Do and don't in Macedonia

Do...
- Be open minded
- Be friendly
- Be sensitive to economic differences
- Learn about the history of Macedonia
- Look at investment opportunity in Macedonia.
- Research the rules and regulation surrounding your specific business very carefully.
- Try to learn the language, people really appreciate the  effort even if (like me) your terrible at it.
- Obtain necessary documents from the UK police force to confirm you have no convictions or a criminal record so that you can apply for a Macedonian foreign id.  Or else your stay is limited to 3 months at a time.


Do not....

-  Trust everyone that offers you advice. ( Alot of "experts" on all subjects here. Good people just trying to help.)

-  Assume that your existing business can function here because it worked in the UK or broader EU.

- There are still some very odd regulations and requirements. Non doctors cannot invest in medically focussed businesses, there are also very specific requirements for businesses in construction etc etc. 
- Unless you have a degree level education you cannot own more than one company in Macedonia financial.  This is an example of some of the odd gotcha's that exist, there are others.
- Assume you can run a business here without actually being present or having someone to act as signatory here for you in your abscence. 
- Its actually illegal here for a notary to certify a document if your not in front of them. This last one can be very painful indeed if like me you like to spend time at home or travel on business and do not have someone you can basically give full control of your business to while your away. I have found to my cost that Macedonia is a Hague Convention country which governs legalisation related matters but in practise Macedonia is still some way from implementing this fully.