US and UK citizens can both enter North Macedonia visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period — a simpler, more evenly matched rule than neighboring Albania, where the two nationalities get very different allowances. North Macedonia sits outside the Schengen Area, so this 90 days is separate from (and doesn’t eat into) any Schengen time you might use elsewhere on the same trip.
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Visa rules
Both US and UK citizens can stay visa-free for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period — no advance visa or e-visa application needed for tourism. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned exit date, a stricter requirement than Albania’s 3-month rule, so double-check this before you travel.
Currency
North Macedonia’s currency is the Macedonian denar (MKD). Euros are sometimes accepted informally in tourist areas, but you’ll get better value using denars, and ATMs are widely available in Skopje and Ohrid. Cards work in most urban businesses; carry cash for local buses, small guesthouses, and rural areas.
Getting around
Skopje, the capital, is the main air and rail hub. Buses connect Skopje to Ohrid in about 3 hours 20 minutes (950-980 MKD one-way, roughly 9 direct coaches daily), and Skopje to Pristina, Kosovo in under 2 hours — genuinely convenient for a Western Balkans multi-country trip. See our Skopje guide and Ohrid guide for city-level detail.
FAQ
Do US and UK citizens need a visa for North Macedonia?
No — both get 90 days visa-free within any 180-day period, an equal allowance unlike Albania’s split rule.
What currency should I use?
The Macedonian denar (MKD). Euros are sometimes accepted in tourist spots, but denars get better value.
Is North Macedonia in the Schengen Area?
No — it’s a separate visa regime, so time spent here doesn’t count against any Schengen allowance.
Photo: Julian Nyça, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons