Under the Foreigners Act, foreign-nationals who wish to settle in Macedonia and start a business incorporating a private company, or working as self-employed, may apply for a temporary residence permit and a personal work permit.

You will have to file a detailed business plan on your project and prove that you have substantial financial means to support yourself during your stay in the country.

The permit is usually valid for 1 year. However, depending on the time requested in the application, the business project and the applicant’s net worth level, they may be issued for up to 3 years or even for an unlimited period of time.

Permits are extendable provided that you are conducting an economic activity and have achieved an acceptable income level. You also must have resided in Macedonia for at least a quarter of the period for which the permit was issued.

Once you get the temporary residence and the personal work permit, your dependents may apply for a temporary residence permit for family reunification. Dependents include a spouse, minor children, first-degree relatives in the direct ascending line, children of legal age who are unable to take care of their needs due to health reasons, as well as parents of a minor if it is to the best interest of the child.

Once you have resided in the country with a Temporary Residence Permit for 5 years or more, you may be eligible for permanent residency, as long as you have not been absent for a continuous period of 6 months or for a discontinuous period of 10 months.

After continuously residing in Macedonia for eight years you may qualify for citizenship. To become a citizen, you may be required to have Macedonian language skills, and knowledge of the country’s history, values and culture.