The living allowance during personal bankruptcy in Russia is a monthly protection for basic needs, not a lump sum for the entire procedure. Income above the protected amount generally enters the bankruptcy estate.
How much may the debtor retain?
The estate normally includes property and income received during the asset-realisation procedure. Money equal to the applicable subsistence minimum is excluded for the debtor and, where supported by evidence, for dependants.
Typical situations
- Employed debtor: the protected amount is released from monthly salary.
- Pensioner: the calculation uses the relevant social category.
- Minor children: the court may consider both parents’ maintenance duties.
- No regular income: payment is possible only from money actually received by the estate.
- Extra necessary expenses: the court decides on evidence and proportionality.
Which subsistence minimum applies?
There is no universal fixed amount for every case. The applicable figure depends on the debtor’s category, region and the month of payment. It can change, so the current official figure must be checked rather than relying on an old amount.
Current-month rule. The Russian Supreme Court’s 2025 review explains that this protection meets current needs. It cannot normally be accumulated retrospectively for past months or paid in advance for future months.
Children and other dependants
Dependency must be documented. For a child, the court may take account of the second parent’s legal duty to provide support. Other dependants may require proof of relationship, disability, residence and actual maintenance.
Useful evidence
- birth certificates and residence documents;
- income and support information for the second parent;
- disability, incapacity or education documents;
- maintenance agreements or judgments;
- a monthly calculation of the requested amount.
Can the debtor retain more?
A court may exclude additional necessary and reasonable expenses. Examples include rent where the debtor cannot live at the registered address, essential medical treatment and medicines. The debtor should provide contracts, receipts, medical prescriptions and an explanation of necessity.
Practical sequence
- Disclose every income source and account to the financial manager.
- Provide documents for dependants.
- Agree the monthly release of the protected amount.
- If the manager refuses or extra expenses are required, apply to the bankruptcy court with evidence.
What not to do
- hide salary, pension or another account;
- receive income through a relative without disclosure;
- retain estate money without agreement;
- claim extra expenses without documents;
- assume an unused allowance automatically carries forward.
Failure to cooperate with the financial manager may cause disputes and can affect debt discharge.
Frequently asked questions
What if salary is below the subsistence minimum?
Income within the protected amount should normally remain available to the debtor, but the income source and payment mechanism must still be disclosed.
Can several months be paid at once?
There is no general right to accumulate past allowances or receive future allowances in advance.
Is there a separate amount for every child?
Dependants are considered, but the amount depends on evidence and the other parent’s contribution.
Can rent be paid in addition?
Potentially yes, where the court finds the expense necessary and reasonable.
Official sources
- Russian Supreme Court Plenum Resolution No. 48 of 25 December 2018.
- Supreme Court Review of Personal Bankruptcy Cases, 18 June 2025.
- Russian Supreme Court Plenum Resolution No. 45 of 13 October 2015.
Paid initial consultation
We can review income, dependants and evidence before the procedure. Book a paid initial consultation.
Before filing: review not only protected income but also the grounds for refusing a Russian bankruptcy discharge. Complete disclosure of assets and income affects the final outcome.