Which Months in 2026 Are Most Cost-Effective for Vacation in Russia, and Which Lead to Income Loss? An Analysis of Working Days, Holidays, and Recommendations for the Working Population.
Russian experts warn that the most cost-effective months for vacation in 2026 are July, April, September, October, and December, as these months have the highest number of working days. Conversely, January, February, and May are deemed the least advantageous. The timing of one's vacation directly affects the amount of holiday pay received, making it essential for employees to consider both their personal plans and the official work calendar. Let us explore why some months facilitate a higher financial return while others can result in monetary losses.
Why Some Months Are More Advantageous for Taking Vacation Than Others
The financial benefit of vacation is largely determined by the number of working days in a given month. Holiday pay in Russia is calculated based on the employee’s average earnings over the last 12 months. In simpler terms, an employee with a fixed salary does not receive their current monthly wage during their vacation; instead, they receive their average daily earnings multiplied by the days of vacation taken. If a month is shorter due to holidays, the average daily wage upon which holiday pay is calculated is generally lower than the actual daily earnings during that month. Consequently, an employee might receive less money during their time off compared to if they had worked.
Conversely, in months with a higher number of working days, the difference between the average payment and the regular salary is minimal. Taking vacation in a "long" month essentially has no significant impact on the employee's total income. For this reason, when planning vacations from a financial perspective, months with the maximum number of working days are preferred, while holidays in "festive" months are perceived as financially disadvantageous.
The Most Beneficial Months for Vacation in 2026
From a financial standpoint, it is optimal to take vacation during months with the highest number of working days. In 2026, several months stand out in this regard:
- July — 23 working days (the highest figure of the year).
- April — 22 working days.
- September — 22 working days.
- October — 22 working days.
- December — 22 working days.
Taking vacation during these months will yield the highest holiday pay without diminishing the employee’s usual income level. For instance, July, as the longest working month, ensures the largest sum of holiday pay. The remaining months with 22 working days (April, September, October, December) only slightly trail behind July in terms of financial benefit. Experts advise planning time off during these periods whenever possible to maximise holiday compensation.
The Least Beneficial Months for Vacation
The opposite situation occurs in months with the fewest working days. In 2026, the most "short" months in terms of work will be:
- January — 15 working days (extended New Year holidays reduce the number of working days).
- February — 19 working days (accounting for the holiday on 23 February).
- May — 19 working days (May holidays at the beginning and middle of the month).
Due to the abundance of non-working holidays, taking time off during the months listed above is viewed as financially disadvantageous. The losses are especially pronounced in January, where the New Year celebrations account for almost half the month. If someone takes vacation immediately after the New Year break, their total income for January (including holiday pay) may drop to one-third of the usual monthly salary. A similar situation arises in May: two weeks of vacation during the May holidays will lead to a noticeable reduction in payments. According to specialists, a vacation lasting around 14 days in a "festive" month (such as January or May) can result in a 10-15% reduction in overall income compared to a regular month.
February incurs slightly less financial loss than January and May but is still regarded as an unprofitable vacation month. As a result, it is more advantageous to work the full duration of days during these periods to receive full salary, and to postpone any vacation to another time.
Other Months: Vacation Without Significant Losses
Beyond the extremes mentioned, the remaining months of the year can be considered neutral from a financial perspective. In these months, the number of working days ranges from 20 to 21, and taking vacation will not have a significant impact on your income. For example, March, June, August, and November in 2026 each consist of approximately 20-21 working days—taking vacation during this period allows for rest without notable salary losses. If work schedules or life circumstances dictate taking vacation at one of these times, there is little need for concern regarding serious income reductions.
How to Extend Vacation Using Holidays
Financial benefit is not the only criterion when selecting vacation timing. Many individuals aim to utilise holidays and official days off to secure a longer vacation. Indeed, with careful planning, it is possible to significantly extend the duration of time off while using fewer days from the annual paid leave.
- February: 23 February 2026 falls on a Monday, creating three consecutive days off (21-23 February).
- March: 8 March falls on a Sunday, with the holiday transferred to Monday 9 March—resulting in another long weekend of three days.
- May: Holidays are split into two blocks—1-3 May and 9-11 May (Victory Day on 9 May falls on a Saturday so the day off is moved to Monday 11 May). Taking leave on working days between these blocks or immediately afterwards can yield up to 10 days of continuous rest.
- June: Russia Day on 12 June (Friday) automatically affords a long weekend from 12-14 June.
- November: Unity Day on 4 November falls on a Wednesday, so no long weekend is created. However, by adding 2-3 vacation days before or after this date, one can arrange a brief autumn break.
Recommendations for Vacation Planning
When selecting the timing of annual leave, it is crucial to balance the duration of time off with financial gain. Below are some tips to help plan your vacation optimally:
- Define your priorities. First, determine what is more important to you—preserving the maximum possible income or extending your time off. This will influence your choice of months and days for vacation.
- Choose the month wisely. If financial benefit is your priority, plan your vacation for months with 22-23 working days (e.g., July, April, October). This will enable you to receive almost the full amount of holiday pay. However, if you prefer a longer rest, consider taking vacation during months with festive periods (January, May), bearing in mind that the amount of holiday pay may be slightly lower than usual.
- Consider additional factors. Alongside the calendar, assess other circumstances: seasonal work patterns, colleague plans, and travel costs. Sometimes, it may be advantageous to shift vacation to a less popular month to save on travel expenses or choose a period during which work is quieter.
Ultimately, effective vacation planning allows for both quality relaxation and the avoidance of unnecessary financial losses. By striking a balance between the duration of rest and monetary compensation, you will maximise the benefits of your annual leave.
