The currency of North Macedonia is the Macedonian denar (MKD, written ден). The National Bank keeps the denar broadly stable against the euro; for quick mental arithmetic, one euro is about 61–62 denars. This is a planning shortcut, not the rate your card or exchange office must give you.
Cards work in many larger businesses in Skopje and Ohrid, but keep denars for smaller purchases, transport and places with limited terminals. Choose MKD, read any local withdrawal fee, and check your card issuer’s charges.
Quick answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What currency does North Macedonia use? | The Macedonian denar (MKD; ден). |
| Can you pay in euros? | Do not rely on it. Some tourist businesses may quote euros, but everyday payments are in denars. |
| Exchange rate to EUR / USD / GBP | For orientation, €1 is roughly 61–62 MKD and 100 MKD roughly €1.60. Check the National Bank’s daily list for the exact EUR, USD and GBP rates on your travel date. |
| Are ATMs free? | Do not assume so. Stopanska Banka publishes a 250 MKD access fee for foreign cards; your card issuer may charge separately. |
| Are cards widely accepted? | Common at larger hotels, supermarkets and restaurants; carry cash for smaller transactions. |
| How much cash to carry per day? | Excluding accommodation, carry about 1,000–2,000 MKD (€16–32) on a budget day, 2,000–3,700 MKD (€32–60) mid-range, or 3,500–6,200 MKD (€57–100) for a comfortable cash-heavy day. |
The Macedonian denar explained
The denar is the local unit, with the international code MKD. Prices may show “ден”, “денари”, or “MKD”. The National Bank lists circulating banknotes of 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 denars, and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 50 denars. Small notes and coins are useful for markets, tickets and exact change. Do not expect every small stall to change a large banknote.
Can you pay with euros in North Macedonia?
The denar is the currency to plan around. A hotel, tour agency or private transfer might quote a price in euros, particularly to international travelers, but acceptance is a merchant decision. A market stall, small cafe, city bus or modest restaurant may expect denars. Ask before ordering or boarding rather than assuming a euro note will be welcome.
ATMs in North Macedonia: fees and which banks to use
The local ATM operator’s fee is separate from any cash withdrawal, foreign transaction or conversion fee charged by your own card provider. Stopanska Banka explicitly publishes an access fee for a card issued abroad. Comparable current foreign-card access fees are not published clearly on the other named banks’ public tariff pages, so a “free ATM” ranking would be misleading.
| Bank | Typical foreign card fee | Where you find it | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stopanska Banka AD – Skopje | 250 MKD access fee published for a foreign payment card | Bank’s ATM locator lists Skopje and Ohrid | Check the screen; your own issuer can add a charge. |
ATM fees checked on 29 September 2026. Banks change fees without notice, so always read the fee screen before confirming.
Stopanska’s published tariff states the foreign-card access fee, and its ATM locator lists locations. For NLB, Komercijalna, Halkbank, Sparkasse and ProCredit, check the fee shown on screen before confirming; a fee for the bank’s own customers is not proof of what a foreign visitor pays. Compare another bank machine if the charge looks high.
Euronet machines are listed by Sparkasse’s location page, so they do exist locally. The operator name alone does not establish a particular fee or exchange markup. Read the withdrawal total and conversion offer on each machine, and cancel if the terms are worse than a nearby bank ATM. Use a machine attached to a staffed branch when practical, particularly if you are concerned about a retained card.
The rule that saves you the most: always choose denars (MKD)
Dynamic Currency Conversion, or DCC, is the option to have a cash withdrawal or card purchase billed in your home currency at a rate chosen by the ATM or merchant. Visa says the screen should disclose the rate and any markup and let you decline. Choose “MKD”, “local currency” or “without conversion” so your card provider handles the exchange instead. Declining conversion does not cancel the withdrawal.
For a simple illustration, imagine a 6,000 MKD withdrawal and an offered conversion that is 3% to 8% worse than the card provider’s alternative. That hypothetical markup would add 180 to 480 MKD before any ATM or card fee. The range is an example, not a verified market-wide DCC rate: compare the actual figures on the screen. If the machine also charges Stopanska’s published 250 MKD, that is a separate cost, not part of the conversion example.
How to withdraw cash with the lowest fees
- Use a card whose foreign spending and withdrawal terms you understand. Wise, Revolut and conventional bank cards have different allowances, exchange rates and country restrictions.
- If there is a fixed local fee, withdraw a sensible larger amount rather than repeatedly paying it for small withdrawals. Keep only what you are comfortable carrying.
- Prefer a bank ATM at a branch during opening hours when possible. Check that it accepts your card network before entering a PIN.
- Decline DCC and request MKD. Review the ATM operator fee and the total before pressing confirm.
- Check your card’s daily withdrawal limit, cash allowance and travel settings before departure. Carry a backup payment method.
You can get a Wise card for fee-free spending in MKD only if your account terms make that possible. Wise says conversion fees apply when you do not hold the transaction currency, ATM allowances depend on where the card was issued, and third-party machines can charge their own fees. In particular, confirm card availability for your issuing country before relying on it; “fee-free” is not a promise that a denar withdrawal costs nothing.
