Macedonian Citizenship by Descent — A Guide for Emigrants and Their Children
If you or your parents emigrated from North Macedonia, you can apply for Macedonian citizenship through a simplified process — no residency requirement, no language test, and no need to give up your current citizenship.
Who Qualifies for Macedonian Citizenship by Descent?
Under Article 8 of the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of North Macedonia, the following individuals qualify for citizenship by descent: emigrants from North Macedonia, and children of emigrants — even if born and raised entirely outside North Macedonia, and even if they have never visited the country.
This pathway was created specifically for the Macedonian diaspora — an estimated 500,000 to 1 million people of Macedonian origin living in countries such as Australia, the United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and across Western Europe. If your parents emigrated from North Macedonia, you have a legal right to your ancestral citizenship.
The descent pathway is significantly simpler than standard naturalization. You do not need to live in North Macedonia, speak Macedonian, maintain a Macedonian bank account, or prove income inside the country. The key requirements are age (18+), a clean criminal record, and documentary proof of your family's Macedonian origin and emigrant status.
Simplified Requirements: Descent vs. Standard Naturalization
| Requirement | Standard Naturalization | By Descent (Article 8) |
|---|---|---|
| Residency in North Macedonia | 7 years minimum | Not required |
| Macedonian language test | Required | Not required |
| Release from previous citizenship | Required | Not required |
| Housing and income proof | Required | Not required |
| Age 18+ | Required | Required |
| Clean criminal record | Required | Required |
| No pending criminal cases | Required | Required |
| No entry ban | Required | Required |
| No security threat | Required | Required |
How to Apply — Step by Step
- 1
Gather your documents — birth certificates, proof of parents' Macedonian origin, criminal record clearances from your country of citizenship, and certificate of no pending proceedings from a North Macedonian Basic Court
- 2
Submit your application at the nearest Macedonian embassy or consulate (or at the Ministry of Interior regional office if you are visiting North Macedonia)
- 3
Pay the €20 administrative filing fee at the time of submission
- 4
Wait for the Ministry of Interior to process your application and issue a decision
- 5
Upon approval, pay the remaining €80, sign the loyalty oath, and collect your citizenship decision
- 6
Obtain your citizenship certificate, apply for a national ID card, and apply for a North Macedonian passport
Required Documents for Citizenship by Descent
- •Short personal biography (CV)
- •Valid passport or national ID (shown at filing)
- •Birth certificate in international form or with certified Macedonian translation
- •Marriage certificate if applicable (international form or certified translation)
- •Proof of emigrant status: parents' birth certificates, old Macedonian documents, proof of Macedonian ancestry
- •Certificate of no pending criminal proceedings in North Macedonia (from Basic Court)
- •Certificate of no pending criminal proceedings in country of citizenship
- •Criminal record certificate from country of citizenship
- •Payment receipt for the €20 filing fee
Special Provision for Former Yugoslav Citizens
A 2021 amendment to the Law on Citizenship introduced a special provision: citizens of former Yugoslav republics who lived in North Macedonia before September 8, 1991, can acquire citizenship by operation of law upon submission of qualifying documentary evidence. Accepted documents include birth certificates issued in Macedonia, school records, employment records (M1/M2 forms), work booklets, tax receipts, property deeds, and health records proving residence in North Macedonia prior to independence.