25/02/2026

A Federal Law dated June 24, 2025 No. 168-FZ will take effect in Russia on March 1, 2026. The law introduces new requirements for how the Russian language must be used in public information.

Key Amendments

1. All information displayed in publicly accessible places and intended for consumers must be presented in the Russian language. This requirement applies to shop signs, navigation signs, price tags, menus, advertisements, and other informational materials. Words such as sale, café, coffee, shop, and similar foreign words will not be allowed without translation.
2. The law applies both to physical information carriers and to information published on the Internet, including product and service descriptions, headings, and website interface elements.
3. Foreign words may be used only if a Russian translation is included. The translation must appear in the same color, font, and size, and must be equal in meaning and presentation.
4. Foreign words written in Cyrillic that do not have commonly used Russian alternatives are allowed. A list of such words is included in official dictionaries of foreign terms. Examples include “айс-кофе” (iced coffee), “бизнес-ланч” (business lunch), “йога” (yoga).

Exception

A foreign-language word may remain if a company has a duly registered trademark.

Moscow Patent Service provides services for the preliminary search of the registrability of trademarks, preparation of necessary documentation, and filing of trademark applications.