Paternity leave and shared parental leave in Singapore, for expat families

In one table

Everything in Singapore's government-paid family leave turns on the child's citizenship, not the parent's. A British father of a Singapore citizen baby is eligible for GPPL if he meets the other conditions; a Singaporean father's leave is not automatic either if the conditions are not met.

Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL)

Conditions

MOM lists four:

1. Your child is a Singapore citizen.
2. You are or had been lawfully married to the child's mother between conception and birth, or within 12 months from your child's date of birth (inclusive).
3. Employees: you have served your employer for a continuous period of at least 3 months before the birth.
4. Self-employed: you have worked for a continuous period of at least 3 months before the birth and lost income during the paternity leave.

MOM adds that the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) may reimburse employers who voluntarily give GPPL to employees who meet everything except the 3-month service requirement. If you have just changed jobs, ask your new employer about it.

How much

If your child's date of birth, estimated delivery date or date of formal intent to adopt is on or after 1 April 2025, you are entitled to 4 weeks. The number of days depends on your working week: MOM's example is 24 days for someone working 6 days a week (capped at 6 working days a week).

Your employer pays you and can claim reimbursement for all 4 weeks, capped at SGD 2,500 per week or SGD 10,000 in total.

When and how to take it

• Give 4 weeks' notice, unless your employer agrees to a shorter period.
• Default: 4 continuous weeks within 16 weeks after the birth.
• By mutual agreement: 4 continuous weeks at any time within 12 months, or split into working days in any combination within 12 months.

Protection

From 1 April 2025, MOM states it is an offence for an employer to dismiss an employee while he is on GPPL.

Stillbirth

MOM states that fathers of a stillborn child are eligible for 2 weeks of GPPL, subject to the employment, marriage and citizenship criteria.

Shared Parental Leave (SPL)

How much

MOM states that eligible working parents are entitled to:

• 6 weeks of SPL for children born from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026;
• 10 weeks of SPL for children born from 1 April 2026 onwards.

The weeks are shared between the parents and taken within 12 months of the birth (including the date of birth). For children born between 1 July 2017 and 31 March 2025, MOM refers parents to the earlier shared leave scheme on the Government-Paid Leave portal.

Conditions

• Your child is a Singapore citizen.
• Employees: at least 3 continuous months of service before the birth.
• Self-employed: at least 3 continuous months of work before the birth and lost income during SPL.
• All mothers are eligible. Fathers are eligible if they are or had been lawfully married to the child's mother between conception and birth, or within 12 months of the birth.

MOM also mentions a Shared Parental Leave Benefit scheme for parents who do not meet the SPL eligibility criteria: check the Government-Paid Leave portal for your case.

Pay, notice and timing

• Your employer pays you and claims reimbursement for the weeks allocated to you, capped at SGD 2,500 per week.
• 4 weeks' notice, unless your employer agrees to less.
• SPL can be taken continuously, or in pieces within 12 months if your employer agrees. Without agreement, MOM says it should be taken in one continuous block within 26 weeks of the birth.

Unpaid infant care leave

For a Singapore citizen child below 2, MOM gives each parent with at least 3 months of service 12 days of unpaid infant care leave a year, up to 24 days per child. It comes on top of 6 days of paid childcare leave.

When your baby is not a Singapore citizen

If neither parent is a citizen, the statutory picture for the partner is short: no GPPL, no SPL, no infant care leave, and 2 days a year of childcare leave under the Employment Act (see childcare leave). In practice:

• Ask your HR for the paternity or parental leave policy, in writing, early. Many international employers give paternity or "second parent" leave by contract.
• Check if your contract is governed by another country's law (for example if you are seconded or work remotely for an employer abroad): your home country's parental leave may apply.
• Plan annual leave around the due date, and agree flexible working for the first weeks if you can.
• Same-sex partners and unmarried partners: the statutory schemes are tied to the conditions above; company policies are often broader, so ask.

If your baby becomes a citizen later

MOM's maternity leave page allows mothers whose child becomes a citizen within 12 months of birth to take the remaining Government-Paid Maternity Leave. If your family is in this situation, check the Government-Paid Leave portal for how it applies to paternity and shared leave before your child's first birthday.

Checklist for the partner

• Confirm whether your baby will be a Singapore citizen
• Check the marriage condition if GPPL or SPL applies
• Count 3 months of service before the due date
• Give 4 weeks' notice for GPPL or SPL
• Agree with your partner how to split SPL, and tell both employers
• If no statutory leave applies: get the company policy in writing and book annual leave

Questions parents ask

Sources

1. MOM — Paternity leave checked October 13, 2026
2. MOM — Shared parental leave checked October 13, 2026
3. MOM — Unpaid infant care leave checked October 13, 2026
4. Government Portal for Parental Leave Schemes (MSF) checked October 13, 2026

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