Over 4,000 self-employed individuals in Russia register for paid sick leave

According to the press center of the Social Fund of Russia, as of October 14, 2026, the country is continuing an experiment on voluntary social insurance for individuals engaged in independent professional activities. To date, over 4,400 professional income tax payers have secured financial support during illness, bringing the total number of initiative participants to over 11,700.

Who is eligible for insurance

The program is available to citizens paying the professional income tax. This category includes tutors, taxi drivers, nannies, couriers, and housekeepers. To activate the coverage, individuals simply need to submit a request to the Social Fund and choose their desired level of financial protection.

Rates and payout conditions

The legislation provides two basic coverage options: 35,000 or 50,000 rubles. The corresponding monthly contributions amount to 1,300 and 1,900 rubles, respectively. Financial compensation upon the onset of temporary disability becomes available after six months of continuous monthly contributions. Alternatively, participants can make a single lump-sum payment covering the same six-month period.

How to apply

Individuals can join the initiative through digital channels, specifically the Gosuslugi portal or the My Tax app. Alternatively, they can apply in person at the client offices of the Social Fund.

Thus, the voluntary insurance mechanism provides stable social guarantees for freelance workers, which were previously available only to regular employees. By enrolling in the program, freelancers gain financial security and protection against income loss during periods of forced absence due to health issues, aligning with the primary goal of the experiment: integrating the self-employed into the unified social protection system.