Practical Guide to Electronic Archiving and Retention of Business Documentation in North Macedonia: New Legal Obligations Effective as of 1 June 2026

North Macedonia’s new Law on Archival Material and Archival Activity entered into force on 1 June 2026, introducing significant new obligations for companies regarding electronic archiving, digital document management and long-term preservation of electronic records. Compliance is not optional — the law sets specific requirements for storage, classification, retention, destruction and the appointment of responsible persons. This page is part of our practice in business and corporate law. For related questions about corporate compliance obligations, see our guide on managers in North Macedonia – 7 compliance risks.

The new Law on Archival Material and Archival Activity introduces significant obligations for companies and institutions, particularly in the area of electronic archiving, digital document management and long-term preservation systems for electronic records.

Under the new legal framework, electronic documentation and electronic archives gain substantially greater practical and legal importance. Holders of archival and documentary material are required to ensure that electronic documents are preserved in their original form, in a manner that guarantees the durability and integrity of electronic records.

At the same time, the Law provides that public electronic archival material must be stored at a minimum of two physically separate locations, one of which must serve as a disaster recovery location situated at least 100 kilometers away from the primary location.

Electronic Archiving as a Legal Compliance Obligation

The Law requires the establishment of an appropriate information system for office and archival operations, as well as internal procedures for handling electronic documents. Legal entities will need to establish an archival classification plan, a list of archival material and a list of documentary material with retention periods, as well as appoint a responsible person or organizational unit for archival operations.

Particularly important is the fact that documentary material may only be destroyed in accordance with a legally prescribed procedure and, in certain cases, with prior approval from the State Archives.

In practice, this means that companies should timely conduct a legal and organizational review of their document management systems, electronic archiving procedures and internal policies regarding the retention and protection of business records.

Timely compliance is especially important for companies handling a large volume of contracts, HR documentation, financial records, electronic correspondence and digital business processes.

Practical Steps Before and After 1 June 2026

Companies should carry out a legal and organizational assessment of their archiving and document management systems. In practice, this most commonly includes:

• Preparation of internal acts and procedures for document handling and electronic archiving;
• Establishment of archival classification plans and retention period lists;
• Appointment of a responsible person or organizational unit for archival operations;
• Implementation of policies for electronic retention and destruction of documentation.

Timely compliance is particularly important for companies working with a significant number of contracts, electronic documents, HR documentation, financial records and business correspondence.

Practical Checklist

For companies preparing for compliance with the new Archiving Law (in force from 1 June 2026): (1) Audit your current document management system — identify all categories of documents held (contracts, HR, financial, electronic correspondence) and map current retention practices against the new legal requirements. (2) Prepare internal acts and archiving procedures — draft or update internal policies for document handling, electronic archiving and retention. These must comply with the new Law. (3) Establish an archival classification plan — create a classification plan covering all archival material and a list of documentary material with defined retention periods. (4) Appoint a responsible person — designate a responsible person or organizational unit for archival operations. This is a mandatory requirement under the Law. (5) Verify storage compliance — for public electronic archival material, confirm that storage meets the two-location requirement, with the disaster recovery site at least 100 km from the primary location. (6) Establish a destruction procedure — document destruction may only occur under a legally prescribed procedure. In certain cases, prior approval from the State Archives is required. Do not destroy documentation without verifying the applicable procedure. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Law start to apply?

The Law on Archival Material and Archival Activity starts to apply as of 1 June 2026.

Must electronic documents be retained in their original form?

Yes. The Law provides that electronic archival and documentary material must be preserved in the original form in which it was created.

Is the company required to establish an electronic archiving procedure? 

Yes. The Law requires the establishment of an appropriate information system for office and archival operations, as well as internal procedures for handling electronic documents.

Is destruction of old documentation permitted?

Only in accordance with a legally prescribed procedure and, in certain cases, with prior approval from the State Archives. Documentary material may not be destroyed arbitrarily — the procedure must be followed even when retention periods have expired.

Who must appoint a responsible person for archival operations?

All legal entities subject to the Law must appoint a responsible person or designate an organizational unit responsible for archival operations. This is a mandatory requirement, not an optional best practice.

What types of companies are most affected by the new Law?

Companies handling a large volume of contracts, HR documentation, financial records, electronic correspondence and digital business processes face the highest compliance burden. However, the Law applies broadly — all companies that hold archival or documentary material are covered.

Need legal guidance?

If you need assistance with electronic archiving compliance under the new Law, the team at Lalicic & Partners is at your disposal. Contact us through our website.

Last updated: July 2026

Note: The above does not constitute legal advice and in no way can be accepted or understood as an instruction to act in a specific case. Each legal situation has its own characteristics that should be reviewed at separately, and for that reason we recommend that you contact a professional – a lawyer – for legal advice.