Macedonia sets 30‑year age limit for student dorms, imposes up to 5‑year bans

The Macedonian Parliament is amending the Student Standard Law to raise safety and curb abuse in student dormitories. The changes cap the age of applicants at 30 years, with the Education Minister Vesna Janevska stating, “We limit the age of students who can be accommodated in student dorms to 30 years.” A new penalty provision bans students who breach house rules, damage property, or engage in violent or discriminatory behaviour from dorm residence for one to five years.

Funding of €86 million – sourced from the EU, the Ministry of Education, and the German Development Bank – will be used to renovate nine state‑run dormitories and seven resource centres, and to complete a full reconstruction of the “Stiv Naumov” and “Kuzman Josifovski‑Pitu” facilities by October. Alongside the housing reforms, the government plans to introduce new scholarships, expand subsidised meals and issue vouchers to retain students and curb emigration.

The reforms aim to improve living conditions, enhance security, and modernise the student‑housing infrastructure across the country.