Armenia Modernizes Labor Law: Key Amendments to the Labor Code Effective January 2026

The Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia introduced significant amendments to the Labor Code of the Republic of Armenia aimed at modernizing the regulation of employment relations and promoting the digitalization of labor law procedures. The law entered into force on January 1, 2026. One of the key changes concerns the elimination of the employer's obligation to provide the employee with a mandatory paper copy of individual legal acts on hiring and termination. Previously, the Code required that a copy of such acts be handed to the employee within three days. This requirement has now been removed, reflecting the transition to electronic administration.

The amendments establish that the origin, modification, and termination of employment relations are generally carried out through a digital system. However, an exception is for positions involving confidential or restricted official information in state bodies. In such cases, employment relations must be formalized in writing, on paper. The amendments also revised the regulation concerning when employment relations are considered to have arisen in the Republic of Armenia, clarifying that this depends primarily on the place of conclusion of the employment contract and the legal status or location of the employer. Overall, the adopted changes reinforce the digital framework of labor relations in Armenia while preserving written procedures for cases involving restricted information, thereby ensuring both efficiency and legal certainty.