fraud is widespread and caution should be exercised when making a purchase using this method.

ATMs are widely available in Skopje, less so in other main towns.