# North Macedonia — payment codes and schemes

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/MK
> extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

## Summary

- **KIBS/MIPS** instant payment system with QR support
- **HalkPay** QR Code system by Halk Bank (Turkish)
- **NLB Pay** QR payments from NLB Banka
- **24/7 instant payments** final phase implementation 2024
- **Komercijalna Banka** dominates with 21.11% market share

## Banking landscape

### Central Bank
- **Name:** National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia (NBRNM)
- **Website:** https://www.nbrm.mk/
- **Role:** Monetary policy, KIBS operator

### Major Banks (2024)

| Rank | Bank Name | Total Assets (EUR) | Market Share | Owner |
|------|-----------|-------------------|--------------|-------|
| 1 | Komercijalna Banka | 2,261 M | 21.11% | NLB Group (Slovenia) |
| 2 | Stopanska Banka | 1,854 M | 17.31% | NLB Group (Slovenia) |
| 3 | NLB Banka | 1,649 M | 15.39% | NLB Group (Slovenia) |
| 4 | Halk Bank | 1,011 M | 9.44% | Halkbank (Turkey) |
| 5 | Sparkasse Bank | 875 M | 8.17% | Erste Group (Austria) |

### Market Structure
- **NLB Dominance:** Slovenian NLB controls 54%+ via 3 banks
- **Turkish Presence:** Halk Bank significant player
- **13 Banks Licensed:** As of 2024
- **Concentrated:** Top 5 hold 71%+

### Recent Developments
- NLB acquired Komercijalna Banka (2020)
- Market consolidation continuing
- Digital banking investment growing
- EU candidate status driving modernization

---

## Payment infrastructure

### National Payment Systems

| System | Operator | Type | Status |
|--------|----------|------|--------|
| KIBS | NBRNM | Interbank clearing | Active |
| MIPS | NBRNM | Retail instant | Active |
| RTGS | NBRNM | Large value | Active |

### KIBS (Klirinski Interbankarski Sistem)
- Interbank clearing system
- Operated by NBRNM
- Batch and real-time modes
- QR code support

### MIPS (Macedonian Interbank Payment System)
- Retail instant payments
- 24/7/365 target (final phase 2024)
- QR code payments enabled
- Mobile integration

### Instant Payment Progress
- **Phase 1:** Business hours instant
- **Phase 2:** Extended hours
- **Final Phase:** 24/7/365 (2024)

---

## QR code standards

### HalkPay QR (Halk Bank)

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Operator** | Halk Bank AD Skopje |
| **Type** | Mobile QR payments |
| **App** | HalkPay |
| **Launch** | Active |

### HalkPay Features
1. Scan merchant QR code
2. Generate personal QR for P2P
3. Bill payments
4. Utility payments
5. Instant transfers

### NLB Pay QR

| Attribute | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Operator** | NLB Banka |
| **Type** | Mobile QR payments |
| **App** | NLB Pay |
| **Coverage** | NLB Group customers |

### NLB Pay Features
- QR code scanning at merchants
- P2P transfers
- Cross-border to Slovenia (NLB network)
- Mobile-first design

### MIPS QR Integration

| Feature | Details |
|---------|---------|
| **Standard** | NBRNM defined |
| **Format** | QR Code |
| **Use Cases** | POS, P2P, bills |
| **Banks** | All MIPS participants |

### QR Payment Landscape

| System | Operator | Coverage | Status |
|--------|----------|----------|--------|
| HalkPay | Halk Bank | HB customers | Active |
| NLB Pay | NLB Banka | NLB Group | Active |
| MIPS QR | NBRNM | All banks | Active |
| Bank apps | Various | Per bank | Developing |

---

## Mobile payment apps

| App Name | Bank | Instant | QR Payment | Notes |
|----------|------|---------|------------|-------|
| HalkPay | Halk Bank | Yes | Yes | Turkish tech |
| NLB Pay | NLB Banka | Yes | Yes | Regional app |
| Komercijalna | Komercijalna | Yes | Developing | NLB Group |
| Stopanska | Stopanska | Yes | Developing | NLB Group |
| Sparkasse | Sparkasse | Yes | Limited | Erste tech |

### HalkPay Innovation
- Turkish banking technology
- Strong QR implementation
- Growing merchant network
- Digital-first approach

### NLB Group Integration
- Unified mobile strategy
- Cross-border capabilities
- Regional NLB Pay app
- Slovenia technology transfer

---

## Schemes

| Scheme | Type | Symbology | Adoption | Technical standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [MIPS QR](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/MK/mips-qr) | National QR | QR Code | All banks | [`mips-qr`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/mips-qr) |
| [HalkPay](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/MK/halkpay) | Bank QR | QR Code | Active | [`halkpay`](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/standards/halkpay) |
| [NLB Pay](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/MK/nlb-pay) | Bank QR | QR Code | Active | — |

## Sources

- [National Bank of North Macedonia](https://www.nbrm.mk/)
- [NBRNM - Payment Systems](https://www.nbrm.mk/en/payment-systems.nspx)
- [Komercijalna Banka](https://www.kb.com.mk/)
- [NLB Banka](https://www.nlb.mk/)
- [Halk Bank AD Skopje](https://www.halkbank.mk/)
- [Stopanska Banka](https://www.stb.com.mk/)
- [Sparkasse Bank](https://www.sparkasse.mk/)
- [TheBanks.eu - North Macedonia](https://thebanks.eu/countries/North-Macedonia/major_banks)
- [NLB Group](https://www.nlb.si/)
- [Banking Association of Macedonia](https://www.mba.mk/)

## Full country report

[MK-north-macedonia.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/payments/MK)