Articles (EN)

Maternity leave: rights and payments

2026-05-27 12:00 Pregnancy
In short: Maternity leave consists of two parts: sick leave for pregnancy and childbirth (from the 30th week, usually 140 days) and leave to care for a child up to 3 years old. For the period of sick leave, an allowance is paid in the amount of 100% of average earnings. Care leave is paid for up to 1.5 years (40% of average earnings). It is issued through the employer or the FIS.

What is maternity leave?

In colloquial speech, "maternity leave" is the entire period of absence from work associated with pregnancy and child care. Legally, it consists of two separate periods with different rules and payouts:
1. Maternity leave (OBiR) is issued on the basis of a sick leave ("sick leave") at the antenatal clinic. In fact, this is a medical sick leave, and not a vacation in the labor sense.
2. Childcare leave is a labor leave that begins after the end of the Child Care and Rehabilitation and can last up to 3 years.

Sick leave for pregnancy and childbirth

A sick leave certificate for pregnancy and childbirth is issued at the antenatal clinic at the 30th week of pregnancy (in case of multiple pregnancy - at the 28th). Duration:
140 days (70 before childbirth + 70 after) — in singleton uncomplicated pregnancy.
156 days (70 before + 86 after) – in case of complicated childbirth (cesarean section, ruptures, etc.).
194 days (84 before + 110 after) – in case of multiple pregnancies established before 30 weeks.
The start date of sick leave is the 30th week of pregnancy, even if the woman continues to work. In this case, the benefit is not paid - only if you apply for a sick leave with the employer. If the birth occurred earlier, the term is recalculated.

Amount of maternity benefit

Maternity benefits (maternity benefits) are paid in the amount of 100% of the average earnings for the last 2 years. It is calculated according to the formula: (total earnings for 2 years) / (730 - excluded days) × number of sick days.
There are minimum and maximum amounts of benefits, limited by the maximum base for calculating insurance contributions. In 2024, the maximum benefit for 140 days is about 565,000 rubles. The minimum amount is calculated from the minimum wage - for employees with little experience or low salary.
Women dismissed in connection with the liquidation of the organization are paid benefits by the Social Fund of Russia (SFR) in a fixed minimum amount.

Parental leave

After the end of the OBiR, a woman (or father, or other relative who actually cares) can apply for a childcare leave. It is provided until the child reaches 3 years old. The employer is obliged to keep the job for all this time.
Monthly care allowance is paid for up to 1.5 years in the amount of 40% of average earnings (the minimum is established by law, in 2024 at least ~9000 rubles per month; the maximum is about 47,000 rubles). From 1.5 to 3 years, the benefit is not paid (only if there is a regional supplement or in special situations).

Other payments and benefits during pregnancy and childbirth

One-time allowance for the birth of a child. It is paid to one of the parents. In 2024 - about 24,000 rubles (the amount is indexed annually).
Unified allowance (universal allowance). Since 2023, it has combined a number of previous benefits. It is assigned to low-income families for children under 17 years old, including pregnant women from an early stage (from 12 weeks when registering). It is issued through the State Services portal or MFC.
Maternity capital. For the first child - about 630,000 rubles (in 2024), for the second and subsequent ones, provided that he did not receive it earlier - an additional about 202,000 rubles. Use: improvement of housing conditions, education of children, mother's pension, monthly payment with low family income.

How to apply for maternity leave

  1. Get a sick leave certificate at the antenatal clinic at the 30th week.
  2. Transfer it to the employer (for employees) or to the SFR (for individual entrepreneurs, self-employed, dismissed). From 2022, direct payments: the benefit is transferred to the SFR directly, the employer only transmits the data.
  3. Write an application to the employer for maternity leave.
  4. After the birth of the child, apply for parental leave and a birth certificate.
Documents for applying for benefits: sick leave, certificate of income from previous places of work for 2 years (form 182-n), SNILS, bank details. If you have any difficulties, the Social Insurance Fund/SFR and the MFC provide advice.

Rights of a pregnant woman at work

The labor legislation of Russia protects pregnant women:
It cannot be dismissed except in cases of liquidation of the organization.
According to a medical report, the employer is obliged to reduce production rates or transfer to light work with the preservation of wages.
It is forbidden to send on business trips, involve in night work, overtime, work on weekends.
A pregnant woman is entitled to paid time off to visit a doctor.

When to see a doctor

Consult a doctor at the antenatal clinic:
In the 30th week, this is your right to receive a sick leave , do not forget about it.
If you are denied a sick leave without legal grounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to go on maternity leave later than 30 weeks?

A woman has the right not to issue a sick leave and continue to work, but then the benefit for the period before childbirth will be less - it is calculated only for sick days not actually worked. You cannot receive a salary and an allowance at the same time.

Can the father of the child go on maternity leave instead of the mother?

Yes. Child care leave can be issued by any of the parents or another relative who actually provides care. In this case, one of them must return from vacation. In this case, maternity benefits are received by the one who has taken the leave.

Conclusion

Maternity leave in Russia is reliably protected by law. Sick leave for pregnancy and childbirth begins from the 30th week and is paid in the amount of 100% of earnings. Carer's leave can last up to 3 years with the payment of benefits for up to 1.5 years. In addition, a one-time birth allowance and maternity capital are available. Arrange everything in a timely manner and do not hesitate to use your rights.

Bibliography

  1. Labor Code of the Russian Federation, Chapter 41. https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_34683/1b81a7b9def10e95b3a45e3fca9a68e5855b9598/
  2. Federal Law of 29.12.2006 No 255-FZ "On Compulsory Social Insurance in Case of Temporary Disability and in Connection with Maternity". https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_64871/
  3. Federal Law of 19.05.1995 No 81-FZ "On State Benefits to Citizens with Children". https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_6659/
  4. Social Fund of Russia. Maternity benefits. https://sfr.gov.ru/branches/bryansk/info/~9898
  5. Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation. Measures of social support for families with children. https://mintrud.gov.ru/
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice. If a child's sleep is accompanied by alarming symptoms, a pronounced deterioration in health, problems with breathing, feeding or weight gain, it is necessary to consult a qualified medical specialist as soon as possible, and not rely only on information from the Internet.