According to Russia's Labor Code, an employee can terminate an employment contract by providing written notice of at least 2 weeks to the employer. A seasonal employee must provide 3 days notice to the employer if they terminate their employment before the end of the season. An employer of seasonal employees must provide 7 days written notice to the employee if they terminate an employee before the end of the season. Employers and employees may mutually agree to terminate an employment contract before the expiration of the notice period. Notice periods are generally stipulated in individual employment contracts or collective agreements. An employer must give 2 months' notice to employees if the organization is being dissolved. Employers are not required to provide notice if an employee is terminated for cause.
Foreign nationals over 18 years of age who wish to work in Russia must obtain a work permit. The employer is responsible for applying to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to obtain this permit. The following information and documents are typically required:
The work permit is issued for 1 year and is renewable.
In Russia, employees are entitled to an annual paid leave of at least 28 calendar days. During the first year of service, the employee acquires the right to go on leave after 6 months of continuous service with the organization.
Before the expiration of the 6-month period of continuous service, the paid leave must be granted upon application to the following categories of persons:
The employee should be informed of the time of the leave no later than 2 weeks before its start. Unused leave is eligible for rollover into the following year. Employers can recall employees back to work with their consent, unless the employee is a minor, pregnant woman, or employed in dangerous or hazardous work. However, in some cases, employees engaged in dangerous or hazardous activities may be recalled to prevent or mitigate the consequences of a catastrophe, industrial accident, or natural disaster.
Non-working holidays during the leave period are not included in the number of calendar days and are not paid. Additional annual paid leave must be granted to employees involved in work with harmful and dangerous conditions and employees working in the Far North regions. However, Russia's Labor Code does not specify how much additional leave must be granted.
Russia's Labor Code states that the standard duration of working time cannot exceed 40 hours in a week. The employer is responsible for keeping a record of the actual working time of each employee. Employees who work longer than 40 hours per week are eligible for overtime. The law establishes reduced working hours as follows:
The length of working time on days preceding non-working holidays is reduced by 1 hour.
Russia's Labor Code grants a total of 140 days of paid maternity leave to pregnant women: 70 days before the delivery and 70 days after the delivery. In the case of multiple births, the leave is extended to 84 days before delivery. In the case of abnormal birth, it is extended to 86 days after delivery. Finally, in the case of the birth of 2 or more children, it is extended to 110 days after delivery. The employee is entitled to receive 100% of their earnings (up to a statutory maximum) during maternity leave, paid by the Social Security Fund of the Russian Federation.
The amounts paid for the standard 140 days of maternity leave are a minimum of RUB 124,702.20 and a maximum of RUB 955,835.61 for 2026. This amount varies depending on the number of days the maternity leave lasts. Russia provides a one-time benefit for the birth of a child. It is provided to 1 of the working parents, and when 2 or more children are born, the benefit is paid per child. As of 2026, the amount is RUB 28,773 per child.
Pregnant employees may not be employed in overtime or night work. They may also not work on weekends or public holidays. Finally, they may not travel for business. The law also prohibits the dismissal of pregnant employees unless the organization is being liquidated.
The minimum wage in Russia is calculated every month and cannot be less than the subsistence level for working citizens. According to Art 129 of the Labor Code, the following payments and bonuses are not included in the minimum wage:
The minimum wage is subject to annual indexation, taking into account the inflation rate. As of January 1, 2026, the Federal Minimum Wage is set at RUB 27,093 (Russian rubles) per month.
Salaries are paid at least every half month. The specific date for payment of wages is established by internal labor regulations, a collective agreement or an employment contract no later than 15 calendar days from the end of the period for which it was accrued.
Get the full Country Snapshot with 25 sections of information about labor law in Bahrain.
Your request has been received. We'll be emailing you the country snapshot shortly.
Get the full Country Snapshot with 25 sections of information about labor law in Russia.
Your request has been received. We'll be emailing you the country snapshot shortly.