Exchange offices (menuvačnica)
A licensed exchange office is a practical option if you arrive with euros. In Skopje and Ohrid, compare the displayed buy rate for euros with the National Bank reference, ask whether a separate commission applies, and count the denars before leaving the counter. The advertised rate for selling euros to you is not the rate you receive when handing over euros, so check the direction carefully.
Cards: where they work and where you need cash
In Skopje, expect card terminals at many hotels, supermarkets, malls, larger restaurants and petrol stations. Ohrid’s established hotels and restaurants often take cards as well. Acceptance still depends on each business and its working terminal, so ask before ordering. A digital wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay depends on your card issuer and the merchant’s contactless terminal; a wallet icon on your phone cannot replace a working card network.
Carry denars for produce markets, small bakeries or cafes, private taxis, guesthouses and some boat trips on Lake Ohrid. Intercity buses may sell tickets at a counter or on board under different payment rules; confirm the method for your Skopje–Ohrid service. Some churches and museums have small admission charges and may prefer cash. The Ohrid travel guide helps plan those stops. See is North Macedonia safe to visit for general precautions.
Cash at Skopje and Ohrid airports
Skopje International Airport lists a bank and currency exchange in its landside arrivals area. Its passenger information also identifies ATMs near the terminal entrance. Check opening hours and the current exchange quote rather than assuming every counter is available when a late flight arrives. The airport shuttle and private transfers have their own payment rules, so ask your operator or driver before relying on a card.
Ohrid airport lists exchange counters with hours tied to the flight schedule. Ohrid Airport does not publish a dependable on-site ATM listing, so arrive with a backup card or a modest amount of euros and confirm your onward transport payment in advance. Exchange just enough for the first transfer if the airport quote is poor, then compare a city exchange office or bank ATM. Check hotels in Ohrid before deciding where you need cash on arrival.
How much cash do you need per day?
Accommodation is excluded because it is usually paid by card or online. These are practical per-person cash allowances for food, local transport and admission, not fixed national prices. Skopje and Ohrid can be cheaper or more expensive depending on where you eat and whether you use taxis.
| Travel style | Food | Local transport | Admissions | Suggested daily cash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 800–1,400 MKD (€13–23) | 70–200 MKD (€1–3) | 0–400 MKD (€0–6.50) | 1,000–2,000 MKD (€16–32) |
| Mid-range | 1,400–2,400 MKD (€23–39) | 120–500 MKD (€2–8) | 400–800 MKD (€6.50–13) | 2,000–3,700 MKD (€32–60) |
| Comfortable | 2,400–4,000 MKD (€39–65) | 300–1,000 MKD (€5–16) | 400–1,200 MKD (€6.50–19) | 3,500–6,200 MKD (€57–100) |
Planning estimates checked 29 September 2026. They use the official JSP Skopje fare table (35–50 MKD for a single ride and 120 MKD for a day ticket), the Archaeological Museum’s official 400 MKD foreign-adult ticket, and currently published Skopje menu prices as reference points. Restaurant, taxi and Ohrid prices vary, so keep a small buffer. For a border trip, compare Albania costs and how to get cash in Albania without ATM fees.
Tipping in North Macedonia
Rounding up a small bill or leaving a modest cash tip for good table service is a simple approach. Around 10% is a common discretionary reference for restaurant service, not a mandatory charge. Check whether a service charge is already included, then tip according to the service and your preference. Small denar notes make this easier than asking a server to split a card payment.
FAQ
What is the currency of North Macedonia?
It is the Macedonian denar, abbreviated MKD and shown locally as ден or денари. Use denars for ordinary purchases and keep smaller notes for cash-only sellers.
Is North Macedonia on the euro?
No. The denar is the currency, although its value is managed close to the euro. An occasional euro quote at a tourist business does not make euros the standard payment method.
How much is 1 euro in Macedonian denar?
For quick planning, use roughly 61–62 MKD per euro. The National Bank publishes the precise daily middle rate; your card or exchange office can give a different customer rate.
Can I use euros in Skopje and Ohrid?
Some tourist businesses may agree, but do not count on it in markets, small cafes or public transport. Ask about the exchange rate and change if you are offered a euro price, or pay in denars.
Are ATMs in North Macedonia free?
Not necessarily. Stopanska Banka publishes a 250 MKD access fee for foreign payment cards at its ATMs; your card issuer may charge separately. Check every machine’s fee screen before confirming.
Should I exchange money before I travel to North Macedonia?
Compare the rate at home first, but there is no need to buy a large amount of denars at an uncompetitive quote. A card and a small backup amount of euros give you options on arrival.
Can I use my card in North Macedonia?
Yes, at many hotels, supermarkets and larger restaurants, subject to the merchant and your issuer. Keep cash for small sellers, some transport and any terminal outage.
For more routes, costs and practical planning, explore all our North Macedonia travel guides.
