Who Qualifies for Singapore’s New 10-Week Shared Leave? Full Eligibility Checklist for 2026 Parents

It’s a momentous time for Singapore’s parental benefits system. Starting 1 April 2026, eligible working parents of Singapore Citizen (SC) children will receive 10 weeks of government-paid Shared Parental Leave (SPL) – up from six weeks, which was introduced in April 2015. 

This, together with the current Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML) of 16 weeks and Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) of four weeks, means that parents of a child in its first year of life can now enjoy 30 weeks of paid parental leave.

But not all parents are eligible. Here’s everything you have to know to be eligible.

Key Features of Singapore Parental Leave Policy After 2026

There have been developments in the parental leave scheme of Singapore in two stages, in connection with the NDR 2024 speech given by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The first phase, taking effect from April 2015, provided six weeks of SPL. Phase two, which takes effect on 1 April 2026, will provide 10 weeks of shared and fully funded leave. The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) states this change will encourage equal parental care and help families in the early months of a child’s development.

The government will reimburse employers at a rate of no more than S$2,500 a week (including CPF contributions). For those who work in multiple jobs, the cap will be applied across all jobs.

Complete Eligibility Checklist: Who’s Eligible for 10 Week SPL?

This checklist of the Singapore 10-week shared leave eligibility is helpful in planning your leave. Below is a breakdown of the checklist by child, parent and employment criteria.

Child’s Profile

• Child is born on or after 1 April 2026 (or Estimated Date of Delivery is on or after 1 April 2026, regardless if child is born prior to 1 April 2026)
• Child is a Singapore Citizen (SC) at birth, or becomes an SC within 12 months of birth (SPL can only be taken after citizenship is determined)
• Child is not a miscarriage or stillbirth – parents of stillborn children are ineligible for SPL, but can apply for GPML and GPPL

Marital & Parental Status

• Mothers: All mothers, including single and widowed
• Fathers: Have to be married to the mother at any time between conception and the birth of the child, OR marry within 12 months of birth

Employment Requirements

• Both parents need to have worked for their current employer for three months prior to the birth or Formal Intent to Adopt (FIA)
• The spouse can still receive the Shared Parental Leave Benefit (SPB) to provide the same income support if the spouse is not working

Adoption Eligibility

Eligible for parents who have adopted (if their FIA is on or after 1 April 2026 and the child is a Singapore citizen)

How the 10 Weeks Can Be Shared and Used

Under the Singapore parental leave scheme, the 10 weeks will be divided equally, five weeks for each parent. But it’s up to couples. Couples can choose to allocate all the time to one parent if that’s what they agree is best for childcare purposes. Each parent can take 10 weeks (and the other parent zero weeks).

Key rules to note:

• Sharing arrangements can only be changed via LifeSG in the first four weeks after the child is born
• Any changes must be agreed with the employer after four weeks
• SPL must be taken within 12 months of the birth

Unless there has been agreement with the employer, SPL must be taken as a continuous block, within 26 weeks of the child’s birth, giving four weeks’ advance notice.

How to Apply: Singapore Working Parents’ Guide

The process of applying for Singapore parental leave needn’t be complicated. Here is how to apply:

1. To register your child’s birth on LifeSG, you will be asked to declare your SPL sharing arrangement
2. Ensure you inform the sharing arrangement within four weeks of the child’s birth on LifeSG
3. Notify your employer in writing as soon as practicable for planning
4. Your employer claims the government-funded leave in the Government-Paid Leave (GPL) Portal on the MOM website
5. Retain all documents for five years in case of an audit

If your child’s expected date of delivery (EDD) is 1 April 2026 or after but was born before 1 April 2026, you should contact MSF directly via the acknowledgement email you received after you registered your child’s birth, to check whether you are eligible for 10 weeks of SPL.

The extension of the Singapore parental leave policy is part of Singapore’s efforts to tackle the falling fertility rate and help working parents. Now available, totalling up to 30 weeks of paid leave, the 2026 changes are the biggest improvement to working parents’ benefits in Singapore for some time. Make sure you complete all the items in this checklist (and do them on time!) to claim all that you are eligible for.

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