Registering a company in North Macedonia is among the fastest in the region, but a fast registration does not mean a properly set up business. Choosing the legal form, the content of the founding act and the regulation of relations between the founders are decisions whose consequences are felt for years afterwards.
DOOEL or DOO: which one to choose?
The most common forms are the DOOEL (a single-member limited liability company) and the DOO (with two or more founders). In both, the founders are not liable with their personal assets for the obligations of the company: liability is limited to the contribution made. For larger ventures with many investors, there is also the joint-stock company (AD).
When there are several founders, the key document is the company agreement between the partners: who decides on what, how profits are distributed, what happens if someone wants to leave. These questions are cheapest to resolve at the outset, while everyone is still in agreement.
How does the procedure work?
- Checking and reserving the company name
- Preparing the founding act and the required statements
- Registration in the Central Registry through the one-stop-shop system, usually within a few working days
- Opening a business bank account
- Tax registrations and, where needed, separate licences for the activity
Foreign founders: what is different?
Foreign individuals and legal entities may establish a company in North Macedonia under the same conditions as domestic ones, with no restrictions on ownership. The differences are practical: documents from the home country must be properly certified and translated, and the founders and managers need appropriate permits for residence and work.
The good news: with a properly organized procedure and a power of attorney, the company can be registered without the physical presence of the founder. That is exactly why we created the Lex Global package: full support for entering the Macedonian market, from company formation and bank accounts to residence and work permits and tax structuring in cooperation with economic experts.
The most common mistakes we see in practice
- A founding act copied from a template that does not reflect the real agreement between the partners
- Unresolved rights over the brand and the software created before the company was formed
- A wrongly chosen principal activity that later creates regulatory problems
- Contracts with the first clients and employees signed without legal review
Planning a business in North Macedonia?
Whether you are a domestic entrepreneur or a foreign investor, set up the business correctly from day one. The first consultation carries no obligation.
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This text is general legal information and does not constitute legal advice for a specific case. For advice tailored to your situation, consult an attorney.