Which Months in 2026 Will Be Most Beneficial for Vacations in Russia from a Financial Perspective, and Which May Lead to Income Losses: An Analysis Based on Working Days, Holidays, and Recommendations for the Workforce.
Russian experts warn that the most advantageous months for vacations in 2026 will be July, April, September, October, and December, as these months have the highest number of working days. Conversely, the least advantageous months will be January, February, and May. The timing of one's vacation directly influences the size of vacation payments, making it crucial for employees to consider not only personal plans but also the production calendar. Let's explore why some months allow for greater financial benefits during vacations while others may result in losses.
Why Some Months Are More Advantageous for Vacations Than Others
The financial benefits of a vacation are largely determined by the number of working days in the chosen month. In Russia, vacation pay is calculated based on the employee's average earnings over the past 12 months. In simple terms, an employee with a fixed salary does not receive their current monthly salary during vacation but rather their average daily earnings multiplied by the days of leave. If a month is short (due to holidays, resulting in fewer working days), the average daily earnings that determine vacation pay are usually lower than the actual income for a typical working day in that month. Consequently, employees may find themselves earning less money during their vacation compared to working.
Conversely, in months with a higher number of working days, the disparity between average pay and regular salary is minimized. Taking time off in a "long" month does not significantly diminish an employee's overall income. This is why, from a financial perspective, vacation planning favors months with the maximum number of working days, while vacations during "holiday" months are viewed as financially disadvantageous.
The Most Beneficial Months for Vacations in 2026
Financially, it's optimal to take vacations in months where the number of working days is maximized. In 2026, several months stand out as record-holders in this regard:
- July - 23 working days (the highest in the year).
- April - 22 working days.
- September - 22 working days.
- October - 22 working days.
- December - 22 working days.
Taking vacation during these months will allow for maximum vacation payments without reducing the usual income level. For instance, July, as the "longest" working month, ensures the highest vacation pay. The other months with 22 working days (April, September, October, December) are only slightly less advantageous than July. Experts recommend planning vacations during these times whenever possible to maximize vacation compensation.
Least Beneficial Months for Vacations
Conversely, the situation is less favorable in months with the minimum number of working days. In 2026, the "shortest" months from a labor perspective will include:
- January - 15 working days (the lengthy New Year holidays decrease the number of working days).
- February - 19 working days (accounting for the holiday on February 23).
- May - 19 working days (with public holidays at the beginning and middle of the month).
Due to a large number of non-working holiday days, vacations during these periods are considered financially disadvantageous. The fiscal impact is particularly significant in January: the New Year celebrations "consume" nearly half the month. If an employee takes a vacation immediately after the New Year holidays, the total earnings for January (including vacation pay) could decrease to one-third of their regular monthly salary. A similar scenario is seen in May: two weeks of leave during the May holidays will lead to a noticeable reduction in payments. According to specialists, a vacation lasting around 14 days during "holiday" months (such as January or May) can reduce total employee income by 10-15% compared to a standard month.
February results in slightly less financial loss than January and May, but it is still regarded as a disadvantageous month for vacations. Therefore, during the specified periods, it is more beneficial to work all days and receive full salary, while postponing vacation to another time.
The Remaining Months: Vacations Without Significant Losses
Aside from the aforementioned extremes, the other months of the year can be considered neutral from a financial viewpoint. In these months, the number of working days ranges from 20 to 21, and vacations will not substantially impact your income. For example, March, June, August, and November in 2026 have around 20-21 working days each – vacations taken during these times will allow for relaxation without notable salary reductions. If work schedules or life circumstances dictate the need to take a vacation in one of these months, there is no need to worry about significant income losses.
How to Extend Vacations Using Holidays
Financial benefits are not the only criterion for choosing vacation timing. Many aim to use holidays and official days off to achieve longer vacations. Indeed, by correctly planning dates, it is possible to significantly increase the length of time off while utilizing fewer days from the annual paid leave.
- February: February 23, 2026, falls on a Monday, creating three consecutive days off (February 21-23).
- March: March 8 falls on a Sunday, and the holiday is transferred to Monday, March 9 – again resulting in a long weekend of three days.
- May: The holidays are split into two blocks – from May 1 to 3 and from May 9 to 11 (Victory Day on May 9 falls on a Saturday, so the holiday is transferred to Monday, May 11). By taking leave on workdays in between or immediately after these blocks, it is possible to achieve up to 10 days of continuous vacation.
- June: Russia Day on June 12 (Friday) automatically provides a long weekend from June 12 to 14.
- November: Unity Day on November 4 falls on a Wednesday, hence there are no long weekends. However, by adding 2-3 days of vacation before or after this date, one can create a small autumn break.
Recommendations for Vacation Planning
When selecting the time for annual vacations, it is crucial to consider the balance between the length of leisure and financial benefit. Below are several tips to help plan vacations optimally:
- Define your priorities. First, decide what matters more to you – retaining maximum possible income or extending the vacation period. This will influence the choice of months and days for your time off.
- Choose the month wisely. If financial benefits are the priority, plan vacations in months with 22-23 working days (e.g., July, April, October). This will provide vacation payments close to full value. Alternatively, if you seek a longer break, consider vacations in months with holiday periods (January, May), while being mindful that the vacation payments may be somewhat lower than usual.
- Consider additional factors. Beyond the calendar, take into account other circumstances: seasonal work and productivity, colleagues' plans, tour and ticket prices. Sometimes it makes sense to shift vacation to a less popular month to save on expenses or select a period of work pacing.
In conclusion, well-thought-out vacation planning enables both quality rest and avoidance of unnecessary financial losses. By finding a balance between leisure duration and monetary compensation, you will gain maximum benefit from your annual vacation.
