Care homes in North Macedonia

The main applicable laws are the Law on Social Protection and the Law on Institutions.

Yes. Providers of social services (including care home operators) must be a legal entity established in accordance with the law and registered in the Central Registry of North Macedonia.

Yes, a care home may only be established in the form of a public or private institution.

The public institutions can be established by the Government or a municipality unit, whereas the private institutions can be established by domestic or foreign, legal or natural entity

A public care home is governed by a Management Board consisting of three people, one appointed as President of the Management Board. The governing body of a private care home is determined by the shareholder, in accordance with the Statute of the Private Nursing Home. Both public and private care homes must be managed by an appointed director.

The internal control of a private care home is performed by a Supervisory Board consisting of three people, one appointed as the President of the Management Board. The internal control of a private care home is determined by the shareholder, in accordance with the Statute of the private care home.

While no concession is required for the opening of a care home, the following approvals are required:

• A permit for performing social protection works issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia; and
• Approval for establishment must be issued by the Government, based on a prior opinion by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of North Macedonia (as an exception, public care homes established by the Government are established only with a decision by the Government).

Besides the registration of the care home in the Central Registry of North Macedonia as a public or private institution, the care home should also be registered in the Institutions Registry held by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. 

Care homes are incorporated solely for the performance of specific social services as prescribed by relevant legislation and cannot expand or change its business activity without Government approval.

No, but in specific cases, e.g. when the financing of the care home is provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, certain restrictions may be imposed.

No.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy supervises the activities of care homes and can perform on-site inspections as part of the supervision process.

Additionally, the Institute for Social Activities also supervises care homes.

~2.083m (source: World Bank)

13.26% of inhabitants over the age of 65 years and increasing.

34 (source: World Bank)

1–2 years waiting lists

N/A