Description
North Macedonia is still a little-known destination for many in the UK, which makes it good value and uncrowded. Visitors come for Lake Ohrid and its old churches, the statues and Ottoman bazaar of Skopje, hiking in Mavrovo and Galičica national parks, and wine in the Tikveš region. It is outside the EU, so your UK network’s Europe roaming may not include it.
A travel eSIM keeps things simple. It sits alongside your UK SIM, so your UK number stays in the phone for bank texts, and the eSIM provides the data. Install it at home on Wi-Fi and turn it on when you land.
Choose your North Macedonia data plan
There are 17 plans for North Macedonia. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 100MB – 1 day | £0.55 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £0.92 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £1.01 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £2.34 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £2.60 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £5.25 |
| Unlimited – 3 days | £9.38 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £9.75 |
| Unlimited – 5 days | £15.38 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £15.75 |
| Unlimited – 7 days | £20.62 |
| Unlimited – 10 days | £26.25 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £26.25 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £28.80 |
| Unlimited – 15 days | £36.75 |
| Unlimited – 30 days | £54.00 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £56.15 |
- City break in Skopje: 1GB for 7 days or 3GB for 15 days covers maps, taxis and restaurant searches.
- Summer week at Lake Ohrid: 3GB for 30 days or 5GB for 30 days for photos, video calls and boat trip bookings.
- Short stay with heavy use: unlimited for 3 days up to unlimited for 30 days if you stream or work online.
- Long stays and regular visitors: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in North Macedonia.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in North Macedonia
Most UK visitors fly into Skopje International Airport, and in summer there are also flights to Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport. Data helps with taxi apps in Skopje, bus times between towns, maps of the old bazaar, and translating Macedonian Cyrillic signs and menus.
In the mountains of Mavrovo, Pelister and Galičica, signal can be patchy on trails and minor roads. Download offline maps before hiking or driving through rural areas. Around Lake Ohrid, boat trips to the monastery of Sveti Naum are easy to check and book online.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for North Macedonia, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in North Macedonia and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- North Macedonia only: this plan does not cover Greece, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia or Bulgaria. Some visitors fly into Thessaloniki or cross to the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid, so ask us if your route crosses a border.
- Unlimited plans: a fair-use policy can apply, as with most unlimited travel plans.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Is North Macedonia covered by UK roaming for Europe?
Often not, as it is outside the EU. Check with your UK network, and keep data roaming off on your UK SIM if it is not included.
What currency is used in North Macedonia?
The currency is the Macedonian denar. Cards are widely accepted in Skopje and Ohrid, but cash is handy in villages.
When should I buy my North Macedonia eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
