Contents
Summary
Entry and exit requirements
Safety and security
Local travel
Laws that apply to you
Health issues
Where to get help
Additional information
Summary
- We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions.
- In 2010 and 2011, the US Government warned its citizens of the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe, including on public transport and tourist infrastructure. A number of terrorist attacks on passenger railway systems, aviation interests, including passenger terminals, and other places frequented by travellers have occurred in Europe. In recent years these types of attacks have occurred in Moscow, London, Madrid and Glasgow. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services recently, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorists in attacking such locations.
- Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- You should avoid large crowds, political rallies and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the region bordering Kosovo, including adjacent areas of southern Serbia, because of the possibility of civil unrest and inter-ethnic violence.
- Australia has a Consulate in Skopje headed by an Honorary Consul which provides limited consular assistance. The Australian Embassy in Serbia provides full consular assistance to Australians in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia or visit the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the most up to date information.
Australians do not require a visa to enter the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
You are required to declare all foreign currency exceeding 10,000 Euros on arrival in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, this declaration must be presented on departure. Failure to do so may result in detention and forfeiture of undeclared funds.
Foreigners in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are required to register their place of residence within 24 hours of arrival. Registration is completed as part of check-in at hotels. Foreigners staying in a private home are required to register at the nearest police station within 24 hours of arrival. Failure to do so can result in fines and delays in departure.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
In 2010 and 2011, the US Government warned its citizens of the potential for terrorist attacks in Europe, including on public transport and tourist infrastructure. A number of terrorist attacks on passenger railway systems, aviation interests, including passenger terminals, and other places frequented by travellers have occurred in Europe. In recent years these types of attacks have occurred in Moscow, London, Madrid and Glasgow. In addition, a number of planned attacks have been disrupted by European security services recently, underscoring the continuing interest of terrorists in attacking such locations.
Civil unrest/political tension
We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
You should avoid large crowds, political rallies and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
The security situation has improved in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia since the inter-ethnic violence in 2001, however occasional acts of inter-ethnic violence could occur.
Region bordering Kosovo: We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the region bordering Kosovo, including adjacent areas of southern Serbia, because of the possibility of civil unrest and inter-ethnic violence.
Since its declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, the security situation in Kosovo, including areas bordering the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, has remained volatile. The border between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo can be closed to all traffic at short notice.
The immediate border areas beyond designated crossing points are restricted zones. Landmines and unexploded ordnance are present in the mountainous areas bordering Kosovo. Photographs should not be taken at border crossings or in the vicinity of military zones.
Tensions also exist between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's ethnic Macedonian and ethnic Albanian communities in the region. Isolated incidents of inter-ethnic violence could occur.
Crime
Crime rates are low. However, petty crime such as pick-pocketing and bag snatching occurs in large cities and at airports.
Credit card fraud is widespread in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. You should keep your card in sight when making purchases.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas.
The official currency of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is the Denar. The economy is cash-based, however credit cards are accepted in major hotels and large shops. There is an increasing number of ATMs that accept international bank cards.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
Driving on rural roads may be dangerous because of poorly maintained roads and slow moving farm equipment. Roads may be shared with pedestrians and farm animals in rural areas. Drivers must have their vehicle headlights or parking lights turned on, even during day light hours. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Unless you are travelling on the main highway, you must obtain permission from the nearest Macedonian police station before travelling to the area bordering Serbia. Except for designated border crossings, the immediate border area is a military restricted zone.
The local emergency phone numbers in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are 192 for police, 194 for ambulance and 196 for roadside assistance.
Airline safety
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Laws
When you are in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Penalties for drug offences are severe and include heavy fines and lengthy imprisonment.
Photography of military and police personnel, establishments, vehicles and equipment is prohibited.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money, laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals
Conscription into military service was abolished in April 2006. However, dual national Australian/former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia males who have not completed military service in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM) or in the former Yugoslav National Army (JNA) are advised to check with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia before they travel. If you have completed your military service you should carry your discharge documents with you.
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Health
On 10 August 2010, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced it had moved to a post-pandemic period in response to pandemic (H1N1) 2009. The virus is expected to remain as a seasonal influenza virus and local outbreaks may occur. For more information see the WHO website.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while travelling overseas.
The standard of medical facilities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is limited. Foreigners will be required to pay an up-front deposit for medical services. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Costs for a medical evacuation could cost upwards of $A100,000.
Travel in forested areas in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne encephalitis. Ticks are very common in country areas and are active from spring to autumn.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including hepatitis, measles, and brucellosis) are prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. We recommend that you avoid raw and undercooked food, and avoid unpasteurised dairy products. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
In rural areas it is recommended that all drinking water be boiled or that you drink bottled water.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Where to get help
Australia has a Consulate in Skopje headed by an Honorary Consul. The Consulate provides limited consular assistance which does not include the issue of Australian passports. You can obtain full consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Serbia.
Australian Embassy
Vladimira Popovica 38-40
11070 Belgrade, Serbia
Telephone: (381 11) 330 3400
Facsimile: (381 11) 330 3409
Website: www.serbia.embassy.gov.au
Email (general enquiries): Belgrade.embassy@dfat.gov.au
Email (visa enquiries): diac-belgrade@dfat.gov.au
Contact details for the Consulate are:
Australian Honorary Consulate, Skopje
Motiva, Londonska 11 B
Skopje
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Telephone: (389 2) 306 1114
Facsimile: (389 2) 306 1114
If you are travelling to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency-whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is in an active seismic zone and is subject to earthquakes.
Information on natural disasters, including earthquakes, can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
Bush and forest fires may occur during summer months (usually June to September). You should monitor local media reports for updated information.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.