Where to Seek Help

UNHCR and its partner organizations provide refugees and asylum-seekers in North Macedonia with the following services:

  • Legal counselling and assistance during the asylum procedure
  • Legal counselling and assistance for access to rights and services for asylum-seekers and refugees
  • Assistance related to inclusion and integration

Contact with UNHCR in North Macedonia

As of 1st September 2025, North Macedonia is covered by the UNHCR Multi Country Office in Budapest, Hungary. Please note that UNHCR does not offer any appointments or individual counselling in North Macedonia, and we would advise you to visit our Where to seek help in North Macedonia  page for support.

You may contact UNHCR using the following details:

UNHCR Multi Country Office in Budapest, Hungary.

Free Legal Assistance

UNHCR’s partner Macedonian Young Lawyers Association (MYLA) is an independent, non-profit, professional organization which provides legal aid for protection of human rights. They provide free legal aid to all UNHCR’s persons of concern, including persons granted international protection (refugees and persons granted subsidiary protection), asylum-seekers (including persons considering applying), and stateless persons. Contact by phone (available 24/7, local rates, SMS, Viber, WhatsApp), email, or in person.

Victims of Human Trafficking or Sexual Abuse

Open Gate La Strada work on prevention and support for victims of trafficking and sexual violence. Their SOS helpline offers counselling and support. Their assistance is available to all UNHCR’s persons of concern, including persons granted international protection (refugees and persons granted subsidiary protection), asylum-seekers (including persons considering applying), and stateless persons. Contact by phone (available 24/7).

  • SOS helpline, national: 0800 11111 (free call)
  • SOS helpline, international: +389 2 2777 070
  • Website: https://lastrada.org.mk

Online Catalogue of Services

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) online service WebSafe helps persons forced to flee find relevant information and aid organizations in North Macedonia and other countries in the Western Balkans.

Website: https://websafe.app/mk/ 

Supervisory Government Agencies

Ombudsman

UNHCR partner, the Ombudsman is a special professional and independent body that protects the rights of citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia or any other person. The Ombudsman’s competence is to take actions and measures for the protection of the principle of non-discrimination and answer to concerns, among others, regarding the legality and conditions of detention.

Discrimination

The Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination monitors the implementation of the Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination. They have a complaint mechanism for cases of discrimination and are committed to responding to cases of discrimination against all UNHCR’s persons of concern, including persons granted international protection (refugees and persons granted subsidiary protection), asylum-seekers (including persons considering applying), and stateless persons.

In cases of sexual exploitation or abuse, fraud, or corruption involving UNHCR staff or other aid workers, see Complaints.

Government Agencies

Ministry of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth / Centre for Social Work

The Ministry of Social Policy, Demography, and Youth is the responsible authority for the welfare of the citizens of North Macedonia, including all UNHCR’s persons of concern: persons granted international protection (refugees and persons granted subsidiary protection), asylum-seekers (including persons considering applying), and stateless persons. The Ministry operates through several sectors whose mandate includes the accommodation and integration of asylum-seekers.         

Sector for Asylum, Migration and Humanitarian Aid

  • Phone: +389 2 3106 371
  • Website: https://mtsp.gov.mk (Macedonian and Albanian only)
  • Visiting address: Dame Gruev 14, 1000 Skopje

Intermunicipal Centre for Social Work in Skopje

Ministry of Interior / Sector for Asylum (SFA)

The Sector for Asylum (SFA) is a part of the Ministry of Interior and the competent body to conduct and implement the asylum-procedure in the first instance. SFA counsellors are occasionally present in the Reception Center for Asylum-Seekers and are there to clarify any issues regarding the asylum procedure.

  • Phone: +389 2 3334 176
  • Website: https://mvr.gov.mk (Macedonian and Albanian only)
  • Visiting address: Goce Delchev bb (MRTV Building, 8th floor), Skopje

Employment Service Agency

The Employment Agency of North Macedonia support the development of skills for better competitiveness in the labour market and manage the lead registry of persons seeking jobs. Their services are available to all persons granted international protection (refugees and persons granted subsidiary protection) and asylum-seekers filling certain criteria, see Asylum Procedure, Rights and Obligations.

Emergency Contacts

In case of immediate threat to life, property, or environment, call the emergency number. All services are accessible through the new emergency number 112. The numbers for police, fire brigade and ambulance remain in service.

  • Emergency number: 112
  • Police: 192
  • Fire Brigade: 193
  • Ambulance: 194

Responders might not speak English, in that case, please contact the UNHCR Helpline.

Related information