Understanding Maternity Leave in Singapore: What You Need to Know
What is Maternity Leave in Singapore?
Who is Eligible?
- You are legally employed in Singapore.
- Your child is a Singapore citizen.
- You've worked for your employer for at least 3 months before your child is born.
Duration of Maternity Leave in Singapore
- Usually, 8 weeks are taken before birth and 8 after, but this is flexible.
- The first 8 weeks are paid by the employer, and the remaining 8 are government-paid.
- 12 weeks of maternity leave may be granted.
How to Apply for Maternity Leave
- Inform your employer as early as possible—ideally by the 4th month of pregnancy.
- Submit your maternity leave application form and supporting documents (such as a doctor’s letter or birth certificate).
- Plan your leave dates with your employer to ensure business continuity and your peace of mind.
Can Maternity Leave Be Flexible?
- You can start your leave 4 weeks before your due date or later, depending on your comfort and work arrangement.
- You may also opt for flexible maternity leave, where part of the leave is spread over 12 months after childbirth, with employer approval.
What Happens If You Have Complications or a C-Section?
Tips to Plan Your Maternity Leave in Singapore
- Start early: Discuss with your employer about your plans by mid-pregnancy.
- Know your entitlements: Use official resources like MOM’s maternity leave calculator to understand your options.
- Use your benefits: Some companies offer extended or enhanced maternity packages—ask about yours!
- Combine with childcare leave: You’re entitled to paid childcare leave after maternity leave, which can help ease back-to-work transitions.
Returning to Work: What to Expect
- Consider starting with part-time hours if your employer supports it.
- Arrange for reliable childcare.
- Stay in touch with your HR team to keep track of benefits like infant care subsidies or flexi-work arrangements.
Supporting New Moms Beyond Maternity Leave
Final Thoughts
FAQs
Eligible working mothers are entitled to either 16 weeks of Government-Paid Maternity Leave if their child is a Singapore citizen, or 12 weeks if the child is not, provided they meet specific employment criteria.
As of now, there are no announced changes to maternity leave entitlements in 2025. However, starting 1 April 2025, eligible working fathers will be entitled to 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave, up from the previous 2 weeks.
Yes, foreign employees are eligible for maternity leave if they meet the same criteria as local employees, such as having worked for their employer for at least three continuous months before the birth of the child.
Yes, from 1 April 2025, eligible working fathers of Singaporean children will be entitled to 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave.
Bulgaria offers one of the longest maternity leaves globally, with approximately 58.6 weeks of paid leave.
The Baby Bonus Scheme provides cash gifts and contributions to a Child Development Account (CDA) to help defray the costs of raising children. For children born on or after 18 February 2025, parents can receive up to $13,000 in cash gifts and additional CDA benefits depending on the child’s birth order.
Maternity leave in Singapore is either 16 weeks (approximately 4 months) for eligible mothers of Singaporean children or 12 weeks (approximately 3 months) for others, depending on eligibility criteria.
While it’s not legally required to inform your employer immediately, it’s encouraged to do so early to allow for work planning. A face-to-face meeting or a phone call is advisable to discuss your pregnancy and anticipated maternity leave.
