North Macedonia offers a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program that allows foreign nationals to acquire citizenship through a financial contribution to the country's development. This program is designed to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth by providing a pathway to citizenship for individuals who make significant investments in the country.
There are two primary investment options available under the North Macedonia CBI program:
Investment Fund Contribution: A non-refundable donation of €200,000 to a government-approved private investment fund. This option was introduced in 2021.
Business Investment: A direct investment of €400,000 in a new business facility that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for Macedonian citizens. This investment must be maintained for a minimum of one year. Applicants are prohibited from establishing businesses in excluded sectors, such as restaurants, hospitality, or retail facilities.
To be eligible for the North Macedonia CBI program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Criminal Record: Applicants must have a clean criminal record.
Proof of Funds: Applicants must provide evidence of the legal source of their investment funds.
Family Inclusion: The main applicant can include their spouse and dependent children under the age of 18 in the application. The spouse will be able to obtain citizenship one year after the main applicant.
Successful applicants of the North Macedonia CBI program enjoy several benefits:
Visa-Free Travel: Access to over 120 destinations, including the Schengen Area, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Turkey.
Dual Citizenship: North Macedonia allows dual citizenship, enabling applicants to retain their original nationality.
Tax Advantages: North Macedonia offers one of Europe’s lowest tax rates, both set at 10%.
No Residency Requirement: There is no obligation to maintain a minimum residency duration, providing investors with flexibility in their travel and living arrangements.
Family Inclusion: The program allows for the inclusion of a spouse and dependent children under the age of 18 in the application. The spouse will be able to obtain citizenship one year after the main applicant.
A family from the Middle East wanted to obtain European citizenship to access visa-free travel across Europe and take advantage of North Macedonia’s favorable tax environment. They chose the business investment route, creating a facility that employed more than 10 local workers. After two years, the main applicant and their immediate family successfully obtained North Macedonian citizenship. This allowed them visa-free access to over 120 countries, including the Schengen Area, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Additionally, the investment provided the family with opportunities to expand their business operations within Europe, benefiting from low corporate tax rates and 100% company ownership within the designated Free Zones.
No, there is no residency requirement. Applicants are not obligated to reside in North Macedonia before or after obtaining citizenship.
Yes, the main applicant can include their spouse and dependent children under the age of 18 in the application. The spouse will be able to obtain citizenship one year after the main applicant.
The minimum investment required is €200,000 for a donation to a private government-approved fund. Alternatively, a direct investment of €400,000 in a new business facility that creates at least 10 full-time jobs is also acceptable.
Yes, applicants are prohibited from establishing businesses in the food and beverages and hospitality industries.
The investment must be maintained for a minimum of two years.
Yes, the main applicant can include their spouse and dependent children under the age of 18 in the application. The spouse will be able to obtain citizenship one year after the main applicant.
Yes, North Macedonia allows dual citizenship, enabling applicants to retain their original nationality.
North Macedonia offers one of the EU's lowest corporate and income tax rates, both set at 10%.
The process can take approximately five months for individuals pursuing this pathway
Yes, the program has an annual application quota, allowing just 1,000 applicants to be approved each year.