Most visitors to North Macedonia split their time between Skopje, the capital, with its old bazaar and its many statues, and Ohrid, the lakeside town of churches and monasteries near the border with Albania. Matka Canyon, the Mavrovo and Galičica national parks and the city of Bitola fill the days in between. North Macedonia is not part of the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so European tariffs apply their own roaming rates there.
Key facts for North Macedonia
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: A1, T-Mobile (Telekom) (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: police 192; ambulance 194; fire 193
- Embassies: in Skopje
Skopje
Coverage is strong across Skopje, from the Stone Bridge and the Old Bazaar to the cable car up Mount Vodno. Order taxis by phone or through an app, and check that the meter is running.
Lake Ohrid
Ohrid has good coverage in town and along the lakeshore. Near the southern end of the lake, around the monastery of St Naum, your phone can switch to an Albanian network across the water. A plan for North Macedonia alone does not cover Albania, but a Europe Extended plan covers both.
Matka Canyon and the national parks
In Matka Canyon, just outside Skopje, the signal drops deep in the gorge, and in the Mavrovo and Galičica national parks it comes and goes on the trails. Download maps before hiking and take water, as there are few places to refill.
Getting around the country
Buses link Skopje with Ohrid, Bitola and most towns, and the drive from Skopje to Ohrid takes about three hours on mountain roads. Coverage holds along the main highways but drops on some passes. In July and August, when Ohrid fills with visitors, book bus seats a day or two ahead.
Language and script
Macedonian is written in Cyrillic, but signs in Skopje and Ohrid often add Latin script, and English is widely understood by younger people. A translation app with a camera mode helps with menus and timetables.
Crossing borders
North Macedonia borders Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania. Greece and Bulgaria are inside Roam Like at Home, so an EU SIM works normally there again, while Serbia, Kosovo and Albania are not.
Paying
Cards are widely accepted in Skopje and Ohrid; carry denars in cash for village shops, markets and parking.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM goes on your phone before departure and connects in North Macedonia as soon as you land in Skopje or Ohrid, while your usual number stays reachable for texts and banking codes.
Local prepaid SIMs from A1 or Telekom are sold in phone shops and kiosks, and registration requires your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in North Macedonia
- 192 for the police, 194 for an ambulance and 193 for the fire service; 112 also works from mobile phones.
- Embassies are in Skopje. The Telcomia app shows yours, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in North Macedonia, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
North Macedonia travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about North Macedonia
Does my EU plan work in North Macedonia?
Not under Roam Like at Home; your operator's own rate for the country applies.
Does one plan cover North Macedonia and Albania?
A Europe Extended plan does; a plan for North Macedonia alone does not.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in North Macedonia?
A1 on most plans and Telekom on some, with 4G and 5G where available.
Which numbers should I save?
192 for the police and 194 for an ambulance.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you travel, choose Europe Extended if you will cross into Albania, Serbia or Kosovo, download maps for the parks, carry some denars, and save 192 and 194.
See plans for North Macedonia →
Related reads:
Ready to stay connected without surprises?
Activate your eSIM in seconds and travel connected in 200+ countries and territories.
See plans