North Macedonia — Tax Guide, Residency & Cost of Living for Expats

Europe · Eastern EuropeUpdated 2026

Tax Score

67/100Worldwide

Tax Data

Income Tax10%
Corporate Tax10%
Capital Gains10%
VAT/GST18%
Wealth TaxNo
Inheritance TaxNo

Residency & Visas

Golden VisaNo
Digital Nomad VisaNo
Citizenship in8 years

Cost of Living & Quality of Life

Cost of Living Index34
Safety6.2/10
Internet60 Mbps
Healthcare5.6/10
Gasoline$1.70/L

Tax Overview

North Macedonia uses a worldwide tax system with moderate rates. While residents are taxed on global income, rates are competitive compared to many developed nations.

Personal Income Tax

North Macedonia applies a flat 10% personal income tax rate. This is considerably lower than most developed nations.

Corporate & Capital Gains

The corporate tax rate is 10%, highly competitive globally. Capital gains are taxed at 10%.

Indirect Taxes & Wealth

VAT/GST is 18%, moderate by international standards. There is no wealth tax. There is no inheritance tax.

Crypto & Digital Assets

North Macedonia takes a standard approach to crypto taxation (score 3/5). Gains are generally treated as capital gains or ordinary income.

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Residency Guide

Relocating to North Macedonia is possible but with limited options. Visa options are more limited, but residency is achievable through standard pathways.

Visa Options

North Macedonia does not currently offer a digital nomad visa or golden visa. Foreigners can explore work, investment, or family reunification visas.

Path to Citizenship

The path to citizenship in North Macedonia takes approximately 8 years — a lengthy timeline by international standards. A minimum presence of 183 days per year is required.

Practical Considerations

As a non-LATAM destination, applicants should consider potential language barriers and cultural differences. Working with a local immigration attorney and verifying apostille/legalization requirements for documents is recommended.

Also consider: Monaco, Vatican City, Andorra

Lifestyle

North Macedonia offers a low cost of living, enabling a comfortable lifestyle on a moderate budget.

Cost of Living

With an index of 34 (reference: 100 = New York City), North Macedonia is significantly cheaper than major world cities. An expat can live comfortably at a fraction of what it would cost in the US or Western Europe.

Safety & Infrastructure

A safety score of 6.2/10 indicates a generally safe environment, with normal precautions recommended. Internet speed of 60 Mbps — adequate for remote work.

Healthcare

With a score of 5.6/10, the healthcare system has limitations. International private health insurance is highly recommended for expats.

Quality of Life

North Macedonia has a Human Development Index of 0.765 (classification: high). This reflects good overall standards, though with areas for improvement.

Data: 2026 · Source: tax_foundation,pwc,manual

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Very low top income tax rate (10%)
  • Low capital gains tax (10%)
  • No wealth tax
  • No inheritance tax
  • Very low cost of living (index 34)
  • Excellent value: affordable and safe

Cons

  • Worldwide tax system — global income taxed
  • Private health insurance recommended (5.6/10)
  • Physical presence requirement (183+ days/year)

Frequently Asked Questions

North Macedonia operates under a worldwide tax system: taxes residents on worldwide income, regardless of where it is earned. The top personal income tax rate is 10%.

About this guide

Researched and maintained by the TuLugar team, based in Asunción, Paraguay.

Data sourced from PwC, Numbeo, UNDP, and Ookla.

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