More than 10,000 Turkish citizens have applied for North Macedonian citizenship over the past four years, following amendments to the country’s citizenship law in 2021 that eased access for members of the diaspora, according to data from the Interior Ministry cited by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
The surge in applications followed legal changes that broadened the definition of “emigrant” and simplified procedures for people claiming Macedonian origin or family ties, allowing them to obtain citizenship without mandatory residence in the country, full language proficiency, or renunciation of their existing nationality.
According to the Interior Ministry, around 10,500 Turkish nationals submitted applications on these grounds, with most requests filed after the amendments came into force.
Legal changes drive demand
The amendments were adopted under a previous government led by the Social Democrats and the ethnic Albanian DUI party, on a proposal by then interior minister Oliver Spasovski. Authorities say the reforms were intended to strengthen ties with the diaspora but have had the side effect of sharply increasing applications from Turkey, home to a large community with historical links to North Macedonia.
RFE/RL reported that applicants citing Macedonian ethnic origin are exempt from some of the requirements that apply to other foreign nationals, including language testing and long-term residence.
Economic and personal motivations
Many applicants cite economic reasons for seeking North Macedonian citizenship. RFE/RL spoke to several Turkish nationals who said rising living costs, currency instability and political uncertainty in Turkey had influenced their decision.
“With the same income that barely covers basic expenses in Turkey, life in Skopje is significantly more affordable,” said one applicant who relocated to North Macedonia after marrying a Macedonian citizen and now works in the hospitality sector.
Business links and migration patterns
Analysts say economic ties between the two countries are a key factor. According to the Macedonian–Turkish Chamber of Commerce, more than 4,100 companies with Turkish capital were registered in North Macedonia in 2024, mainly in construction, trade and services.
“Business activity creates incentives for investors and employees to regularise their legal status, including citizenship,” statistician Doncho Gerasimovski told RFE/RL.
The number of Turkish students in North Macedonia has also increased. Data from Goce Delchev University in Štip show that around 900 Turkish students enrolled there over the past 12 years, attracted by lower tuition fees and living costs compared with Turkey.
Demographic and EU context
According to North Macedonia’s 2021 census, ethnic Turks make up about 3.9% of the population, or roughly 83,000 people, most of whom reside permanently in the country.
Turkish media have increasingly portrayed North Macedonia as an attractive destination, citing visa-free travel to the Schengen area with a Macedonian passport as an additional incentive, RFE/RL reported.
At the same time, the European Union has tightened oversight of visa-free regimes with Western Balkan countries, warning that citizenship policies perceived as overly permissive could trigger closer monitoring or temporary suspension mechanisms.
North Macedonia, like other Western Balkan states, is under EU scrutiny to ensure its citizenship and migration policies align with European standards, particularly as Brussels seeks to curb irregular migration and security risks.
Regional comparisons
Elsewhere in the region, Montenegro has introduced tighter residency rules for Turkish nationals, citing the need to align with EU requirements. Skopje has so far signalled no immediate plans to amend its citizenship framework, but analysts say rising application numbers could draw greater attention from Brussels.