Macedonian international telephone prefix number is 389.
Border formalities
For entrance in Macedonia, a passport or some other valid identification
document is necessary so that a border pass permit can be issued
(valid three months). If the visa
is necessary, in most cases it can also be issued at the border. However,
if you're not sure if you need a visa, it is a good idea to check at the
Macedonian Embassy or Consulate in your country prior to your trip.
Customs
Tourists can bring in Macedonia all their personal belongings without
any limitations. Duty-free allowance is 200 cigarettes, one bottle
(1 liter) of alcoholic beverage, 1 kg coffee or tea, parfume for personal
use.
You should declare: sport/camping-, professional radio-, TV-, HIFI-, or
photo-equipment.
Vehicles
When entering Macedonia by car the test certificate (motor vehicle
registration documents), the international Green insurance card and
mandate from the owner of the vehicle (if the driver is not the owner
her/himself), are required.
Boats and yachts for personal use do not need be declared. The proof of
ownership must be presented.
Pets
Animals (dogs, cats and others) must have permission, the yellow
health document and certificate of vaccination, especially vaccination
against rabies.
Money
The Macedonian currency is (Macedonian Denar - MKD).
Money should be exchanged in official exchange offices (banks, post
offices, hotels, tourist agencies) according to current exchange rates.
When leaving Macedonia foreigners can exchange MKDs back into foreign
currency (at official places) only after presenting the evidence on
exchange for Denars when entering the country.
Credit cards
Some major credit cards (Diners, American Express, Visa and
MasterCard/EuroCard) and euro-checks can be used for payments wherever
noticed, as a rule in most hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Shopping
Shops in Macedonia offer a great variety of domestic and imported wares.
Duty free shops are generally situated in duty
free zones (airports and road border crossings).
Usual opening hours of shops:
Mon to Fri 8.00 am 8.00 pm or to 9.00 pm in summer,
Sat 8.00 am - 3.00 pm, in tourist resorts prolonged in summer.
Usual working hours
Institutions and offices:
from Monday to Friday 8.00 am - 8.00 pm or 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Banks:
Mon to Fri 8.00 am - 7.00 pm, Sat 8.00 am - Noon,
on airports, railway and bus stations prolonged.
In the flat regions, continental - hot and dry summers and cold winters;
in the highlands, mountainous - cool summers and cold winters with plenty of
snow.
Time
Central European Time zone (CET), summer season - from end of March to end of September - 1 hour shifted forward.
Accomodation
The hotel accomodation in Macedonia is classified
as L (de lux), A, B, C and D category. There are also tourist
appartments, pansions, camps, hostels and private houses and rooms. The
prices are dependent on the category and time of the year (out-of-season
prices are more affordable).
Health insurance
In all bigger towns there are hospitals, infirmatories and pharmacies.
The service is good and prices moderate. Foreign tourists do not pay
for the health services if their native country signed the Health
Insurance Convention with Macedonia (in that case you only need a form
from your native country). The ambulance telephone number is
94.
News in a foreign language
Macedonian Radio news will be available on the Internet
soon.
At the moment, Macedonian news is available via
e-mail or through a
newsgroup.
