The State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament) has approved a law tightening the rules for obtaining mandatory health insurance (OMS) for labor migrants, excluding highly-qualified specialists, says the website of the lower house of parliament.

Under the new legislation, foreign nationals will only be eligible for free medical services after legally working in Russia for at least five years. Emergency medical care will remain available regardless of work history.

Previously, migrant workers qualified for free healthcare after just three years of legal employment.

“Those who come to our country to work and want to benefit from our high social standards must earn that right through honest and legal labor,” said State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin on his Telegram channel.

The bill, submitted by the government in September, is part of a broader legislative package linked to Russia’s federal budget for 2026–2028.

The amendments apply to the law “On Mandatory Medical Insurance in the Russian Federation” and do not affect highly qualified foreign professionals.

Earlier, Russia’s Civic Chamber proposed requiring all incoming migrants to purchase private health insurance upon entry, aiming to ease the burden on public healthcare facilities.