Russian Minister of Labor and Social Protection Anton Kotyakov announced that self-employed individuals joining voluntary insurance can receive payments in case of illness.
Kotyakov said, "Voluntary insurance allows for the receipt of relevant payments within the framework of the prescribed system when an insured event such as illness occurs. Thus, it provides income security in the event of inability to work, that is, when a person becomes incapacitated."
The minister emphasized that this practice gives Russian citizens the opportunity to create state-covered social guarantees. Kotyakov added, "People have already started using this system."
The pilot program allowing self-employed individuals to voluntarily join social insurance started on January 1, 2026, and will continue until December 31, 2028. The right to receive sickness benefits is acquired six months after starting to pay insurance premiums. The amount of the benefit is determined based on the insurance period and the premium payment period.