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As EU citizen I can enter North Macedonia and stay for 90 days in 180 days.

What I am not sure about is whether the 90-day period would reset after 6 months (e.g. entering on 28th of January and resetting on the 28th of July), or one should be aware not spending more than 90 days in the country in the last 180 days.

For example, is the following scenario is possible? Entering on the 28th of January and leaving on the 29th of January. And then spending 170 days in a row from May to September?

I found 90/180 day rule calculator for Schengen – would the same work for me calculating my stay in North Macedonia?

I could not find anything relevant on the actual regulations how the days would reset.

Johnnyjanko
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Ionică Bizău
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3 Answers3

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I found 90/180 day rule calculator for Schengen – would the same work for me calculating my stay in Macedonia?

Yes, based on the wording of the Law on Foreigners of 2018-05-28 ('a duration no longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, preceding each day of the stay').

This law also references the relevant EU Regulations/Directives, so it would seem that it is strongly moduled on these rules in expectation of a future membership.

How this is the enforced when someone enters with an ID card, would be a good question.

LAW ON FOREIGNERS (2018-05-28)

Article 2 (Definitions of terms)
...

  • 9) “Short-term stay” shall mean the stay of a foreigner holding or not holding a visa, for a duration no longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, preceding each day of the stay, unless stated otherwise in this Law or in a ratified international agreement.

...
Article 11 (Entry Requirements)

(1) A foreigner intending to stay in the Republic of North Macedonia in a duration of no longer than 90 days in any 180–day period, preceding each day of stay, may enter the Republic of North Macedonia, ...
Article 67 (Definition of Short Stay)

  • (1) Short stay in terms of this Law shall be defined as a stay of a foreigner holding or not holding a visa, unless otherwise laid down in this Law or by a ratified international agreement.
  • (2) A foreigner fulfilling the requirements for entry referred to in Article 11 of this Law, shall temporarily stay in the Republic of North Macedonia up to a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period preceding each day of stay in the Republic of North Macedonia.
  • (3) Upon defining the duration of the short stay referred to in paragraph (2) of this Article, the duration of the previously granted temporary or permanent residence on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia shall not be taken into account.
  • (4) The foreigner referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article having a short stay without holding a visa may stay in the Republic of North Macedonia for the same purposes valid for foreigners who must hold a visa.

Sources:

Mark Johnson
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While I can’t find the official reference, it looks like they apply the exact same “90 days out of 180” rule as the Schengen Area, which is a sliding window: on any day you are in North Macedonia, you should not have been present more than 90 days in the 180 previous days (present day included).

This means you can use any Schengen calculator to check your dates.

Quite obviously, you can never stay more than 90 days in a row (and can only stay 90 days if you were not in the country on any of the previous 90 days). The counter does not reset, it’s updated every day with the number of days of presence in the last 180 days.

If you want to stay longer you would need a visa or permit that allows for this.

Also, remember that on a visa-free entry or with a visitor visa you are not allowed to work in the country.

jcaron
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For example, is the following scenario is possible? Entering on the 28th of January and leaving on the 29th of January. And then spending 170 days in a row from May to September?

Not possible without some visa allowing it, such as a Long-Stay Visa ‘D’ visa. Source: https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/visa-passport-information-results/?widgetheader=visa&nationality=fr&destination=mk:

Nationals of France do not need a visa for a maximum of 90 days in a period of 180 days

Franck Dernoncourt
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