Studying in North Macedonia: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not on the European Commission’s list for North Macedonia. A social security agreement with Germany from 2003 covers health insurance benefits, but in many cases requires the consent of the health insurance body. For tourist stays of up to 90 days no visa is needed. For a study stay the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje requires a visa before entry and a residence permit after arrival. As an Erasmus+ student you pay no tuition fees at the host university. The university lists around 275 to 310 euros per month for a place in its residence hall.
Study abroad in North Macedonia at a glance
| Point | Information (as of October 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | The EHIC is not listed for North Macedonia. The agreement of 2003 covers health insurance with benefits in kind, with conditions | European Commission, DVKA |
| Visa | No visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. For study: visa before entry, residence permit after arrival | Federal Foreign Office, University of Skopje |
| Tuition fees | Erasmus+ students are exempt from fees for studies, enrolment and examinations. The university names no fees for exchange students | European Commission, University of Skopje |
| Living costs | Residence hall around 275 to 310 euros, private studio 80 to 120 euros, larger flat 130 to 200 euros, utilities 50 to 150 euros (study year 2024/25) | University of Skopje |
| Auslands-BAföG (German study grant abroad) | Possible under the prior-year rule. Responsible office according to the DSW allocation: Studierendenwerk Marburg | German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW), flyer as of January 2026 |
All information is general guidance and not individual advice. The linked official pages are binding.
How are you insured in North Macedonia?
European Health Insurance Card and social security agreement
The European Commission does not list North Macedonia among the countries where the EHIC applies. The card therefore does not replace your own insurance.
The agreement between Germany and the Macedonian government of 8 July 2003 covers German health insurance as far as cash and benefit-in-kind benefits are concerned. Under Article 16 the protection for a temporary stay applies only when benefits in kind are needed immediately, and for a transfer only with the consent of the competent body. The German Liaison Agency for Health Insurance Abroad (DVKA) refers to this agreement. Clarify with your health insurer before departure what you would actually receive. Background on choosing cover is in the guide Study Abroad in Turkey.
Private travel health insurance and repatriation
The Federal Foreign Office writes that medical care outside the capital Skopje is often problematic. In Skopje care is good in many areas but does not always match German standards. Clinics sometimes require payment before discharge. The page recommends travel health and repatriation insurance for the whole stay and advises checking with your health insurer whether an air ambulance flight to Germany is covered.
The university advises foreign students to take out general insurance before departure and asks for an annual health insurance from your home country with the application. Before departure, statutory insured persons should clarify whether their health insurer issues form A/T 11. Keep all receipts so that reimbursement can be checked. We have not documented a reimbursement rate for North Macedonia.
Do you need a visa for North Macedonia?
The Federal Foreign Office names no visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Your travel document must still be valid for at least six months on arrival. The page gives no information on stays over 90 days, on studying or on gainful employment.
For studying at the University of Skopje, the university sets different rules. A visa is required before entry, and the documents are submitted at the nearest embassy or consulate. The application is an accompanying document to the long-term visa (visa D). After arrival in Skopje you apply for a residence permit with the local office of the Interior Ministry. According to the university, your passport must be valid for at least three months longer than your planned stay. Check the requirements with the embassy before departure, because the university does not provide the official text.
- Passport valid for at least six months on arrival (Federal Foreign Office)
- Visa before entry for studying, documents at the embassy (University of Skopje)
- Residence permit after arrival, registration with the police within 24 hours, or 48 hours in private accommodation
The Federal Foreign Office has no travel warning for North Macedonia, neither for the whole country nor for individual regions. It describes the situation across the country as calm overall, with occasional demonstrations in Skopje and sometimes in other cities (page status 25 October 2026, unchanged since 15 October 2026).
What does a study abroad semester in North Macedonia cost?
Tuition fees
As an Erasmus+ student you are exempt from fees for studies, enrolment and examinations at the host university, according to the European Commission. Small charges, for example for insurance or the student representation, may apply. The University of Skopje names no fees for exchange students on its page. Its brochure lists fees for degree programmes in the study year 2024/25, for example 2,000 euros for a bachelor’s degree in political science. We therefore state no amount for exchange students without an Erasmus+ agreement.
