SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

Do North Macedonians need ETIAS?

Yes

Yes. North Macedonian citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches they will need an ETIAS authorisation for the Schengen area.

Needs ETIAS?
Yes
Cost
€20
Validity
3 yrs
From
Q4 2026

Citizens of North Macedonia have travelled visa-free to the Schengen area since December 2009 with a biometric passport, as part of the Western Balkans visa liberalisation. ETIAS will add a pre-travel authorisation to those same trips.

North Macedonia is an EU candidate but is not in Schengen, so the 90/180 clock only runs while you are inside the Schengen area. ETIAS is a quick online step, not a visa, and leaves the day limit unchanged.

A biometric passport is required

Your visa-free status, and your ETIAS eligibility, rest on holding a biometric North Macedonian passport. As an EU candidate country North Macedonia is moving steadily closer to the EU, but until accession the same visa-exempt-plus-ETIAS regime applies. Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months past your intended departure from Europe.

How North Macedonians will apply

When ETIAS launches, North Macedonians will apply online on the official EU portal, pay €20 (free under 18 or over 70), and receive an authorisation linked to their passport for up to 3 years. It is not a visa - see what ETIAS is and how it differs from a visa.

ETIAS gets North Macedonians to the border; it does not extend the stay. Check how many days are left with the free 90/180 calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Do North Macedonians need ETIAS?

Yes. North Macedonian citizens with a biometric passport are visa-exempt for short stays, so once ETIAS launches they will need an ETIAS authorisation for the Schengen area.

How much will ETIAS cost North Macedonians?

€20 per application, free for travellers under 18 or over 70. One authorisation lasts up to 3 years. See ETIAS cost.

When will North Macedonians need ETIAS from?

From the launch of ETIAS, expected in the last quarter of 2026. No exact date is set yet - track it on the ETIAS start date page.

Does ETIAS change the 90-day limit for North Macedonians?

No. ETIAS lets you travel, but the 90/180-day rule still caps short stays at 90 days in any 180. Plan it with the 90/180 calculator.

Sources