The legal system of North Macedonia
A civil-law system based on the 1991 Constitution and Continental codes, with a Constitutional Court. An EU candidate whose 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement built power-sharing for the Albanian community into the constitutional order.
Legal tradition
North Macedonia belongs to the civil law tradition. A civil-law system based on the 1991 Constitution and Continental codes, with a Constitutional Court. An EU candidate whose 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement built power-sharing for the Albanian community into the constitutional order.
How power is divided
A parliamentary republic with a directly elected President, a Government answerable to the Assembly and an independent judiciary, with Ohrid-Agreement community safeguards in decision-making.
Where law comes from
- Constitution
- The 1991 constitution as amended.
- Ratified treaties
- Part of domestic law and above statute.
- Laws of the Assembly
- Primary legislation aligned with the EU acquis.
- Codes
- Obligations, criminal and procedural codes.
The legal profession
Advokati belong to the Macedonian Bar Association; notaries handle deeds, company acts and succession.
Law by topic in North Macedonia
- Constitutional LawThe 1991 Constitution with Ohrid power-sharing and the Badinter majorityNorth Macedonia is a parliamentary republic under the 1991 Constitution, amended after the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement. Laws touching culture, language and identity require a double majority including a majority of minority-community members.
- Criminal LawThe Criminal Code with prosecutor-led investigation after the 2010 reformThe Criminal Code and the 2010 Criminal Procedure Act govern offences and process, transferring the investigation from investigating judges to public prosecutors. Plea bargaining and diversion are available.
- Tax LawLow flat personal and corporate rates with VATNorth Macedonia maintains a low flat personal income tax and a low corporate income tax, historically a core element of its investment promotion. VAT applies at a standard and reduced rate.
- Property & LandCadastre registration with reciprocity limits on foreign ownershipOwnership of real estate is acquired on registration in the real-estate cadastre maintained by the Agency for Real Estate Cadastre. Foreign persons may acquire property subject to reciprocity, with agricultural land restricted.
- Employment & LabourThe Labour Relations Act with a statutory minimum wageThe Labour Relations Act governs individual and collective employment, listing grounds for termination and prescribing notice. A statutory minimum wage is set by law and adjusted by formula.
- Immigration & NationalityThe Foreigners Act with a combined residence and work approachAs a non-EU state, North Macedonia applies the Foreigners Act to all non-nationals. Temporary residence is granted for work, study, family and business, with work authorisation under the employment of foreigners legislation.
- Family LawThe Family Act with mediation and social-work involvementThe Family Act governs marriage, parental rights and maintenance, with divorce available by agreement or on petition. Social work centres and mediation play a substantial role in disputes about children.
- Civil ProcedureThe Civil Procedure Act with private enforcement agentsLitigation follows the Civil Procedure Act in basic and appellate courts, with a payment-order route for documented debts. Enforcement is carried out by private enforcement agents rather than the courts.
- Business & CorporateThe Company Act, one-stop registration and free economic zonesCompany law follows the Company Act, with the DOO the standard vehicle and very low minimum capital. Registration is through the Central Registry's one-stop shop, and technological industrial development zones offer incentives.
- Human RightsConstitutional freedoms, treaties in domestic law and community protectionsThe Constitution protects civil and political freedoms and gives ratified treaties the force of domestic law. Community rights under the Ohrid framework add education, language and representation guarantees.
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