SIM Card & Mobile Internet in North Macedonia for Tourists

Mobile internet is essential for navigating North Macedonia by car. Google Maps, WhatsApp for roadside assistance, and translation apps all require data. Fortunately, prepaid SIM cards are cheap, easy to buy, and provide excellent coverage across the country.

Best Mobile Carriers

North Macedonia has three mobile operators:

Recommendation: A1 or T-Mobile for driving trips. Both have strong coverage on motorways and in rural areas including Mavrovo, Galicica, and mountain passes. Lycamobile is cheaper but loses signal outside urban areas — not ideal if you're driving.

Where to Buy

Skopje Airport (SKP)

There is no SIM card shop inside the arrivals hall. However, you can:

• Ask at the airport kiosk — some sell A1/T-Mobile prepaid SIMs
• Walk to the petrol station across the airport parking — they often stock SIMs
• Buy in Skopje city centre — only 25 minutes from the airport by car

Skopje City Centre

Both A1 and T-Mobile have retail stores on Macedonia Street (Плоштад Македонија area):

• A1 Store: City Mall, Partizanski Odredi Blvd (5 min from centre)
• T-Mobile Store: Macedonia Square area, multiple locations
• Vero Centre Mall: Both operators have kiosks

What you need: Passport or national ID. The SIM is registered to your name (legal requirement). The process takes 5–10 minutes.

Other Cities

A1 and T-Mobile stores are available in Ohrid, Bitola, Tetovo, Kumanovo, and all major towns. Look for the red (A1) or magenta (T-Mobile) signage.

Prepaid Plans & Prices

A1 Tourist Plans (2026 Prices)

All plans include:

• Free incoming calls
• 100 minutes domestic calls
• 100 SMS
• 4G/LTE speed

T-Mobile Tourist Plans

Top-Up

Top up your balance at any:

• Mobile operator store
• Newspaper kiosk (тутунџилница)
• Supermarket checkout (Vero, Tinex, Kam)
• Online via the operator's app

Coverage Map

Excellent Coverage (4G everywhere)

• Skopje and surrounding area
• A1 motorway (Skopje–Thessaloniki)
• A2 motorway (Skopje–Ohrid)
• Ohrid, Bitola, Tetovo, Kumanovo, Prilep
• All major towns

Good Coverage (4G/3G)

• Mavrovo National Park — coverage on the main road, spotty on trails
• Galicica mountain pass — intermittent on the summit
• Rural villages — usually 3G at minimum
• Stobi archaeological site — good coverage (near A1)

Weak/No Coverage

• Deep mountain valleys (Šar Mountains above 2,000m)
• Remote Prespa lakeshore (southern Albanian border area)
• Some hiking trails in Pelister National Park

Tip: Download your Google Maps route for offline use before heading into mountain areas. Open Google Maps → search your destination → tap "Download" to save the area for offline navigation.

eSIM Alternative

If your phone supports eSIM (iPhone XS or later, most recent Android flagships), you can skip the physical SIM entirely:

1. Airalo — global eSIM provider, North Macedonia plans from €4.50/GB
2. Holafly — unlimited data eSIM for Europe, ~€19/week

Advantage: No need to visit a shop. Activate before you land.

Disadvantage: eSIM plans don't include a local phone number for calls. You'll need WhatsApp or similar for voice communication.

Using Your Phone While Driving

Navigation

Google Maps works excellently in North Macedonia. All roads, fuel stations, and points of interest are accurately mapped. Waze is also available but has fewer local users reporting traffic.

Mount your phone on the dashboard — using your phone in hand while driving is illegal in North Macedonia. Fines start from €45.

Our GPS Add-On

Don't want to use your phone? We offer a portable GPS device for €3/day with preloaded North Macedonia maps. Add this option when booking online.

Calling for Help

Save these numbers before you start driving:

• Relax Rent a Car: +389 71 392 488 (also on WhatsApp)
• Police: 192
• Roadside Assistance: 196
• Emergency: 112

See our emergency numbers guide for full breakdown procedures.

EU Roaming

If you have an EU/EEA mobile plan, your home plan's data allowance roams for free in North Macedonia since July 2021 (under the Western Balkans roaming agreement). Check with your carrier — some budget MVNOs (virtual operators) exclude Western Balkans countries.

UK customers: Post-Brexit, North Macedonia is NOT included in standard UK roaming. Buy a local SIM or eSIM.

Cross-Border Data

Planning to drive to Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, or Greece? Your Macedonian SIM will roam in these countries but at higher rates. Options:

• Buy a separate SIM in each country (cheapest but inconvenient)
• Use Airalo/Holafly eSIM with a multi-country Europe plan
• Rely on WiFi at hotels and restaurants
• Download offline maps before crossing each border

For cross-border driving documentation, Green Card insurance is separate from phone coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much data do I need for a 7-day road trip? Google Maps navigation uses approximately 5–10 MB per hour of driving. A 7-day trip with 3–4 hours of daily driving uses about 200–300 MB for navigation alone. Add WhatsApp, web browsing, and photos — 3–5 GB is comfortable for a week.

Can I use my phone as a WiFi hotspot? Yes. All Macedonian prepaid plans allow tethering/hotspot. Share your data with travel companions' devices.

Is there WiFi at hotels and restaurants? Yes. Free WiFi is standard at virtually all hotels, restaurants, and cafés in North Macedonia. Even small rural guesthouses typically offer WiFi.

What if my phone is locked to my home carrier? You won't be able to use a local SIM. Options: (1) ask your carrier to unlock the phone before travelling, (2) use an eSIM if supported, (3) use our GPS device add-on (€3/day).

Stay Connected

A €5–8 prepaid SIM gives you reliable navigation, emergency calling, and internet for your entire trip. Buy one at the A1 or T-Mobile store in Skopje, and you're set for the road.

Book your rental car and add GPS navigation (€3/day) if you prefer a dedicated device. Either way — stay connected, stay safe.