Government proposes reducing required experience for architects and engineers from two to one year
Bill submitted on 9 November 2026 would lower required experience for certain permitting staff and add new rules for energy projects, protected sites and road works.
The Government of North Macedonia submitted a bill to the Assembly on 9 November 2026 that reduces the required professional experience for certain architects and civil engineers involved in permitting procedures from two years to one year.
Key changes affect permitting staff, energy projects and protected sites
Under the draft amendments, diploma-holding architects and civil engineers who work in competent institutions and take part in issuing building permits for first-category structures will be allowed to sign off on basic project designs after at least one year of relevant work experience instead of the current two years. Specifically, the text replaces the words "two years" with "one year" in the relevant provision.
The reform is targeted at simplifying and speeding up building-permit procedures, while the conditions for obtaining professional engineering authorizations remain unchanged.
The proposal also introduces new rules for constructing solar parks, power plants, district heating facilities and electrical energy storage sites. To obtain a building permit for such energy facilities, project developers will need a notification from the Ministry of Energy confirming that the project is included in the current annual plan for construction of energy objects.
For larger energy and infrastructure projects, the bill allows completed parts of a facility that can operate independently to receive a separate permit for use, meaning a portion of a power plant could begin operation while remaining works continue.
Additional changes cover works at archaeological sites, cultural monuments and other protected assets. When the State, municipalities or public enterprises place fences, canopies or pedestrian paths within a monument or monument complex lacking an urban plan, procedures will be carried out under the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage. A similar approach is foreseen for reconstructions and adaptations of protected objects— including religious buildings and archaeological sites—when the investor is a state or municipal institution.
The Ministry of Interior will be entitled to inspect project documentation for state and municipal roads to help prevent damage to underground infrastructure. Procedures for reservoirs with accumulations, construction in industrial zones and the registration of additional works carried out during reconstruction of state and public buildings in the Cadastre are also regulated; the registration procedure must be completed within 90 days from the law's entry into force.
The draft law consists of 13 articles. The Government states that no additional funds from the state budget will be required for implementation. If adopted by the Assembly, the amendments are to enter into force upon publication in the Official Gazette. The Government proposed the bill be adopted by a shortened legislative procedure.
Photo: press material from the event
