Working fathers of Singaporean children born on or after 1 January 2024, can take four weeks of government-paid paternity leave (GPPL), up from two weeks. The extra two weeks will be given on a voluntary basis and employers who grant the two additional weeks leave will be reimbursed by the government.

There are 2 changes with the Budget 2024 announcements, which will take effect from April 1, 2025:

• The 4 weeks of GPPL will now be mandatory. Currently, it is 2 weeks mandatory + 2 weeks voluntary, if employers are ready to offer it.
• On top of existing GPPL, and government-paid maternity leave (GPML), there will be an extra 6 weeks of shared parental leave (SPL) shared between both parents, each parent gets 3 weeks by default. From April 1, 2026, these 6 weeks will be increased to 10 weeks shared between both parents, with each parent getting 5 weeks by default.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)’s Pro-Family Leave website states that GPPL supports eligible working fathers (including self-employed fathers) in caring for their newborn children and encourages shared parental responsibility. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand your leave entitlements:

• If your child is a Singapore citizen, or becomes a Singapore citizen within 12 months from your child's date of birth, and

• You are/were lawfully married to your child’s mother.

For Employees

You have served your employer for a continuous period of at least 3 months before your child's date of birth.

For Self-Employed Persons

You have been engaged in a particular trade, business, profession or vocation for a continuous period of at least 3 months before your child’s date of birth, and have lost income from ceasing to be actively engaged during your GPPL period.

You are eligible for 4 weeks of GPPL, to be taken within 12 months from your child’s date of birth.

• Taken in 1 continuous block: Most fathers start their paternity leave on the date of birth of their child, and take the 4 weeks in 1 continuous block. You can utilize your 4 weeks any time within 16 weeks from your child’s date of birth.

• Taken non-continuously: Other alternative arrangements are dependent on mutual agreements between you and your employer. 

For Employees

• Notify your employer on your leave arrangement early so they can verify your eligibility and make alternative work arrangements.

• Submit the declaration form (GPPL1) to your employer with all necessary supporting documents. Your employer may use its own declaration form or system for you to declare your eligibility. 

• Apply for GPPL according to your employer’s leave application procedures.

Tip: Important documents that you need to provide include your child’s birth certificate and your marriage certificate. 

For Self-Employed Persons

• Record your GPPL dates

• Submit your claim online via the Government-Paid Leave (GPL) Portal no later than 3 months after the date of your GPPL

Tip: Important documents that you need to provide include your child’s birth certificate, your marriage certificate, and your latest Notice of Assessment from Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

For Employees

You will receive your salary as per usual from your employer, as the government reimburses your employer and not directly to you. The government will reimburse your employer for 2* weeks of your GPPL, capped at $2500 per week, or a total of $5000. 

For Self-Employed Persons

The government will reimburse you based on the bank information that you provided in your GPL claim submission. Similarly, the government will reimburse you for 2* weeks of your GPPL, capped at $2500 per week, or a total of $5000.

*GPPL will increase to 4 weeks for fathers of Singaporean children born from 1 Jan 2024.

Q) My child is not a Singapore Citizen, am I eligible for paternity leave?

You are not entitled to GPPL if your child is not a Singaporean citizen. Check with your employer on whether they provide company-paid paternity leave.

Q) I’m a Singapore Permanent Resident / foreigner, am I eligible for paternity leave?

As a foreigner or permanent resident, you are eligible for government-paid paternity leave as long as your child is a Singapore citizen and you meet the other eligibility criteria.

Q) I’m adopting a child, am I eligible for paternity leave?

Yes, you are eligible for GPPL if you fulfil these criteria:

• Your Formal Intent to Adopt (FIA) date is on and after 1 Jan 2017.

• You are not the natural father of the child.

• If your child is not a Singapore citizen, either you or your wife (if she is a joint applicant to the adoption) has been a Singapore citizen since the date on which the dependant’s pass (DP) is issued.

• You fulfil all other employment criteria.

Check your eligibility here.

Q) My wife gave birth to twins, am I eligible for more paternity leave?

Unfortunately, no. You are still only eligible for 2 weeks of GPPL.

Q) I work part-time, am I eligible for paternity leave?

You are entitled to GPPL if you meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above. Payment is based on the number of days you are contracted to work, at your gross rate of pay.

Q) Am I able to encash my unused paternity leave?

No. Paternity leave cannot be encashed; it is for you to spend time with your family.

Q) If I change jobs before I complete my paternity leave, can I carry over the balance to my new company?

No. If you switch jobs before completing your paternity leave, you won’t be able to transfer any unused leave to your new company.

Q) What happens if my company does not want to grant me paternity leave?

You should report your employer to the Ministry of Manpower for breaking the law. Employers who deny, without reasonable cause, employed fathers of their GPPL may be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed up to 6 months. These penalties increase to fines of up to $10,000 and jail terms of up to 12 months for repeat offenders.

More information on support for working parents in Singapore can be found on the MSF’s website here.