INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLING SUPPORT TO MACEDONIA

For supporters travelling to the game on Thursday, please keep an eye on this page. If we get any more information from the authorities when we are in Macedonia we will update this story.

The National Arena Philip II of Macedonia is situated on the banks of the River Vardar and is approximately a 15-20 minute walk from the centre of town. The Aberdeen support will be accommodated in Blocks 29-30. This is in the west area of the ground. The home support will be located in the East area of the stadium, blocks 9-12.

Ticket Collection

Tickets must be collected, in person, by each supporter on production of their passport and voucher at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Mosa Pijadfe Str. 2, Skopje 1000.  One person cannot pick up for entire groups.  AFC Club Staff will be available between 12p.m. – 4p.m. on Thursday 2 July 2015.  Any supporters unable to be at the Hotel between these times will have to attend after 4p.m. but no later than 7p.m. and ask reception to contact the AFC Staff in the area.  Please be patient whilst the staff attend.  Details of the designated AFC person will be left with reception.

Aberdeen FC supporters will be segregated from the home supporters within the stadium.

The local Police are requesting that the Aberdeen Support congregate in the central Square in Skopje and they will be escorted to the stadium on foot by the Police. Alcohol is prohibited inside the stadium as are any pyrotechnic devices, bottles, metal objects, or missiles.

The consumption of alcohol is not permitted in the street.  This will include walking to the stadium from the Central Square. 

Please be aware the Police have the power to breathalyse any supporters on entry to the ground if they appear to be under the influence of alcohol. The limit is around our drink driving limit.

 There will be two check points for entry to the stadium made by a private security agency.

All tickets will be checked electronically and manually.

Only National and clubs flags will be allowed into the stadium.

At the end of the game, Aberdeen FC supporters will be held back until the home supporters have left the stadium.

Loss of Passport Issues – Emergency Travel Document application will be dealt with in Sofia and the travel document sent to Skopje by courier. This means that if, for example, someone finds out that their passport is missing on the Friday after the game, they will not be able to travel back to the UK before Wednesday on the following week. The fee for issuing an Emergency travel Document is £95 and the courier fee (DHL) between Sofia and Skopje is £30 in each direction.

General information:

DO: Report your stay to the nearest police station within 24 hours of your arrival. If you are staying at a hotel, the reception staff should do this on your behalf.

DO: Ensure you have adequate insurance that covers medical treatment, hospitalisation and medical evacuation to the UK as the country remains outside the EU.  Your EHIC Card is valid under an agreement with British Nationals.  However, all medical treatment will involve some level of cost. The Embassy cannot provide financial assistance for medical purposes.

DO: Ensure your travel insurance covers you for unexpected losses or expenses (e.g. cancelled flights, lost luggage, passports, cash or credit cards). Again the Embassy is not in a position to provide financial assistance for these matters.

DO: Keep your passport, money, tickets and valuables in a safe place.
(If you lose or misplace your passport you will need to pay a fee to obtain an Emergency Travel Document to return home and an additional fee for a new passport when you get back to the UK as the lost or stolen passport will be automatically cancelled).

DO: Take a photocopy of your passport, keep it separate from your original and store safely. Carry identification with you at all times as you may be asked by police or officials to produce it.  A copy of your passport or any other photo ID should be enough.

DO: Obey Macedonian Police instructions and avoid physical contact of any type.

DO: Respect local customs and regulations.

DO: Ask permission before taking pictures of the locals.

DO: Bring enough money with you for your stay and your return journey. Money can be changed locally and most businesses will take debit cards.

DO: Stay safe – large crowds gathering in the main square for example, are favoured hunting grounds for petty criminals so take good care of your valuables and cash.

DO: Get to the stadium early.  Be patient. Access into the stadium may be slow.
Be aware there will be police and security searches as well as ticket checks.

DO: Keep hydrated and prepare yourself for the anticipated high temperatures.

