Unlike standard annual leave, statutory parental leaves in Singapore do not follow a calendar-year cycle (1 January–31 December). Instead, the utilisation period for these leaves is tied to your child's date of birth. This means any unused parental leave balance remains available until the statutory deadline linked to your child's birth, even if that deadline falls in the following year.
How the Expiry Period Works
Because parental leave entitlements are anchored to the child's date of birth, unused balances do not expire at the end of the calendar year. For example, if your child is born in 2026, any eligible unused parental leave can still be utilised in 2027, as long as you are within the statutory utilisation period.
Leave Entitlements and Utilisation Periods
The table below summarises the key statutory parental leave types, their entitlements, and the applicable utilisation period as governed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
| Leave Type | Entitlement | Utilisation Period |
|---|---|---|
| Government-Paid Paternity Leave | Up to 4 weeks | Linked to the child's date of birth (as per MOM guidelines) |
| Government-Paid Maternity Leave | 16 weeks | Within 12 months from the child's date of birth |
| Shared Parental Leave (children born from 1 April 2026) | 10 weeks | Within 12 months from the child's date of birth |
Additional Details by Leave Type
Government-Paid Paternity Leave
- Entitlement: Up to 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave.
- Expiry: The applicable leave period is linked to the child's date of birth, not the calendar year.
Government-Paid Maternity Leave
- Entitlement: 16 weeks in total, to be taken within 12 months from the child's date of birth.
- Flexible arrangement: Under an agreed arrangement between you and your employer, the second 8 weeks can be taken non-continuously within that 12-month period.
Shared Parental Leave
- Entitlement: 10 weeks for children born on or after 1 April 2026.
- Expiry: All Shared Parental Leave must be taken within 12 months from the child's date of birth.
Important Note — The entitlements and utilisation periods described here are based on MOM statutory guidelines. Always verify the latest requirements on the MOM website, as regulations may be updated. |