North Macedonia

Last Updated: 2026-03-31

Official Portal: Ministry of Interior — Citizenship

Embassy Finder: North Macedonian Diplomatic Missions

Quick Facts

Category	Details
Residency for naturalization	8 years lawful and continuous residence
Language requirement	Knowledge of Macedonian language (assessed during application)
Civics test	No formal written test; knowledge of Macedonian society may be assessed
Processing time	6—12 months
Naturalization fee	MKD 5,000—10,000 (approximately EUR 80—160)
Dual citizenship	Fully permitted since 2004 amendments
Citizenship by birth in North Macedonia	Limited jus soli — child born to stateless or unknown parents
Citizenship by descent	Automatic for children of Macedonian citizens (jus sanguinis)
Governing law	Zakon za drzavjanstvo na Republika Severna Makedonija — Law on Citizenship of the Republic of North Macedonia (1992, amended 2004, 2019)

Dual Citizenship

North Macedonia fully permits dual citizenship since the 2004 amendments to the Law on Citizenship. This was a significant shift from the earlier framework that required renunciation of prior nationality upon naturalization.

Key provisions:

Macedonian citizens may acquire a foreign nationality without losing their Macedonian citizenship. No prior permission or notification is required.
Foreign nationals naturalizing in North Macedonia are not required to renounce their existing citizenship.
North Macedonia has bilateral dual citizenship agreements with several countries, including Montenegro and Serbia, which predate the 2004 liberalization but remain in force.
Children born to one Macedonian and one foreign parent may hold both citizenships from birth.

Practical note: The permissive dual citizenship regime has been particularly important for the large Macedonian diaspora, especially in Australia, Canada, the United States, and Western Europe, allowing them to maintain ties to North Macedonia without sacrificing their host-country citizenship.

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth

North Macedonia applies jus sanguinis as the primary principle. Jus soli is highly limited:

A child born on Macedonian territory acquires citizenship only if both parents are unknown, stateless, or of undetermined nationality.
A child born in North Macedonia to foreign parents does not acquire Macedonian citizenship by birth alone.

By Descent

A child acquires Macedonian citizenship at birth if:

Both parents are Macedonian citizens, regardless of where the child is born.
One parent is a Macedonian citizen and the child is born in North Macedonia.
One parent is a Macedonian citizen and the child is born abroad — the child acquires citizenship if registered with a Macedonian diplomatic mission by age 18, or if the child would otherwise be stateless.

Children born abroad to one Macedonian parent who were not registered may submit a declaration of Macedonian citizenship up to age 23.

By Adoption

A child under 18 adopted by a Macedonian citizen acquires Macedonian citizenship upon the finalization of the adoption under Macedonian law. Both full and simple adoptions transfer citizenship. Adults adopted by Macedonian citizens do not acquire citizenship automatically.

By Marriage

Marriage to a Macedonian citizen does not confer automatic citizenship. The foreign spouse may apply for facilitated naturalization:

Must have been married for at least 3 years
Must have been lawfully resident in North Macedonia for at least 3 years (reduced from the standard 8)
Must meet all other naturalization conditions

By Naturalization

Requirement	Details
Lawful continuous residence	8 years
Age	18 years or older
Language	Knowledge of Macedonian language
No criminal record	No conviction for a criminal offense carrying a sentence of one year or more of imprisonment
Financial self-sufficiency	Permanent and stable source of income or means of support
Renunciation of prior citizenship	Not required (since 2004)
Good conduct	Must not pose a threat to the security, defense, or constitutional order of North Macedonia
Fee	MKD 5,000—10,000

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary renunciation: A Macedonian citizen may renounce citizenship by submitting a written request to the Ministry of Interior. Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years old
Must hold or have a guarantee of another nationality (will not become stateless)
Must have no outstanding tax obligations or pending criminal proceedings in North Macedonia

Involuntary loss:

Ground	Details
Fraud	Citizenship obtained through false statements, forged documents, or concealment of facts may be revoked within 15 years of acquisition
Service in a foreign military or government	Without authorization, if incompatible with Macedonian interests
Voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship (pre-2004 cases)	This ground was effectively eliminated by the 2004 amendments for going forward, but some pre-2004 losses may still apply

Restoration of Nationality

Former Macedonian citizens who renounced or lost citizenship may apply for restoration. The process is treated as a form of facilitated naturalization:

The standard 8-year residency requirement may be waived or reduced.
Applicants must demonstrate a genuine connection to North Macedonia.
Must not pose a security risk and must have a clean criminal record.
Former citizens of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia within Yugoslavia who did not register as citizens after independence (November 1991) may have special restoration options.

Persons of Macedonian descent living abroad who never held Macedonian citizenship may apply for citizenship through a simplified procedure under the Law on Citizenship, provided they can document their ethnic Macedonian heritage.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

North Macedonia is a party to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

A child born on Macedonian territory who would otherwise be stateless acquires Macedonian citizenship at birth.
A foundling discovered in North Macedonia is presumed to be a citizen until proven otherwise.
Stateless persons lawfully resident in North Macedonia may apply for naturalization under facilitated conditions, including a reduced residency period.

Document Checklist

Completed citizenship application form

Valid passport or travel document (with certified copy)

Birth certificate (apostilled and translated into Macedonian by a certified translator)

Marriage certificate (if applying via spousal pathway, apostilled and translated)

Proof of lawful continuous residence in North Macedonia

Criminal background check from country of origin and from North Macedonia

Proof of financial self-sufficiency (employment verification, tax returns, or bank statements)

Evidence of language proficiency (assessed during interview or via documentation)

Two biometric passport photos

Proof of current or guaranteed foreign citizenship (if renouncing Macedonian citizenship)

Payment receipt for administrative fees

Sources

Zakon za drzavjanstvo na Republika Severna Makedonija — Law on Citizenship of the Republic of North Macedonia (Official Gazette No. 67/1992, amendments 2004, 2019). https://mvr.gov.mk/
Ministry of Interior of North Macedonia — Citizenship application procedures. https://mvr.gov.mk/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Consular services and diplomatic missions. https://www.mfa.gov.mk/
UNHCR — Refworld — North Macedonia nationality law compilations. https://www.refworld.org/
Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT) — North Macedonia country profile. https://globalcit.eu/
European Commission — North Macedonia Country Profile — EU accession candidate legal harmonization. https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/north-macedonia_en

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