Which Months in 2026 Are Most Beneficial for Vacation in Russia from a Financial Perspective, and Which Lead to Income Losses: An Analysis of Working Days, Holidays, and Recommendations for the Working Population
Russian experts warn that the most advantageous months for vacation in 2026 are July, April, September, October, and December, as they feature the highest number of working days. Conversely, the least favorable months are January, February, and May. The timing of vacation directly impacts the amount of vacation pay received; thus, it is crucial for working individuals to take into account not only personal plans but also the production calendar. Let's examine why certain months allow for higher financial returns for vacations, while others may lead to financial losses.
Why Some Months Are More Advantageous for Vacation Than Others
The financial benefit of vacation largely depends on the number of working days in the chosen month. Vacation pay in Russia is calculated based on the employee's average earnings over the past twelve months. In simple terms, an employee with a fixed salary receives not the current monthly salary during vacation, but an average daily earnings rate multiplied by the number of vacation days taken. If a month is short (with fewer working days due to holidays), the average daily earnings, on which vacation pay is based, are usually lower than the actual earnings from a regular working day in that month. As a result, during vacation, the employee may receive less money than if they had worked.
Conversely, in months with a higher number of working days, the difference between the average vacation payout and regular salary is minimal. Taking vacation during a "long" month almost does not decrease the employee's overall income. This is why, from a financial perspective, months with the maximum number of working days are advantageous for vacation planning, while vacations during "holiday" months are considered financially disadvantageous.
The Most Beneficial Months for Vacation in 2026
From a financial standpoint, it is optimal to take a vacation in months with the maximum number of working days. In 2026, several record months can be highlighted:
- 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.
Vacations planned during these months will allow for maximum vacation payments without reducing the usual income level. For instance, July, being the "longest" working month, offers the highest vacation payments. The other months with 22 working days (April, September, October, December) are only slightly less beneficial than July. Experts recommend, when possible, to plan time off during these periods to maximize vacation compensation.
The Least Beneficial Months for Vacation
The opposite scenario occurs in months with the lowest number of working days. In 2026, the "shortest" 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 (taking into account the holiday on February 23).
- May — 19 working days (May Day holidays in early and mid-month).
Due to a large number of non-working holiday days, taking vacation during these periods is considered financially disadvantageous. Losses are particularly noticeable in January: New Year's celebrations "consume" almost half of the month. If vacation is taken right after the New Year holidays, the total income for January (including vacation pay) may shrink to one-third of the usual monthly salary. A similar situation occurs in May, where a two-week vacation during the May holidays will significantly reduce payments. Experts estimate that a vacation lasting about 14 days in a "holiday" month (such as January or May) reduces total employee income by 10–15% compared to a regular month.
February results in slightly less loss than January and May but is still considered an unfavorable month for vacation. Thus, during the specified periods, it is more beneficial to work all days and receive full salary, while postponing vacation to another time.
Other Months: Vacation Without Significant Losses
Apart from the aforementioned extremes, the remaining months of the year can be regarded as financially neutral. In such months, the number of working days fluctuates between 20–21, and vacation will not substantially impact your income. For example, March, June, August, and November in 2026 each have around 20–21 working days — taking vacation during this time will allow for rest without marked income loss. If work schedules or life circumstances dictate taking vacation during one of these months, there’s no need to fear a significant drop in income.
How to Extend Vacation with Holiday Days
Financial benefit is not the only criterion in choosing vacation timing. Many aim to utilize holidays and official days off to achieve a longer vacation. Properly planning dates can significantly extend the duration of rest while using fewer days from one's 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, with the holiday moved to Monday, March 9 — again resulting in a three-day long weekend.
- May: 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, thus the holiday is moved to Monday, May 11). Taking vacation on working days between these blocks or immediately after them can result in up to 10 days of continuous rest.
- 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 arrange a short autumn break.
Recommendations for Vacation Planning
When choosing the timing for an annual vacation, it is essential to balance the duration of rest and financial benefit. Below are several tips to help optimally plan vacations:
- Determine your priorities. First, decide which is more important to you — maximizing your income or extending your time off. This will influence the choice of months and days for taking vacation.
- Choose the month consciously. If financial advantage is the priority, plan vacations in months with 22–23 working days (such as July, April, October). This will enable receipt of vacation pay close to full amounts. However, if you seek a longer break, consider taking time off during months with holiday periods (January, May), keeping in mind that vacation pay may be somewhat lower than usual.
- Consider additional factors. Besides the calendar, pay attention to other circumstances: seasonality of work and workload, colleagues' plans, and prices for tours and tickets. Sometimes, it may make sense to shift your vacation to a less popular month to save on travel costs or select a period when work is less demanding.
Ultimately, careful vacation planning allows for quality rest while avoiding unnecessary financial losses. By finding a balance between the duration of vacation and monetary compensation, you can gain maximum benefit from your annual leave.
