Exercise Normal Precautions
“Exercise normal precautionin North Macedonia. North Macedonia is generally a safe destination for travelers.”
Updated Thu, 10 Sep 2026
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Is North Macedonia safe? 🇲🇰
Europe · Updated
As of October 2026, North Macedonia scores 79/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. The U.S. State Department rates North Macedonia Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. Of the 4 North Macedonia destinations assessed, Ohrid scores highest (81/100), while Tetovo scores lowest (78/100).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
North Macedonia 🇲🇰
North Macedonia · Assessed 19 October 2026
79
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime75/100GoodCrime index 41.1 / 100
Sentiment84/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories100Good
Stability71Good
Health86Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Travel disruption The European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area. The EES may take each passenger extra time, so it is important to be prepared to wait longer than usual at EU country borders and allow more time for immigration controls if travelling to and from the Schengen area.”
Updated 2026-10-07T12:46:07Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for North Macedonia: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-14T09:05:55.130000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery against visitors is rare and not concentrated in specific areas; occasional incidents reported in Skopje but not targeting tourists.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded tourist spots such as Skopje Old Bazaar, Macedonia Square, and on public buses.
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03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
84/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Travelers report feeling safe day-to-day in Skopje and Ohrid, citing low violent crime and hospitable locals, though some note petty theft in markets and transport hubs.
Yes. North Macedonia is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime and stable conditions.
Official advisories from the US, UK, and Canada all rate North Macedonia at Level 1, indicating normal precautions are sufficient. Violent crime against tourists is rare, though petty theft and scams occur in crowded areas like Skopje’s Old Bazaar and Macedonia Square. Visitors should remain vigilant in tourist hotspots and use metered taxis or ride-hailing apps to avoid overcharging.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026North Macedonia Interior Ministry dismantled an organized crime group involved in drug trafficking and economic crimes— БТА
- Oct 2026UNODC supported North Macedonia in building professional drug investigation capacities through intelligence-led approaches— United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
- Sep 2026Japan lifted travel advisories for North Macedonia, citing improved safety conditions— TRAICY Global
- Aug 2026Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned Romanians about crowds at the North Macedonia-Serbia border— Informat.ro
Common scams
- Taxi overcharging at Skopje airport
- Fake police checks
- Pickpocketing in crowded markets and buses
- Counterfeit banknote exchange
Full briefing
North Macedonia remains a stable and welcoming destination for travelers, with no active security threats targeting visitors. Recent efforts by the Interior Ministry to dismantle an organized crime group involved in drug trafficking and economic crimes, reported by БТА in October 2026, reflect ongoing law enforcement focus on public safety. While violent crime against tourists is uncommon, petty theft persists in high-traffic areas such as Skopje’s Old Bazaar and Macedonia Square, particularly on buses and in markets, as noted by multiple travel guides including opentravelguide.com and macedoniaguidebook.com. Travelers should exercise standard vigilance in these zones, keeping valuables out of sight and using anti-theft bags or money belts.
Scams remain a notable concern, especially for arriving visitors. Airport taxi overcharging is frequently reported, with guides like atlas-guide.com advising the use of metered taxis or ride-hailing apps such as inDriver to avoid inflated fares. Fake police checks and counterfeit banknote exchanges have also been documented, particularly near tourist hubs; exchanging money only at official bureaux de change or banks is strongly recommended. Political demonstrations occasionally occur near Macedonia Square, though they are typically peaceful and rarely affect tourists—still, avoiding such gatherings is prudent, as advised by official sources and travel safety sites.
Overall, the environment feels safe and relaxed for most visitors, with a consumer sentiment score of 78 reflecting mostly positive experiences. Travelers consistently describe Skopje and Ohrid as walkable, hospitable, and low-drama, provided basic precautions are taken. Road safety remains a moderate concern due to variable conditions and assertive driving habits, so defensive driving is advised if renting a car. With no active disaster alerts and normal precautions in place per US, UK, and Canadian advisories, North Macedonia offers a secure and rewarding experience for those who stay aware and prepared.
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06 · Destinations
North Macedonia destinations by safety score
#1🇲🇰OhridSafe · updated 13 October 202681#2🇲🇰BitolaSafe · updated 13 October 202681#3🇲🇰SkopjeSafe · updated 13 October 202680#4🇲🇰TetovoSafe · updated 13 October 202678
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07 · Questions
North Macedonia safety FAQ
Is North Macedonia safe to visit right now?
The U.S. State Department currently rates North Macedonia Level 1 of 4 — Exercise Normal Precautions. On our composite index North Macedonia scores 79/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 19 October 2026.)
What is the safest place to visit in North Macedonia?
Of the destinations we've assessed, Ohrid currently scores highest at 81/100 (Safe). Tetovo scores lowest at 78/100.
Where does this North Macedonia safety data come from?
Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.