Employer of Record and Payroll Services in Armenia 
Mercans-owned legal entity
We have our own legal entity to protect your business from risk and provide you and your employees with a distinctive experience.
We have our own legal entity to protect your business from risk and provide you and your employees with a distinctive experience.
Services available
- Employer of record
- Contractor management
- Global payroll
- In-country payroll
Mercans offers complete payroll, PEO and HR services in Armenia
In recent years, Armenia's economy has grown significantly and it has several larger trading partners nearby, a wealth of natural resources, and excellent opportunities for business growth. At Mercans, we help organizations of all kinds to expand abroad, including into Armenia. In a matter of days, rather than weeks or months, your organization can start your Armenian expansion with our Armenia PEO, employer of record, and payroll services, even if you do not already have a presence in the country.
Doing Business in Armenia
The pace of economic reforms, Armenia's safety, freedom, and openness appeal to foreign investors and business owners. As a first step to entering the Armenian market, many prefer to visit Armenia in person and register a business. If you do not speak Armenian or plan to run your business remotely, a knowledgeable payroll firm like ours can help you minimize risks by ensuring compliance with tax, labor, immigration, and other regulations, avoiding pitfalls, and taking advantage of tax benefits and other government assistance programs.
Entity Registration and Incorporation Requirements
In Armenia, starting a business or expanding an existing one is straightforward. From a variety of entity types, choose the one that suits your business needs.
Banking
Banking Hours: 9.00 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Friday
Working Week
The standard working week is from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Labor Law
There are a number of legal acts in the social and economic field that create the framework for the work laws in the Republic of Armenia, including the Constitution and the Labour Code. The right to freedom of profession, as well as the right to working conditions that comply with safety and hygiene requirements, is guaranteed (Art. 32 of the CAR). The use of forced labor is prohibited. Workers retain their right to social security regardless of their age, disability, loss of main income earner, unemployment or other conditions prescribed by law (Article 37 of the CAR). Article 39 of the CAR states that "all citizens are entitled to free superior and professional education in State superior and other professional educational institutions.". In cases and in conformity with the procedure prescribed by law, the State provides financial and other assistance to institutions and their students conducting superior and other professional education programs”.
Main Industries
Brandy, mining, diamond processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging and pressing machines, electric motors
GDP Growth
14.8
Dates & Numbers
dd/mm/yyyy
Official State Name
Republic of Armenia
Population
2.96 Million
Capital
Yerevan
Major Languages
Armenian
Currency
Armenian Dram
Internet Domain
.am
International Dialing Code
+374
-1°C
Payroll
The payroll cycle in Armenia is generally a monthly cycle, with wages paid on the 15th day of the following month. There is no mandatory or customary 13th salary payment in Armenia. In Armenia, overtime is calculated at 150% of the standard hourly rate for each hour of overtime worked. Should an employee work nights, these are calculated at 130% of the standard hourly rate for each hour of night work.
It is acceptable to provide employees with online payslips
Payslip
Employees receive paid annual leave of 20 days
Annual Leave
Employees receive paid sick leave of 5 days
Sick Leave
20 weeks of paid maternity leave and 5 days of unpaid paternity leave
Maternity & Paternity Leave
14 days
Employee Termination
There are no provisions mandated by law regarding the 13th month salary
13th month salary
406 AMD per hour
Minimum Wage
Overtime payment of 1.5x the employee's ordinary rate of pay for the first hour of overtime
Overtime
Employees paid monthly are entitled to 10x’ pay for each year of employment for the first year of service and increases with higher years of service
Severance Pay
Tax and Social Security
Armenian-resident entities, as well as non-resident entities doing business through a PE, are liable for CIT. For tax residents, worldwide income is taxable; for non-residents, Armenian-source income is taxable. CIT is charged at a standard rate of 18%. For CIT, taxable income serves as the taxable base.
Tax
The majority of income of an individual is taxable. Armenia generally does not tax capital gains on the sale of securities, real estate or other assets. Insurance and pension payment are also exempt from taxes.
Corporate Income Tax
Personal Income Tax
Sales Tax
VAT
Social Security
Individuals can access income support, superannuation services, student allowances and loans as well as public housing assistance.
Social Security Rate
Social Security Rate for Employers
Social Security Rate for Employees
Employment Law
In Armenia, it is mandatory for employers to sign an individual employment contract or to issue an individual legal act upon accepting employment; hence, employment contracts are commonly used. In addition to individual employment contracts, collective employment contracts may be signed with representatives of company employees. On January 1, 2020, the minimum monthly wage in Armenia was set at AMD 68,000, following a 23.6% increase from the previous year.
Employment Agreement
The Republic of Armenia (RA Labor Code) states that the Standard Working hours should not exceed 40 hours per week, and a daily work period must not exceed eight working hours. The maximum working time (including overtime) should not exceed 12 hours per day (48 hours per week), including breaks. Accurate records of wages, time and leave must be maintained by the employer at all times.
Working condition
Employees must be provided with paid rest and unpaid meal breaks. The number of breaks and duration will depend on the hours worked.
Leaves
The minimum annual paid leave in Armenia is 28 days (Article 159 of the LC). Extended and additional paid annual leave of up to 35 days (or up to 48 days in some exceptional cases) are granted to workers performing work in hazardous conditions, or in conditions of intellectual or emotional stress.
Employment termination
The employment relationship may end in a few ways including resignation, retirement, dismissal or redundancy. Dismissal may be done for misconduct or redundancy but through a valid and proper process.
14 days
Minimum notice period for terminating an employee
16
Total number of public holidays
40
Working hours per week
3 days
Total number of days for Compassionate & Bereavement Leave
Immigration
As a general rule, a holder of an Armenian visa is not entitled to work in Armenia unless s/he also holds a work permit. Highly skilled foreign specialists, business owners, executives and certain other categories of workers are exempt from work permit requirements. The work permit has to be applied for on behalf of the legal employer and is issued for the duration of the employment contract but not longer than one year.
Residency permits
Visas will vary depending on whether the individual is intending to work for up to three months or over three months, the country of origin and there are also specific visas for those aged 18 to 35.
Work Permit Validity
1 year
Required Documents
An application form
The employee’s passport
A diploma showing education or qualification for the job
Two photos
Proof of payment of the government’s fees
Build the best team and hire top talent compliantly in Armenia. Get in touch with Armenia payroll outsourcing & PEO specialists for a free consultation!