This post is also available in: 
简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified))
Paternity Leave in Singapore – What Are the Conditions?
Working fathers will not be entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave in Singapore which will be funded by the Singapore government beginning 1 January 2017.
This includes those who are self-employed. Paid paternity leave in Singapore, referred to as the Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) is applicable to working fathers who meet the following conditions for all births:
- The child is a citizen of Singapore.
- The father must be (or have been) lawfully married to the mother of the child between conception and birth.
- If you are self-employed, you must be continuously engaged in your occupation for at least 3-months prior to your child’s birth and experienced a loss of income during the paternity leave period.
- If you are employed, you must have served with your employer for a continuous period of a minimum of 3-months prior to your child’s birth.
Paid paternity leave in Singapore is also applicable to adoptive fathers if they meet the following conditions for all births:
- The child is a citizen of Singapore.
- If you are self-employed, you must be continuously engaged in your occupation for at least 3-months prior to your child’s birth and experienced a loss of income during the paternity leave period.
- If you are employed, you must have served with your employer for a continuous period of a minimum of 3-months prior to your child’s birth.
What Are the Entitlements for Paid Paternity Leave in Singapore?
Under the GPPL, fathers are entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave. The number of GPPL entitlement per week will be dependent on how many days in a week you work. For example, fathers who worked 6-days in a week will be entitled to 12-days of GPPL.
If you are a working father of a citizen born child (or EDD) either on or after 1 January 2017, you will be eligible for 2 weeks of paid paternity leave in Singapore. GPPL’s per week will be capped at $2,500, including CPF contributions.
Paid paternity leave in Singapore can be carried out in the following 3 approaches:
- By Default, Without Mutual Arrangement
Using this approach, you will take 2 continuous weeks of GPPL within 16 weeks after your child’s birth.
- Through Mutually Agreed Flexibility
Using this approach, you will take 2 continuous weeks of GPPL any time within 12 months after your child’s birth. The 2 weeks can be split into work days and be taken in any combination within that 12-month period.
- By Calculating Actual Leave Days
Using this approach, your 2-week leave will be times (X) by the number of working days in that week. This is capped at 6-working days per week.
Applying for Paternity Leave in Singapore
To apply for your paid paternity leave in Singapore, or to claim reimbursement, you may do so through the following options:
