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SINGAPORE · FOR MANAGERS

Singapore parental leave planner 2026

For a Singapore citizen baby, working mothers get 16 weeks of maternity leave and fathers get 4 weeks of paternity leave. On top of that, parents share 10 weeks of shared parental leave for babies born on or after 1 April 2026 (6 weeks for babies born from 1 April 2025). Use this planner to see how long someone may be away and when.

Total leave to plan for21 weeks
Leave window13 Feb 2027 to 12 Mar 2028

16 weeks of maternity leave plus 5 weeks of shared parental leave. The default is an equal split; parents can agree a different one.

Leave for a Singapore citizen child

Maternity leave16 weeks. Can start up to 4 weeks before the birth; the rest can be taken flexibly by agreement within 12 months.
Paternity leave4 weeks, within 12 months of the birth. Employers must grant it.
Shared parental leave10 weeks for babies born on or after 1 April 2026 (6 weeks from 1 April 2025), split between the parents, within 12 months.

Most of this leave is paid by the Government, which reimburses the employer up to a cap. Conditions apply, such as the child being a Singapore citizen and the parent meeting the service requirement.

How to plan cover

  • Ask early, privately and warmly, how they would like to take the leave. It is their choice, within the rules.
  • Agree a handover plan a month before, and who will cover each part of the work.
  • Agree how and whether they want to be contacted while away.
  • Plan a gentle return: a catch-up on day one and a lighter first week.

General information for managers, checked in October 2026. It is not legal advice, and contracts or company policies may give more. Always check the official source: LifeSG: Government-Paid Leave for parents.

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