Living costs
The University of Skopje lists around 275 to 310 euros per person and month for a residence hall place. It does not guarantee a place. According to the brochure, private studios cost 80 to 120 euros a month and larger flats 130 to 200 euros, plus utilities of 50 to 150 euros. The brochure also gives 7 to 15 euros per bed and night in hostels and a one-off fee of 750 denars for information, culture and sports activities at registration. The university gives no monthly total. One euro equals about 61.75 denars according to the university page.
Funding: Erasmus+ and Auslands-BAföG
According to the Erasmus+ list of participating countries of the European Commission, North Macedonia is an associated third country. Your host university sets the monthly grant. We do not state an amount, because we have no documented figure. Ask the International Office.
Auslands-BAföG can fund a partial study stay in North Macedonia, but only under the conditions for countries outside the EU and Switzerland. According to the DSW flyer (as of January 2026), you must have studied at least one year in Germany beforehand, and funding is generally limited to two semesters. The responsible office according to the DSW allocation is the Studierendenwerk Marburg.
Example calculation: For five months in the residence hall at 275 to 310 euros per month (University of Skopje) you pay 1,375 to 1,550 euros for accommodation. Food, utilities and the one-off fee are not included, because the university gives no total. Tuition fees do not apply to Erasmus+ students. Flights and the semester fee of your home university are not included. The sum is a guide, not a promise.
How to prepare before you leave
- Ask your health insurer in writing whether and how you are insured in North Macedonia, and ask about form A/T 11 before you sign the Learning Agreement.
- Take out private travel health insurance with repatriation cover, because the EHIC is not listed and an air ambulance flight is not safely covered.
- Ask the North Macedonian embassy or consulate which visa you need for studying, and submit the documents in good time.
- Check that your passport is valid for at least six months on arrival and for three months longer than your stay.
- Plan to register with the police within 24 hours, or within 48 hours in private accommodation.
- Submit the Auslands-BAföG application about six months before the start, and clarify responsibility with the Studierendenwerk Marburg.
- Ask the International Office about the Erasmus+ grant amount and about costs for exchange students, because the university names no amount.
Frequently asked questions
Does my European Health Insurance Card work in North Macedonia?
North Macedonia is not on the European Commission’s list for the card. Clarify the scope of your cover with your health insurer, and consider private travel health insurance with repatriation cover.
Do I need a visa for North Macedonia?
For tourist stays of up to 90 days the Federal Foreign Office names no visa. For studying, the University of Skopje requires a visa before entry and a residence permit after arrival.
Do I have to pay tuition fees in North Macedonia?
As an Erasmus+ student you are exempt from fees for studies, enrolment and examinations. Small charges may apply. For exchange students without an Erasmus+ agreement we state no amount.
What does a residence hall place at the University of Skopje cost?
The university lists around 275 to 310 euros per person and month. It does not guarantee a place.
Does my health insurer pay for a flight home?
The Federal Foreign Office advises checking with your health insurer whether an air ambulance flight to Germany is covered. A private travel health insurance with repatriation cover can close that gap.
Who is responsible for Auslands-BAföG in North Macedonia?
According to the DSW allocation, the Studierendenwerk Marburg is responsible. The prior-year rule applies because North Macedonia is not part of the EU or Switzerland.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office, North Macedonia: travel and security information (page status 25.10.2026, German)
- European Commission, FAQ social security: European Health Insurance Card (no date)
- Agreement between Germany and the Macedonian government on social security, Skopje, 8 July 2003 (DVKA document, German)
- European Commission, Erasmus+ programme guide: eligible countries (no date)
- European Commission, Erasmus+: studying abroad (last update 18.12.2025)
- University of Skopje (UKIM), incoming mobilities (last changed 15.10.2026)
- University of Skopje (UKIM), brochure for foreign students (study year 2024/25)
- German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW), flyer Auslands-BAföG (as of January 2026, German)
Sources accessed on 25 October 2026, unless stated otherwise.
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Status: October 2026. This guide provides general information and does not replace individual advice.
