Translated with AI
On November 20, 2025, the State Duma of the Russian Federation passed a law stipulating that only migrant workers with at least five years of insurance experience in Russia will receive compulsory medical insurance (CMI) policies, with the exception of highly qualified specialists, the State Duma press service reported.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin announced that foreign citizens will now be able to access free medical care in Russia only after legally working in the country for five years. Exceptions are made in emergency cases. "Those who come to our country to work and want to enjoy high-quality social guarantees must prove their right to this through honest and legal work," he noted.
A compulsory medical insurance policy confirms the right to free medical care under the state social program. Previously, migrants were eligible for coverage after three years of work experience in Russia.
According to the explanatory note to the bill, the five-year work experience requirement will become mandatory for foreign citizens and stateless persons temporarily residing and working in Russia, with the exception of highly qualified specialists, as well as foreign workers sent to work in branches, representative offices, and subsidiaries of foreign companies registered in World Trade Organization (WTO) member states.
The law will come into force after being signed by the President of the Russian Federation.
