Verified: July 2026. Regional amounts are set by governor decree and change 1–2 times a year.
How is the signing bonus split between federal and regional?
Two components. Federal 1.9 million ₽ is fixed by Presidential Decree No. 787 and paid from the Ministry of Defence budget. On top, the region where you sign adds its own one-time payment from the regional budget. You keep both — they are separate payments, sometimes hitting your card days apart.
Which regions pay the most?
| Region | Regional top-up (RUB) | Total with federal |
|---|---|---|
| Moscow | 800,000 | 2,700,000 |
| Moscow region | 600,000 | 2,500,000 |
| Khanty-Mansiysk AO | 500,000 | 2,400,000 |
| Krasnodar krai | 400,000 | 2,300,000 |
| Tatarstan | 305,000 | 2,205,000 |
| Novosibirsk | 300,000 | 2,200,000 |
| Saint Petersburg | 195,000 | 2,095,000 |
Numbers verified against regional governor decrees for Q2 2026. Amounts below Saint Petersburg's floor exist in some regions but are rare for foreign contractors — most recruitment routes for CIS and non-CIS citizens go through Moscow, Rostov, or Krasnodar.
Where should a foreigner sign to maximise the bonus?
Where you sign the contract determines the regional bonus, not where you serve. Foreigners typically sign in Moscow because the recruitment centre for foreign citizens is there and the top-up is the largest. See our full step-by-step application guide.
When is the money on my card?
Federal 1.9 million ₽: within 10 working days after the contract is entered into the personnel system. Regional top-up: within 30 calendar days, sometimes faster. Both go to a Russian bank card issued at intake — usually PSB or Sber. Read what happens after you sign for the full first-week sequence.
What could go wrong?
- Wrong bank card details. A single digit off delays payment by 2–4 weeks. Photograph the card and details at intake.
- Sending money abroad. SWIFT is closed for sanctioned Russian banks. Cross-border cash-pickup services (for CIS: Zolotaya Korona, Contact) work, but plan the route before you sign.
- Regional bonus cut before your intake. Governors can revise amounts. The rule that applies is the decree in force on the date your contract is signed — not the day you applied.
- 13% tax on the signing bonus. It is taxable income. For non-residents in the first 183 days, the rate is 30%. Budget accordingly.
