Is Cocaine legal in North Macedonia?

Legal status

Controlled under the Criminal Code (Arts 215/216/217) — unauthorised production/release for trade (Art 215) 3–10 years; lesser-quantity paragraph (Sept 2009) 6 months–3 years; 'small'/'large' quantity NOT defined in the Code (non-statutory prosecutorial cut-offs; [reported] ~2 g cocaine/2 g heroin); NO separate personal-possession offence; no death penalty (Council of Europe)

Consequences if caught

Cocaine is controlled in North Macedonia under the Criminal Code (Arts 215/216/217). In North Macedonia (Council of Europe member; no death penalty), drug offences fall under the Criminal Code (Chapter 21), principally Art 215 — unauthorised production and release for trade of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors — which carries 3–10 years; a lesser-quantity paragraph added in September 2009 carries 6 months–3 years. Art 216 covers facilitating or enabling the use of drugs, and Art 217 covers causing severe bodily injury or health damage through the Art 215/216 offences. 'Small' versus 'large' quantity is NOT defined in the Code — the Public Prosecutor's internal guidelines set non-statutory cut-offs; reported working thresholds are around 2 g of cocaine, 2 g of heroin and 5 g of cannabis, above which intent to sell is presumed (reported prosecutorial practice, NOT statutory). There is NO separate personal-possession offence in the Code — personal use is often charged under Art 215, so even minimal quantities carry 3–10-year exposure, and leniency depends on prosecutorial discretion rather than a statutory carve-out.

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.

Documentation

In North Macedonia (Council of Europe member; no death penalty), drug offences fall under the Criminal Code (Chapter 21), principally Art 215 — unauthorised production and release for trade of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors — which carries 3–10 years; a lesser-quantity paragraph added in September 2009 carries 6 months–3 years. Art 216 covers facilitating or enabling the use of drugs, and Art 217 covers causing severe bodily injury or health damage through the Art 215/216 offences. 'Small' versus 'large' quantity is NOT defined in the Code — the Public Prosecutor's internal guidelines set non-statutory cut-offs; reported working thresholds are around 2 g of cocaine, 2 g of heroin and 5 g of cannabis, above which intent to sell is presumed (reported prosecutorial practice, NOT statutory). There is NO separate personal-possession offence in the Code — personal use is often charged under Art 215, so even minimal quantities carry 3–10-year exposure, and leniency depends on prosecutorial discretion rather than a statutory carve-out. Cannabis is controlled under the same Art 215 framework, with no fixed statutory cannabis quantity. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with North Macedonia’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.