[REVISION HISTORY]

North Macedonia tourism and real estate boom

Updated 9 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-10 09:24 UTC → 2026-08-23 21:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The tourism and real-estate boom that accelerated in mid-2026 has shown significant expansion across both sectors. In the tourism industry, the first five months of the year saw a 23.6% increase in foreign tourists and an 18.7% rise in overnight stays compared to the previous year. This trend is bolstered by a 40% annual increase in arriving passengers, as noted in a World Bank report. To sustain this momentum, the VMRO-DPMNE-led government is prioritizing infrastructure projects, including the Skopje–Thessaloniki high-speed railway, road upgrades, and the addition of 21 new destinations via Skopje and Ohrid airports. Strategic focus is also being placed on rural, cultural, and gastronomic tourism through simplified investment procedures and development programs. Parallel to tourism growth, the real estate market reached record levels in the second quarter of 2026. The total financial value of the market rose by 27.3% from the first quarter to reach 351.7 million euros. In Skopje’s Center, the highest price for a new apartment sold by an investor reached 206,640 denars (€3,360) per square metre, while Ohrid recorded a top price of 197,408 denars (€3,200) per square metre for used apartments. The Register of Prices and Rents logged 8,369 transactions between April and June, a 7.9% increase over Q1. Furthermore, the Cadastre Agency recorded 28,352 pre-registration sheets for construction projects, indicating a substantial pipeline of upcoming developments. By July 2026, airport activity reached new heights. Ohrid Airport handled 52,544 passengers in July, a 41.2% increase over the previous year, while Skopje International Airport served 408,925 passengers, up 29.5%. Combined, the airports processed approximately 2.42 million passengers from January through July, a 28.4% annual rise. Officials attribute this to a “smart subsidy policy” designed to attract new routes. Consequently, Macedonian airports are projected to reach four million passengers by the end of the year.

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