The official currency of North Macedonia is the Macedonian Denar (MKD), and despite a growing number of card terminals in Skopje and Ohrid, this is still a cash-friendly country. Most small restaurants, taxis, and local shops outside tourist hotspots accept only banknotes. Knowing where to get good rates and where cards work saves real money on a typical 7-day trip.
This guide covers exchange tips, ATM behavior, card acceptance, and the EUR-vs-MKD trade-offs you'll face when paying for a rental car, fuel, hotels, and meals.
Quick Facts: The Macedonian Denar
- ISO code: MKD
- Symbol: ден (Cyrillic) or "den"
- Banknotes in circulation: 10, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 denar
- Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 denar
- Approximate rate (May 2026): 1 EUR ≈ 61.5 MKD, 1 USD ≈ 56 MKD, 1 GBP ≈ 72 MKD
The denar is pegged informally to the euro in a narrow band, so the EUR/MKD rate barely moves day-to-day. This makes budget planning easy — just multiply euro prices by 60 for a denar estimate, or vice versa.
Where to Exchange Currency
1. ATMs (best rates, lowest hassle)
ATMs from Komercijalna Banka, NLB Banka, Stopanska Banka, Halkbank, and ProCredit are everywhere in Skopje and tourist towns. Withdrawal fees:
- Macedonian bank ATM: typically 60–100 MKD per withdrawal (≈ €1–1.60)
- Foreign card surcharge: depends on your bank (Wise, Revolut, N26 charge nothing or small fixed fees)
- Avoid Euronet branded ATMs — they offer terrible rates plus high fees. Stick to bank-branded machines.
When the ATM asks "convert to your home currency?" → always say NO. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) gives you ~5–7% worse rates than your card's network exchange.
2. Exchange offices ("menjacnica")
Old Bazaar, central Skopje, and Ohrid lakefront have dozens of small exchange shops. Rates are competitive and there are usually no commissions — the spread is in the rate. Quick check before exchanging:
- Compare the buy/sell rate spread. Less than 1.5% spread = good shop.
- Always ask for a receipt.
- Avoid airport exchange counters — their rates run 3–5% worse than city-center shops.
3. Banks
Banks exchange currency during weekday business hours (08:00–17:00) but the process is slow and they require a passport. Use only as a last resort.
Where Cards Work and Where They Don't
| Place | Accepts cards |
|---|---|
| Mid-range and upscale restaurants in Skopje, Ohrid | ✅ Visa, Mastercard |
| Hotels (3-star and up) | ✅ Visa, Mastercard, sometimes Amex |
| Supermarkets (Vero, Tinex, Stokomak, Kam) | ✅ |
| Petrol stations (Makpetrol, Lukoil, OKTA) | ✅ |
| Pharmacies | ✅ |
| Small cafes, bakeries, bus tickets | ❌ Cash only |
| Taxis | ❌ Cash only — sometimes USD/EUR accepted |
| Old Bazaar shops, street food, market vendors | ❌ Cash only |
| Public buses (Skopje city) | ❌ Card or skopski transport card |
| Parking meters (Blue/Green zones) | ❌ SMS or coins |
Rule of thumb: keep 2,000–3,000 MKD (€30–50) in cash on you at all times. You'll spend most of it on small items and never struggle to break a 1,000 MKD note.
Renting a Car in EUR
Our prices are quoted in EUR with VAT already included — there are no surprise charges at pickup. We accept:
- Cash in EUR: at the displayed rate (no conversion fees)
- Cash in MKD: at the day's bank rate (we honor mid-market, no markup)
- Visa / Mastercard: standard merchant fee, no markup to you
Online bookings require no deposit, no card details upfront. Pay on arrival. Some international chains require a €1,000–€1,500 deposit blocked on a credit card; we don't. See why no-deposit rental matters for the trust + insurance breakdown.
Tipping: How Much, Where, and in Which Currency
Tipping is not customary but appreciated:
- Restaurants: 10% of the bill if service was good. Cash is preferred even when paying the main bill by card.
- Taxis: round up to the nearest 50 MKD.
- Hotels: 50–100 MKD per bag for porters; 100–200 MKD per night for housekeeping if you stay several days.
- Tour guides: €5–10 per person for a half-day, €10–20 for a full day.
Always tip in MKD when you can. Locals can't deposit small EUR notes easily and lose value at exchange shops.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Exchanging too much at the airport — rates are 3–5% worse. Take out 5,000 MKD from a city ATM instead.
- Trusting "no commission" exchange shops blindly — check the buy/sell spread.
- Accepting DCC ("would you like to pay in your home currency?") — always decline. You'll save 5–7%.
- Carrying only large notes — break a 1,000 MKD note at a supermarket on day 1. Small vendors won't have change.
- Using foreign cards at parking meters — Skopje's Blue/Green zone meters take only SMS or coins.
How Much Cash Do I Actually Need?
A rough budget for two people, mid-range:
| Daily | EUR | MKD |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast at café | €4–6 | 250–370 |
| Lunch (set menu) | €6–10 | 370–620 |
| Dinner (3 courses, wine) | €15–25 | 920–1540 |
| Coffee × 2 | €2–3 | 125–185 |
| Taxi short-haul | €3–5 | 185–310 |
| Total / day | €30–50 | 1850–3100 |
A 7-day trip = roughly 12,000–20,000 MKD in cash plus card spending on hotels and major meals.
Bottom Line
- Bring an ATM-friendly card (Wise, Revolut, or any Visa/Mastercard with no foreign-transaction fee)
- Withdraw 5,000 MKD on arrival from a city-center bank ATM
- Carry 2,000–3,000 MKD daily for small purchases
- Pay restaurants and hotels by card; pay taxis, markets, and small cafes in cash
- Always decline DCC
For more practical tips on driving costs in Macedonia, see our car rental cost guide. Or check our fleet — prices in EUR, no deposit, pay on arrival.
