Which Months in 2026 Are the Most Beneficial for Vacation in Russia from a Financial Perspective, and Which Months Lead to Income Losses? An Analysis of Working Days, Holidays, and Recommendations for the Working Public.
Russian experts warn that the most beneficial months for vacation in 2026 are July, April, September, October, and December, as these months have the highest number of working days. Conversely, the least beneficial months are January, February, and May. The timing of vacation directly influences the amount of holiday pay received; therefore, it is crucial for employees to consider not only personal plans but also the production calendar. Let’s examine why some months allow for greater financial gains while others could potentially lead to losses.
Why Are Some Months More Beneficial for Vacation Than Others?
The financial benefits of a vacation are largely determined by the number of working days in the chosen month. Specifically, holiday pay in Russia is calculated based on the average earnings of an employee over the previous 12 months. In simpler terms, a salaried employee does not receive their current monthly salary during vacation but rather an average daily wage multiplied by the days off taken. If a month is short (with fewer working days due to holidays), the average daily wage used for calculating holiday pay is usually lower than the actual earnings for a typical working day in that month. Consequently, during vacation, an employee may receive less money than if they had been working.
Conversely, in months with a higher number of working days, the difference between average payments and regular salaries is minimal. Taking vacation in a “long” month hardly reduces the overall income of an employee. This is why, from a financial standpoint, months with the maximum number of working days are advantageous for vacation, while holidays in “holiday” months are considered financially unwise.
The Most Beneficial Months for Vacation in 2026
From a financial perspective, it is optimal to take vacation during the months with the maximum number of working days. In 2026, several record-breaking months can be highlighted:
- 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.
Vacation planned for these months will allow for maximum holiday pay without reducing the normal level of income. For instance, July, being the longest working month, provides the highest amount of holiday payments. The other months with 22 working days (April, September, October, December) are only slightly less advantageous than July. Experts recommend planning vacations during these periods whenever possible to ensure the highest financial compensation for holidays.
The Least Beneficial Months for Vacation
The opposite situation arises in months with a minimal number of working days. In 2026, the "shortest" months in terms of work will be:
- January — 15 working days (the extended New Year holidays reduce the number of working days).
- February — 19 working days (considering the holiday on February 23).
- May — 19 working days (May holidays at the beginning and middle of the month).
Due to the large number of non-working public holidays, taking vacation during these periods is considered financially disadvantageous. The losses in January are particularly significant, as the New Year festivities "consume" nearly half of the month. Taking vacation immediately after the New Year holidays could lead to total income for January (including holiday pay) being reduced to one-third of the normal monthly salary. A similar situation occurs in May: two weeks of vacation during the May holidays will result in noticeable reductions in holiday pay. According to experts, a vacation lasting around 14 days in a "holiday" month (such as January or May) decreases an employee's total income by 10-15% compared to an average month.
February results in slightly fewer losses than January and May, but it is still considered an unwise month for vacation. Therefore, during these specified periods, it is more beneficial to work all days and receive full salary, while postponing vacation to a different time.
The Remaining Months: Vacation Without Significant Losses
Aside from the extremes previously mentioned, the other months of the year can be considered financially neutral. In such months, the number of working days hovers around 20-21, and vacation will not significantly impact income. For example, March, June, August, and November in 2026 each have approximately 20-21 working days – taking vacation during this time allows for rest without noticeable salary losses. If work schedules or life circumstances dictate that a vacation must be taken in one of these months, serious income reductions need not be a concern.
How to Extend Vacation Using Public Holidays
Financial gain is not the only criterion for choosing vacation timing. Many seek to utilize public holidays and official days off to achieve a longer vacation. Indeed, by properly planning dates, one can significantly increase the length of rest while utilizing fewer days from 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 transferred to Monday, March 9 – again allowing for a long weekend of three days.
- May: Holidays are split into two blocks – from May 1 to May 3 and from May 9 to May 11 (Victory Day on May 9 falls on a Saturday, hence the holiday is moved to Monday, May 11). Taking vacation on working days between these blocks or immediately after them can yield up to 10 days of continuous rest.
- June: Russia Day on June 12 (Friday) automatically gives a long weekend from June 12-14.
- November: Unity Day on November 4 falls on a Wednesday, thus no long weekend occurs. However, by adding 2-3 vacation days before or after this date, one can create a small autumn break.
Recommendations for Vacation Planning
When choosing the timing for an annual vacation, it is essential to consider the balance between duration and financial gain. Below are several tips to help optimally plan a vacation:
- Establish your priorities. First decide what is more important to you – maintaining the maximum possible income or extending the length of your rest. This will influence your choice of months and days for your vacation.
- Choose your month wisely. If your priority is financial gain, plan your vacation in months with 22-23 working days (e.g., July, April, October). This will allow for the almost full receipt of holiday pay. If, however, you desire a longer vacation, consider taking time off during months with holiday periods (January, May), bearing in mind that the holiday pay may be slightly lower than usual.
- Consider additional factors. Beyond the calendar, pay attention to other circumstances: seasonality of work and workloads, colleagues’ plans, and prices for tours and tickets. Sometimes it may be worthwhile to shift vacation to a less popular month to save money on the trip or choose a period when work is quieter.
In conclusion, effective vacation planning enables not only high-quality rest but also helps to avoid unnecessary financial losses. By finding a balance between vacation duration and financial compensation, you can gain the most from your annual leave.