DO NOT: Remove, burn or in any way touch the national flag of Macedonia.  If you do, you risk a very high fine and a deportation order.

DO NOT: Climb monuments, enter fountains or in any other way engage in activities which may be viewed as offensive to the locals or their cultural heritage. Engaging in these activities may result in your arrest or detention.

DO NOT: Take photos of or near military or government installations.

DO NOT: Take pictures of local people if they are unwilling.

DO NOT: Get involved with drugs. (Penalties for drug trafficking, smuggling and possession are severe)

DO NOT: Over indulge – those excessively drunk will not gain access to the stadium.

DO NOT: Engage in racist, sectarian or political behaviours.

DO NOT: Bring flares, fireworks, alcohol, cans, glass, bottle tops, plastic bottles or containers, coins, lighters to the stadium. (Soft drinks and water will be available to purchase inside the stadium)

Some useful information
Skopje is a fairly modern city with a population of close to a million, with plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and nightclubs along the River Vardar and near the city’s main square. The central area is quite small and most places can be reached on foot or by taxi. Make sure you use licensed taxis. One way to check if they are legal is to ask them to issue you with a ‘’fiscal receipt’’ (fiskalna smetka).  Ask for this before you start the journey. Starting rate is 40 or 50den for the first two kilometres. After that you pay an additional 20 or 25 den/km. The rates are the same at night. Waiting is charged at 300den/hour. Many taxi operators speak English.  Embassy staff prefers the following five companies (please use the prefix 00 389 2 if you are calling from a UK mobile).

Plava Laguna: call 15192
Nashe Taxi: call 15152
Lotus Taxi: call 15157
Bel Mercedes: call 15183
Elite: call 15199…/

Money
The local currency in Macedonia is the denar (MKD). Banknotes come in denominations of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000. There are also coins of one, two, five, ten and fifty denars. The denar cannot be converted outside Macedonia so only change what you think you will need on arrival.  Only Euros and Dollars are accepted for a currency change to Denars. Many larger shops, hotels and restaurants will accept payment in euros. There are exchange offices and ATMs (which will charge a commission rate) within the town centre.

Crime and Safety
Skopje is generally a safe city, but visitors should still be cautious when carrying valuables and withdrawing money. There have been several reported cases of foreigners being pick-pocketed by children or having bags snatched in the main shopping centre and surrounding area, especially late at night.

Electricity and telecommunication
The outlet is 220V. Macedonia’s international telephone code is 00 389 and the area code for Skopje is 2. There are three mobile operators in the country with 07 prefixes which offer a vast price range of pre-paid sim-cards for use during your stay. Please switch off data roaming when in Macedonia to avoid additional charges.

Supporters with disabilities
Macedonian law only requires that new buildings be made accessible to people with disabilities. However, most public and some new buildings remain inaccessible. Public transportation for supporters with disabilities is also very limited.

Religious etiqeutte
When visiting a church, please do not wear mini-skirts or shorts.  Same rules apply if you intend visiting a mosque where shoes must be left at the entrance.

Tap water
Tap water is chlorinated and drinkable. If you prefer bottled water it’s easy to find in local shops.

Medical Care
There are plenty of pharmacies available throughout Skopje, but it is wise to note that medical care is not provided at the same level as that available in the UK.  There is a reciprocal healthcare agreement for British nationals, which entitles you to free emergency treatment in Macedonia. However, please expect to have to pay something regardless. Hepatitus A injections are recommended.  Please check with your Doctor.

Useful Contacts and Links:
Read travel advice for Macedonia at: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/macedonia

British Embassy in Skopje:
Todor Aleksandrov 165
Skopje 1000
Tel: 00389 2 3299 299
Email: consular.skopje@fco.gov.uk
Office hours (local time) Monday to Thursday 8am to 4.30pm & Friday 8am to 1pm

British Council
Tel: 00389 2 3135 035

Police: 92
Fire brigade: 93
Ambulance: 94
Roadside Assistance: 987

Restaurants:   www.restaurants.com.mk