Which Months in 2026 are Most Beneficial for Vacationing in Russia from a Financial Perspective, and Which Lead to Income Losses? An Analysis Based on Workdays, Holidays, and Recommendations for the Working Population.
Russian experts warn that the most advantageous months for vacation in 2026 will be July, April, September, October, and December, as these months have the highest number of workdays. Conversely, the least favorable months are January, February, and May. The choice of vacation timing directly affects the amount of vacation pay, making it essential for working individuals to consider not just personal plans but also the labor calendar. Let’s explore why some months allow for more vacation funds, while others can lead to financial losses.
Why Some Months are More Favorable for Vacation than Others
The financial benefit of vacation is largely determined by the number of workdays within the selected month. Vacation pay in Russia is calculated based on the employee's average earnings over the past 12 months. In essence, an employee with a fixed salary does not receive their current monthly pay during vacation but rather their average daily earnings multiplied by the days off. If the month is short (with fewer workdays due to holidays), the average daily earnings used to calculate vacation pay are usually lower than the actual income for a regular workday in that month. As a result, employees may receive less during their days off than if they had worked.
Conversely, months with a greater number of workdays see a minimal difference between the average payment and regular salary. Taking vacation during a "long" month generally does not decrease the employee's total income significantly. This is why, from a financial perspective, months with the maximum number of workdays are favored for vacation, while vacations taken during "holiday" months are seen as financially disadvantageous.
The Most Beneficial Vacation Months in 2026
From a financial standpoint, it is optimal to take vacation in months with the greatest number of workdays. In 2026, there are several record-holder months in this regard:
- July — 23 workdays (the highest in the year).
- April — 22 workdays.
- September — 22 workdays.
- October — 22 workdays.
- December — 22 workdays.
Planning vacations in these months will allow for maximum vacation pay without reducing one's usual income level. For instance, July, being the "longest" work month, guarantees the highest amount of vacation pay. The other months with 22 workdays (April, September, October, December) are only slightly less advantageous than July. Experts recommend, whenever possible, to plan vacations during these periods to maximize financial compensation for time off.
The Least Beneficial Vacation Months
A contrasting situation occurs in months with the fewest workdays. In 2026, the "shortest" months in terms of work will be:
- January — 15 workdays (extensive New Year holidays reduce the number of workdays).
- February — 19 workdays (including the holiday on February 23).
- May — 19 workdays (with public holidays at the beginning and middle of the month).
Due to a significant number of non-working public holidays, vacations taken during these times are considered financially disadvantageous. The financial losses are particularly pronounced in January, as the New Year holidays "consume" nearly half of the month. If a vacation is taken immediately after the New Year holiday, total income for January (including vacation pay) may shrink to one-third of the usual monthly salary. A similar situation occurs in May: taking two weeks off during the May holidays can lead to a notable decrease in payments. Specialists estimate that a vacation lasting around 14 days in a "holiday" month (such as January or May) reduces an employee's total income by 10–15% compared to a regular month.
February brings slightly fewer losses than January and May, but it is still categorized as an unfavorable month for vacation. Therefore, during the specified periods, it is financially wiser to work all days and receive a full salary, postponing vacations for another time.
The Other Months: Vacations Without Significant Losses
Aside from the aforementioned extremes, the remaining months of the year can be considered neutral in financial terms. During these months, the number of workdays fluctuates between 20-21, and taking time off will not significantly affect income. For example, March, June, August, and November in 2026 each have around 20-21 workdays—vacation taken during this time allows for rest without noticeable salary losses. If work schedules or personal circumstances dictate taking a vacation in one of these months, there is little concern about substantial income reduction.
How to Extend Vacations Using Public Holidays
Financial gain is not the only criterion for selecting the timing of vacations. Many aim to leverage holidays and official days off to enjoy a longer break. Indeed, with proper planning, one can significantly extend the duration of their vacation while using fewer days from their annual paid leave.
- February: February 23, 2026, falls on a Monday, creating three consecutive non-working days (February 21-23).
- March: March 8 falls on a Sunday, and the day off is moved to Monday, March 9—producing yet another long weekend of three days.
- May: Holidays are split into two blocks—May 1-3 and May 9-11 (Victory Day on May 9 falls on a Saturday, so the day off is moved to Monday, May 11). Taking vacation on the workdays between these blocks or just after them allows for up to 10 consecutive days off.
- June: Russia Day on June 12 (Friday) automatically provides a long weekend from June 12-14.
- November: Unity Day on November 4 falls on a Wednesday, thus not resulting in a long weekend. However, if you add 2-3 days of vacation before or after this date, you can create a short autumn break.
Recommendations for Vacation Planning
When choosing the timing of their annual vacation, it is crucial to balance between the length of the break and financial benefits. Here are a few tips to help plan vacations optimally:
- Identify your priorities. First, determine what is more important to you—preserving maximum possible income or extending the duration of your vacation. This will influence your choice of months and days for taking time off.
- Choose your month intentionally. If financial gain is a priority, plan vacation in months with 22-23 workdays (e.g., July, April, October). This will help secure vacation pay close to the full amount. If you prefer a longer break, consider taking vacation in a month with holiday periods (January, May), while being aware that vacation pay will be somewhat lower than normal.
- Account for additional factors. Apart from the calendar, pay attention to other circumstances: workload seasonality, colleagues' plans, and travel costs. Sometimes, it makes sense to shift your vacation to a less popular month to save on trips or to choose a period when there’s less work activity.
Ultimately, proper vacation planning facilitates quality rest while avoiding unnecessary financial losses. By balancing the duration of your time off and monetary compensation, you can derive maximum benefit from your annual vacation.
