PAS Messenger
New rules for the calculation of average earnings
08.07.2025
The Government of the Russian Federation has approved Decree No. 540 dated 24.04.2025, which makes small adjustments to the way in which average earnings are calculated. The decree will come into force on 1 September 2025 and remain in effect until 1 September 2031.
The decree introduces special rules regarding severance pay: average earnings will be provided for the average number of working days in a month (or, where working time is measured on a cumulative basis, the average number of hours in a month).
In addition, the list of payments taken into account in calculating average earnings has been extended to include cash incentives.
It should be pointed out that a number of major amendments were proposed during the discussion stage of the draft decree, including changes relating to the calculation of vacation pay, but these were not included in the final version.
We would be happy to assist in reviewing calculation approaches to ensure compliance with the new rules from 1 September 2025.
Authors
Ekaterina Ukhova
B1 Partner
People Advisory Services (PAS) Leader. 25+ years of consulting experience focusing on complex employer and employee issues
Contact
Lyudmila Sapronova
B1 Director
People Advisory Services, Tax, Law and Business Support
Contact
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
View all
New minimum salary requirement for HQS: what employers need to know
On 26 July 2026, the Russian President signed a law that nearly triples the minimum salary requirement for foreigners seeking highly qualified specialist (HQS) status, from RUB 750,000 per quarter to RUB 717,000 per month. The law also introduces a new condition for maintaining this status – annual indexation of HQS salaries. Although the business community called for the threshold to be lowered, the HQS salary requirement has not been revised downward. However, the enactment of the new requirement has been postponed from September 2026 to March 2027. In this publication, we address five of the most common questions arising from the changes.
10.08.2026
Deposits held by foreign nationals in Russia from 1 June 2026 onwards: Bank of Russia’s official clarification
The Bank of Russia has issued an official clarification on the application of Presidential Decree No. 95 to credit institutions’ obligations to foreign creditors in respect of bank deposits. As a reminder, on 1 June 2026, the President of Russia signed Decree No. 377, extending the scope of Decree No. 95 dated 5 March 2022 (“On the Temporary Procedure for Fulfilling Obligations to Certain Foreign Creditors”) to bank deposits.
21.07.2026
The Labor Code is to regulate internships
The draft law that passed the third reading in the Russian State Duma on 8 July 2026 introduces a regulatory framework for internships.
10.07.2026
Draft law to increase the minimum salary for HQS passed third reading on 8 July 2026
On 8 July 2026, a draft law sharply increasing the minimum salary for highly qualified specialists (HQS) passed third reading. HQS whose salaries do not satisfy the updated requirements will no longer be eligible to work in the Russian Federation under the HQS regime. Employers are required to take necessary action by 1 March 2027, namely, either terminate employment contracts or ensure that migration documents, appropriate under alternative migration regimes, be obtained. Selecting an appropriate immigration option and navigating all required procedures requires a substantial amount of time.
08.07.2026
Regulatory updates on foreign individuals’ deposits in Russia effective 1 June 2026: legal uncertainties and risks
On 1 June 2026, the President of the Russian Federation signed Decree No. 377, which extends the scope of Decree No. 95 dated 5 March 2022 (“On the Temporary Procedure for Fulfilling Obligations to Certain Foreign Creditors”) to bank deposits. Decree No. 377 took effect on the date of its signing.
03.07.2026