Making the Most of Parental Leave in Singapore

Making the Most of Parental Leave in Singapore

In Singapore, where birth rates continue to decline and dual-income households are the norm, the conversation around parental leave has grown increasingly urgent. While the government has introduced progressive policies over the years—including paid maternity and paternity leave, shared parental leave, and infant care provisions—many families still struggle to fully benefit from them due to workplace cultures, eligibility constraints, and traditional caregiving expectations. As Singapore navigates long-term challenges like an ageing population and declining fertility, rethinking how we structure and support parental leave is essential—not just for families, but for the country's future resilience and inclusivity.

 

Overview of Parental Leave Policies in Singapore

As of April 1, 2025, government-paid paternity leave has been doubled to four weeks and made mandatory, moving beyond the previously optional two-week entitlement 

Simultaneously, a new Shared Parental Leave (SPL) scheme will be introduced: parents of Singaporean children born from April 1, 2025, will receive a combined six weeks to share, rising to ten weeks from April 1, 2026, as part of a phased rollout 

This marks a significant change from the earlier model where mothers could only transfer up to four of their own 16 weeks of maternity leave. 


Image: More parental leave for working parents – CNA

(Image: CNA | Prime Minister’s Office)


Below shows, at a glance, the maximum number of weeks of leave each parent is allowed to take:


Period

Parent

GPPL/ GPML

SPL

Max Combined

Child born from Apr 2025

Father

4 weeks

3 weeks

7 weeks

Mother

16 weeks

3 weeks

19 weeks

Child born from Apr 2026

Father

4 weeks

5 weeks

9 weeks 

(or more if reallocated)

Mother

16 weeks

5 weeks (flexible reallocation)

21 weeks 

(or more if spouse reallocates)


Table: Overview of parental leave - CradleNest


Eligibility Criteria for Parental Leave in Singapore

Maternity Leave

  • The mother must be a Singapore citizen at the time of birth or adoption.

  • She must have worked for at least 3 continuous months before the birth.

  • The child must be a Singapore citizen.

  • Applies under the Child Development Co-Savings Act.

Paternity Leave

  • The father must be a Singapore citizen.

  • He must be lawfully married to the child’s mother at the time of birth.

  • He must have worked for the employer for at least 3 continuous months before the child’s birth.

  • Applies under the Child Development Co-Savings Act.

Shared Parental Leave (SPL)

  • The father must be eligible for paternity leave.

  • The mother must be eligible for maternity leave.

  • The mother can transfer up to 4 weeks of her maternity leave entitlement to the father.

  • Both parents must be Singapore citizens.

Infant Care Leave

  • Applies to parents of Singapore citizen children under 2 years old.

  • Both parents who are employed are entitled to 6 days of infant care leave per year (unpaid for self-employed workers).


How Parental Leave Works in Practice 

In practice, parental leave entitlements combine government and employer contributions, and navigating these can sometimes be complex. 

For maternity leave, the government covers the first 8 weeks for eligible mothers, with the remaining 8 weeks typically paid by employers. 

Fathers receive government-paid paternity leave, which employers must grant, with no pay deductions. 

Shared Parental Leave offers flexibility but requires clear communication and agreement between parents and employers. 

It’s important to note the timelines: mothers should apply for maternity leave at least 3 weeks before the expected delivery date, and fathers must notify employers at least 1 week in advance for paternity leave. 

While parental leave provides vital time off, some parents face challenges such as inflexible employers, or confusion over entitlements for freelance and self-employed workers. According to AWARE’s 2024 Impact Report, many women report difficulties securing supportive workplace arrangements post-childbirth, while freelance or gig workers often lack clear access to leave benefits. Planning ahead, understanding your rights, and discussing leave options early with your employer can help ensure a smoother leave experience.


Type of Leave

Duration

Payment

Application Timeline

Notes / Challenges

Maternity Leave

16 weeks total

First 8 weeks paid by government; remaining 8 weeks typically paid by employer

Apply at least 3 weeks before expected delivery date

Eligibility criteria applies; navigating combined pay can be complex

Paternity Leave

2 weeks (increasing to 4 weeks from April 2025)

Fully government-paid; employers must grant with no pay deductions

Notify employer at least 1 week before leave

Some employers are inflexible

Shared Parental Leave

Up to 4 weeks transferable from mother’s maternity leave

Paid according to maternity leave pay arrangements

Coordination needed between parents and employer

Requires clear communication and agreement

Infant Care Leave

6 days per year (until child turns 2)

Typically employer-paid; unpaid for self-employed

No strict timeline; use as needed for infant care

Freelancers/self-employed face challenges accessing paid leave


Unpaid Leave - Planning Ahead

Unpaid leave can be a financial challenge, so it’s important to plan ahead by budgeting for the period without income. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) encourages employees to discuss unpaid leave options openly with employers, as some companies may offer flexible arrangements or partial pay during this time. 

Self-employed fathers are eligible for up to 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL), provided they have been engaged in their work for at least 3 continuous months before the birth and have lost income during the leave period. Additionally, they may qualify for Government-Paid Childcare Leave if their child is a Singapore citizen and under 7 years old, with the same eligibility criteria.

For periods beyond paid leave, self-employed parents can access 12 days of unpaid infant care leave per year if their child is a Singapore citizen and under 2 years old, and they have been self-employed for at least 3 continuous months. 

Financial support is also available through the Baby Bonus Scheme, which includes a cash gift and a Child Development Account (CDA) with government matching, helping to ease the financial burden during unpaid leave periods. Check out our article on the Baby Bonus Scheme & CDA for more information on how these schemes can support your financial planning.

 

Type of Leave / Support

Duration

Eligibility

Details / Notes

Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL)

Up to 4 weeks (for self-employed fathers)

Must be self-employed for at least 3 continuous months before birth, and have lost income during leave

Paid leave to support fathers in caregiving roles

Government-Paid Childcare Leave (GPCL)

Up to 6 days per year

Self-employed parent with child under 7 years old who is a Singapore citizen

Paid leave for childcare purposes

Unpaid Infant Care Leave

Up to 12 days per year

Self-employed parent with child under 2 years old who is a Singapore citizen, self-employed ≥ 3 months

Unpaid leave option for infant care

Baby Bonus Scheme

Cash gift + Child Development Account matching

All Singapore citizen children

Financial support to ease costs associated with child-rearing during leave periods


Table: Overview of Unpaid Leave and Government Support for Self-Employed Parents in Singapore - CradleNest


Making the Most of Your Time Together

Parental leave can be a precious opportunity for rest, bonding, and shared growth—if used intentionally. Start by planning your leave early and having open conversations with both your employer and your partner. When both parents are involved from the start, it helps foster stronger relationships, more equitable parenting, and a smoother transition back to work.

At CradleNest, we offer a supportive community and reliable resources to guide you every step of the way. Download the CradleNest app for more guides, personalised planning tools, and a network of parents just like you. Follow us on Instagram (@cradlenestsg) for updates, tips, and a peek into our growing community.


This article was informed by resources from the following: