Maternity Leave (Singapore)
Updated November 2026 · Free · No sign-up
Calculate Singapore maternity leave — 16 weeks paid for Singapore-citizen children (employer pays weeks 1-8, government reimburses 9-16, capped $10,000/4 weeks), 12 weeks under the EA otherwise, plus the 2025 doubling of paternity leave to 4 weeks.
Quick answer: GPML: 16 weeks at gross pay when the child is a Singapore citizen (and eligibility is met) — first 8 weeks employer-funded, last 8 government-reimbursed up to $10,000 per 4 weeks (third+ children: all 16 reimbursed). Non-citizen children/EA route: 12 weeks (8 paid where eligible). Paternity: 4 weeks (mandatory since April 2025); shared parental leave scheme adds more from 2025-26.
The Schemes
| GPML (citizen child) | EA (others) | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 16 weeks | 12 weeks |
| Pay | Gross rate throughout: employer weeks 1-8, government weeks 9-16 (reimbursed, cap $10,000 per 4 weeks incl. CPF); 3rd+ child: government all 16 | First 8 weeks paid (conditions), last 4 unpaid |
| Eligibility | Child is SC, 3 months’ employment pre-birth, (self-employed included) | EA employee, 3 months’ service |
| Flexibility | Last 8 weeks flexibly usable within 12 months by agreement | — |
The Father’s Side (2025 Reforms)
Government-Paid Paternity Leave: 4 weeks mandatory (for births from 1 April 2025, citizen children) — reimbursed at the same $2,500/week cap logic; plus the new Shared Parental Leave scheme: 6 weeks shared (from April 2025), rising to 10 weeks (April 2026) of additional government-paid leave split between parents — replacing the old transfer mechanism. Verify current MSF rules; this area moved fast in 2025-26.
Worked Example
$6,000 earner, first citizen child: 16 weeks fully paid ≈ $22,150 gross value — employer carries ~$11,075, government reimburses the rest within caps ($6,000 × ~1.846 months < the $10k/4wk cap ✓). Dad: 4 weeks (~$5,540, reimbursed) + the shared-leave weeks by agreement.
Protections and Notes
Dismissal during maternity leave is prohibited (benefit survives retrenchment during pregnancy with conditions); leave starts up to 4 weeks pre-delivery; CPF continues on employer-paid portions. KiT-style arrangements are informal. Adoption leave (12 weeks, mothers) and childcare leave (6 days/year per parent, children <7) stack onto the family package — verify current MSF/MOM figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Singapore maternity leave?
16 weeks at gross pay for Singapore-citizen children (GPML); 12 weeks under the Employment Act otherwise — with the last 8 GPML weeks flexibly usable within a year.
Who pays for the 16 weeks?
Employer funds weeks 1-8; the government reimburses weeks 9-16 (all 16 for third and later children), capped at $10,000 per 4 weeks including CPF.
How much paternity leave do fathers get?
Four weeks government-paid (mandatory for births from April 2025) — plus the shared parental leave scheme’s additional weeks (6 rising to 10) split between parents.
Can I be dismissed while on maternity leave?
No — dismissal during the leave is prohibited, and pregnancy-related retrenchment protections preserve the benefit.
Do part-timers and the self-employed qualify?
Yes for GPML — the self-employed claim lost-income reimbursement directly; the 3-month pre-birth engagement test applies.
✓ Formula verified • Last updated: November 3, 2026