Upcoming legislation effective from June 2025: Details Revealed
Boosting Help for Families
Starting June 1st, families will experience an upgrade in child support. This change encompasses both federal and regional assistance systems. This refresh will primarily impact those re-registering their benefits in June, which were assigned last year. Unlike a general indexation, benefits for families whose income has decreased are boosted, as they are linked to the basic living wage, which has increased since January 1st of this year.
The main beneficiaries are families with children under 17, pregnant women who registered before the 12th week, and adopters or guardians. To receive benefits, the average per capita income of the family must be below the basic living wage set in the region. The benefit ranges from 50%, 75%, or 100% of the basic living wage for children, depending on the family's income.
It's worth mentioning that the basic living wage in Russia is 17,773 rubles per person. In Yakutia, the basic living wage per capita is 26,777 rubles. For various social and demographic groups, the basic living wage is as follows:
- 29,187 rubles for the able-bodied population
- 23,028 rubles for pensioners
- 25,974 rubles for children
The basic wage in Yakutia from January 1st of this year is 22,440 rubles. For employees in organizations funded from the republic's budget, provided the maximum northern allowance of 80%, the minimum wage is as follows:
- 56,100 rubles in districts with a district coefficient of 1.7
- 62,832 rubles in districts with a district coefficient of 2
From June 1st, 2025, pensions for several categories of citizens will increase. This update will add 8,728 rubles to pensions for citizens over 80 years old and those disabled in the first group, who received the status in May. Also, there will be an additional 1,314 rubles in allowances for caring for a pensioner.
Combating Online Fraud
New Anti-Fraud Measures Launch June 1
Starting June 1, new measures to combat online fraud come into play. These measures make it more challenging for criminals to access Russian citizens' money, ultimately reducing the number of victims. Firstly, banks will have the ability to block suspicious transfers and limit cash withdrawals through ATMs. If the system suspects that a citizen is being coerced to withdraw money (for example, scammers are extorting money by pretending to be law enforcement or bank employees), the ATM will only dispense up to 50,000 rubles per day. This limit will apply for 48 hours.
Additionally, if the Central Bank reports fraud risks, banks will impose an extra monthly limit on ATM cash withdrawals of no more than 100,000 rubles for each citizen. All these measures are intended to give people time to realize they are being swindled in an emergency situation.
Adjustments for Transfers
Starting June 1, closer scrutiny of transfers between individuals will be implemented. Furthermore, the FNS will have the power to retroactively charge taxes if they consider receipts to be income. "Safe" transfers will be those made between friends and family, loan repayments, and one-time gifts. However, if money is received for services, property sales, or there are frequent, regular transfers, the tax authority may have claims. Those at risk are individuals and companies without official income but with regular, large transfers. If payments seem like payment for resales or services, they will be considered taxable. It's now impossible to accept payments without receipts, use personal cards for business, conceal activities as gifts, or register systematic transfers as one-time. To avoid complications, it's crucial to maintain contracts, receipts, and other proof.
Tightening Grip on Extremism Financing
Starting June 1, measures to combat extremist financing are strengthened. Changes have been made to the legislation that increase control over funds that could be used to support extremist activities. Now, supporting extremist activities means transferring or collecting money and providing financial services knowingly while supporting extremist organizations and planning a crime. This applies to all crimes classified as extremist under the Russian Criminal Code. Moreoever, authorities have expanded reasons for including organizations and individuals in special lists recording their connection to extremism. This will help find and block those who finance such activities more quickly.
Framework for Drug Sales
New System to Combat Expired and Counterfeit Medications Begins June 1
Pharmacies are implementing a specialized drug monitoring system directly linked to their cash registers. When a cashier attempts to sell a medication, the cash register automatically checks its status. If the medication is expired or counterfeit, the sale is immediately blocked. Each medication has a unique identification code, enabling the system to accurately determine if it's genuine. These measures are rooted in changes in legislation that started enforcement on March 1 of this year. They prohibit the sale of medications without information in the monitoring system, medications with expired shelf life, as well as prohibited or counterfeit drugs.
QR Code for Gastarbeiters
Starting June 30, new entry rules for foreign nationals from visa-free countries will be in effect. This includes Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and other countries with which Russia has a visa-free agreement. Exceptions are Belarusian citizens and children under six years old, to whom these new rules do not apply.
To enter Russia, a special QR code must be acquired in advance through the "Gosuslugi RuID" application. Before the trip, the foreigner must download the application, register, and create a personal account by uploading their photo and personal data. A declaration of the planned trip and duration of stay must be submitted no later than 72 hours before entry. In emergency cases, such as illness or death of a relative, a declaration can be submitted no later than four hours before entering Russia. The submitted declaration will be valid for 90 days. If the foreigner does not enter the country within this time, the declaration must be submitted again.
The application will also enable online access to government services and, most importantly, the presentation of passport data and trip information in the form of a QR code when crossing the border. As a result, starting summer 2025, visa-free entry to Russia will only be possible with a previously obtained digital pass. These new rules are designed to strengthen migration control.
- In the context of Boosting Help for Families, benefits for families whose income has decreased are being increased, as they are now linked to the basic living wage, which has risen since January 1st of this year.
- In terms of Tightening Grip on Extremism Financing, changes have been made to the legislation that increase control over funds, with supporting extremist activities now including knowingly transferring or collecting money and providing financial services for extremist organizations and planning a crime.
