Welder

---

The Macedonian government issues three different types of visas to foreign nationals:

• Type B visas for transit, which allow a maximum stay of five days

• Type C visas for short visits up to three months

• Type D visas for long stays for work, medical treatment, scientific research, study, humanitarian work, or family reunification

To live and work in Macedonia, foreign employees will need to obtain a Type D visa. However, the long-stay visa on its own does not allow the employee to reside in Macedonia. They will need to complete the process of obtaining a temporary residence permit from the Ministry of Interior upon arrival in the country.

The employee will also need a work permit, which must be obtained on their behalf by the employer in Macedonia.

To live and work in Macedonia, foreign employees will need to obtain a residency permit as well as a work permit.

Before traveling to Macedonia, the employee will need to submit the following documents to obtain a Type D visa:

• A temporary residence application form

• A valid passport

• One passport-sized photograph

• Proof of the applicant’s health insurance

• A copy of the applicant’s work permit application, which should be provided by the employer

To get a temporary residency permit, employees will need to provide additional documentation upon arrival in Macedonia:

• Approval of temporary residence from the Ministry of Interior

• Evidence of accommodation in Macedonia

• The original, certified copy of the employee’s work permit application

• A valid passport and one passport photo

• A criminal background check

• Proof of travel insurance

It is legally required to put a written employment contract in place in Macedonia, in the local language, which spells out the terms of the employee’s compensation, benefits, and termination requirements. An offer letter and employment contract in Macedonia should always state the salary and any compensation amounts in Macedonian denar rather than a foreign currency. 

The general work week in Macedonia is 40 hours, with five, eight-hour days. 

Macedonia celebrates 11 national holidays:

• New Year’s Day

• Orthodox Christmas Day

• Labor Day

• Orthodox Easter Monday

• Saints Cyril and Methodius Day

• Ramazan Bajram

• Day of the Republic

• Independence Day

• People’s Uprising Against Fascism Day

• Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle

• St. Clement of Ohrid Day

Employees are generally entitled to 20 to 26 days of paid annual leave, and up to an additional seven for marriage, bereavement, or professional examinations. 

Employees are generally eligible for paid sick leave.

Female employees are generally entitled to 9 months of paid maternity leave.

Fathers may take up to seven days of paid paternity leave if the mother does not take her maternity leave.

Macedonia has public health care covered by the Health Insurance Fund. The fund pays for most preventative care, examinations, and treatments. 

Supplemental insurance to cover private healthcare is sometimes given as a benefit.

Annual bonuses are common in Macedonia.

In general, employees are entitled to at least one month’s written notice of termination for just cause and up to 6 months’ notice.

Employers are generally supposed to find terminated employees new employment, pay for training, or provide a severance payment of one month’s salary for each two years’ service, up to 12 months’ of wages.

There is a flat personal income tax of 10%.

Macedonia plans to implement new personal income tax rates on January 1 2023 with a 10% tax rate up to MKD 1,080,000 and an 18% tax on the difference of any income beyond that amount. There will also be different tax rates for capital gains as well as income whose origin cannot be proved.

Employers must also withhold the following from employees’ gross salary:

• Pension and disability insurance: 18.8%.

• Health insurance: 7.5%.

• Employment insurance: 1.2%.

• Additional health insurance: 0.5%.

This information is provided as generally accepted information and is not intended as advisory services.