North Macedonia: Latest Country in Europe to Remove Entry Requirements

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Last Updated 2 years ago

North Macedonia Removes All COVID-19 Entry Requirements 

North Macedonia has become the 33rd country worldwide to abolish all entry requirements. The nation is a popular destination for backpackers visiting the Balkan region. 

North Macedonia’s New Entry Requirements 

North Macedonia has removed all COVID-19 restrictions. As a result, all travelers—regardless of their vaccination status—can enter North Macedonia without:

• Testing on/before arrival 
• Mandatory quarantine 
• Showing proof of vaccination 
• Passenger locator forms 

Before yesterday's announcement, vaccinated travelers had to produce a proof of vaccination certificate to avoid entry restrictions.

Unvaccinated travelers, however, had to produce a certificate of recovery from the last 180 days, a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before entry, or a negative rapid antigen test taken 48 hours before entry. 

North Macedonia will join the following destinations in removing all COVID-19 restrictions:

• Mexico 
• El Salvador 
• Norway 
• Slovenia 
• Iceland 
• Bahrain 
• Jordan 
• Ireland
• Hungary 
• Romania 
• Saudi Arabia 
• Montenegro 
• Curaçao
• England 
• Maldives 
• Aruba 
• Mongolia
• Moldova 
• Gabon 
• Yemen 
• Costa Rica 
• Sweden 
• Poland 
• Denmark 
• Grenada 
• Latvia 
• Argentina
• Slovakia 
• Czech Republic 
• Greece 
• Bonaire 
• Jamaica 

North Macedonia’s Internal Restrictions 

Although many nations are now abolishing all entry requirements, some countries still have internal restrictions—such as masks, social distancing, etc. 

Currently, North Macedonia requires face masks when visiting indoor spaces, such as post offices, markets, health institutions, banks, shops, and public transport. However, wearing masks in outdoor spaces is no longer mandatory. 

There are no current restrictions on opening hours, public transport, and travel throughout the nation. Commercial flights have resumed without restrictions. 

However, most importantly, foreign consulate pages for North Macedonia still show that the country still requires proof of vaccination to enter some indoor venues—such as restaurants and hotels—which is an issue for unvaccinated tourists looking to visit North Macedonia. It is unknown if this internal vaccine passport rule intends to change to harmonize with the new relaxed border rules, but with the limited information we have, it still appears to be in place at this time.

The Current COVID-19 Situation In North Macedonia 

North Macedonia has witnessed 4 large COVID-19 peaks since March 2020—with the largest peak in January 2022. The current 7-day case average is 104; this is a significant decrease from previous peaks.

North Macedonia has fully vaccinated 40.1% of its entire population, which is one of the lowest vaccination rates in Europe. 

The Best Things To Do In North Macedonia 

Most travelers don’t think of North Macedonia when they think of a European vacation; that said, like many smaller European nations, there are plenty of interesting things to do and see in the country. 

Here are some of the top attractions:

Hike To The Peak Of Mount Ljuboten

Nature lovers will adore hiking to the top of Mount Ljuboten. The mountain stands at 8,196 feet above sea level. As a result, it offers spellbinding views of North Macedonia and its neighboring nations on a clear day.

Many European hiking trails suffer from over-tourism. Fortunately, this isn’t the case at Mount Ljuboten because there are few tourists here.

Walk Around The History Of Skopje 

Skopje offers an eclectic mixture of old and new. Kale Fortress—which surrounds the city—has guarded the city since the sixth century AD; it’s an incredible part of European history. 

Moreover, a huge statue of Alexander The Great has stood tall in Macedonia Square since 2011, making it one of the nation’s main attractions. If you want to observe the city’s history from above, take the cable car to Millennium Cross, which stands at an impressive 217 feet on the Vondo Mountain. 

Kayak Through Matka Canyon 

North Macedonia isn’t short of excellent nature. Matka Canyon is stunning and you can kayak around it. The canyon is only 10 miles from downtown Skopje, so you can find various day tours or take a taxi there yourself. You can hire a kayak beside the canyon at affordable prices.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

US Mask Mandate Overturned By Federal Judge

US State Department Issues 30 New Travel Advisory Updates

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