How long do I need to be married before I can apply?

If you live in North Macedonia, at least 3 years of marriage combined with at least 1 year of continuous legal residence in North Macedonia. If you live abroad, at least 8 years of marriage. In both cases, the marriage must be officially registered before a civil registrar.

Do I need to speak Macedonian to get citizenship through marriage?

No. The Macedonian language requirement is fully waived for citizenship by marriage under both Option A (living in North Macedonia) and Option B (living abroad). This is one of the key simplifications of the marriage pathway compared to standard naturalization.

Do I have to give up my current citizenship to apply?

No. The requirement to release from your previous citizenship is explicitly waived for the marriage pathway. North Macedonia fully permits dual citizenship, and you are free to maintain your current nationality while becoming a Macedonian citizen.

Can I apply from abroad if I've only been married for 3 years?

No. The 3-year marriage option (Option A) also requires at least 1 year of continuous legal residence in North Macedonia. If you live abroad, you need at least 8 years of marriage under Option B, which has no residency requirement.

What if my spouse and I separate during the application process?

Your application is assessed based on conditions at the time of submission. A divorce or separation during processing may affect your application. If your marital status changes during the process, it is strongly recommended to seek legal advice on how it impacts your citizenship case.

Can my children get Macedonian citizenship through my marriage application?

Yes. Once you become a Macedonian citizen, your minor children (under 18) can be included in your application. Any future children born to you as a Macedonian citizen will automatically receive citizenship by origin at birth.

What does 'strong and effective connection to North Macedonia' mean for Option B?

For applicants living abroad for 8+ years of marriage, the Ministry looks for evidence of a genuine, ongoing connection to North Macedonia. This can include regular visits to North Macedonia, financial ties (property, investments), family members residing there, participation in the Macedonian diaspora community, or business relationships with North Macedonian entities.

Does a religious marriage ceremony count?

No. Only a legally registered civil marriage is accepted. A religious ceremony alone is not sufficient for citizenship purposes. The marriage must be officially registered with the civil authorities and documented with a civil marriage certificate.

Macedonian Citizenship by Marriage — How to Apply as a Spouse

If you are married to a citizen of North Macedonia, you can apply for Macedonian citizenship through a simplified naturalization process — with reduced residency requirements, no language test, and no obligation to renounce your current citizenship.

Macedonian Citizenship for Spouses — The Simplified Pathway

North Macedonian law provides a simplified naturalization pathway for foreign nationals married to Macedonian citizens. Under Articles 9 and 9-a of the Law on Citizenship, spouses of Macedonian citizens qualify for citizenship with significantly reduced requirements compared to standard naturalization — most notably, no Macedonian language test and no obligation to renounce their existing nationality.

There are two options depending on where you live. If you reside in North Macedonia, you can apply after 3 years of marriage and 1 year of continuous legal residence. If you live abroad, you can apply after 8 years of marriage with no residency requirement in North Macedonia. Both options carry the same €100 total administrative fee.

The marriage must be legally registered — a civil ceremony is required. Religious ceremonies alone are not recognized for citizenship purposes. The Ministry of Interior reviews applications to confirm the marriage is genuine and subsisting.

Two Pathways Based on Where You Live

Option A — Living in North Macedonia

3 years of marriage + 1 year of residence

Standard conditions still required: age 18+, clean criminal record, no entry ban, no security threat.

WAIVED: WAIVED: 7-year residency requirement, housing/income proof, Macedonian language test, release from previous citizenship

Option B — Living Abroad

8 years of marriage (no MK residence needed)

Must demonstrate a strong and effective connection to North Macedonia (visits, property, family ties, business relations).

WAIVED: WAIVED: All residency in North Macedonia, housing/income proof, Macedonian language test, release from previous citizenship

Required Documents

•Short personal biography (CV)
•Valid passport or national ID
•Birth certificate in international form or with certified Macedonian translation
•Marriage certificate in international form or with certified Macedonian translation
•Citizenship certificate of your Macedonian spouse
•Certificate of no pending criminal proceedings in North Macedonia (from Basic Court)
•Certificate of no pending criminal proceedings in your country of citizenship
•Criminal record certificate from your country of citizenship
•Payment receipt for the €20 filing fee

Option A additionally requires: proof of legal residence in North Macedonia (residence registration certificate)

Option B additionally requires: copy of legal residence document abroad + evidence of ongoing connection to North Macedonia (visit stamps, property documents, etc.)

Important Details

Civil marriage only: Religious or traditional ceremonies alone are not accepted. The marriage must be legally registered with civil authorities and documented with a civil marriage certificate.

Genuine marriage: The Ministry of Interior reviews applications to verify the marriage is genuine. Fraudulent marriages for citizenship purposes are a criminal offense.

Spouse cooperation required: Your Macedonian spouse needs to provide their valid citizenship certificate as part of your application.

Minor children: Children under 18 can be included in your application and receive citizenship simultaneously.

Loyalty oath: Required upon approval of your application.

Dual citizenship: You are not required to renounce your current citizenship at any point in the process.

Option A vs. Option B at a Glance

Factor	Option A (Living in MK)	Option B (Living Abroad)
Marriage duration	3+ years	8+ years
Residency in North Macedonia	1 year continuous	Not required
Language requirement	Not required	Not required
Release from other citizenship	Not required	Not required
Housing/income proof	Not required	Not required
Administrative fee	€100 total	€100 total

Frequently Asked Questions

Married to a Macedonian Citizen?

Determine whether Option A or Option B applies to you, gather your documents, and start your application. Contact us if you need guidance.