In Singapore, dads are playing a bigger part in taking care of their young kids, and policies that support families are changing to keep up. As this shift happens, the rules for paternity leave have gotten much stronger. These changes aim to push dads to connect with their new babies without worrying too much about money or their jobs.
If you’re an HR manager, employer, or soon-to-be dad, this fresh guide breaks down the latest Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Government-Paid Leave rules for paternity leave in 2026. We cover entitlements, who qualifies how to schedule it, what employers must do, and tech solutions to make leave management a breeze.
Paternity Leave Entitlements in Singapore (2026)
Under the current system, working dads who qualify can get 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) if their kid is a Singapore citizen and the birth (or official plan to adopt) happens on or after April 1, 2025.
This four-week benefit shows how policies have changed. They’ve moved from the old 2-week standard to a bigger same-for-all perk. The goal? To help dads bond better with their newborns and share more in childcare duties.
Dads in Singapore get 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave for kids born on or after 1 April 2025.
Who Can Get Paternity Leave in Singapore?
To get GPPL under the new policy, a dad must meet all these requirements:
- Be the biological dad of the kid, or an adoptive father meeting legal requirement.
- Be wed to the kid’s mom (or meet specified adoptive requirements).
- Have a Singapore citizen kid (at birth or later).
- Have a steady job for at least 3 months before the kid’s birth or adoption date (this applies to both employees and eligible self-employed individuals).
This eligibility stands no matter how you work — full-time, part-time, contract work, or eligible self-employment — as long as you meet all requirements.
When Can Fathers Take Paternity Leave?
Dads can take paternity leave within 12 months after their child is born. They can plan their leave in different ways, if their employer agrees:
- As a single 4-week amount, or
- In separate days or weeks, as the employer and employee decide.
This bendable approach lets dads help with childcare based on what their family needs and how their work is set up.
Is Paternity Leave Paid in Singapore?
Yes. The government pays for paternity leave. Employers keep paying the father’s wages and get their money back through the Government Paid Leave Portal. The government caps the reimbursement at S$2,500 per week, including CPF contributions up to a total of S$10,000 for the full 4 weeks.
This means:
- Employees don’t lose any income while they bond with their child.
- Employers don’t have to shoulder any financial burden as long as they submit claims.
Employer Responsibilities Under the 2026 Policy
Employers must follow MOM, MSF, and Government-Paid Leave rules:
- Check if employees qualify for GPPL based on the legal requirements.
- Keep records of paternity leave used.
- Ask for money back through the Government Paid Leave Schemes website.
- Create a workplace where employees can take time off without feeling judged or treated.
- Stick to required notice times (four weeks before leave starts, but this can change if both sides agree).
Keeping track of leave manually can lead to mistakes, hold-ups, or legal issues — making digital systems to manage time off useful for HR teams.
Why Choose a Digital System to Manage Leave?
Handling paternity leave on your own — with spreadsheets and email chains — ups the chances of slip-ups and slowdowns. Using a specific HRMS or system to manage leave can help by:
- Working out who’s eligible and what they’re owed based on government rules without human input.
- Making it easier to apply for and okay leave with quick alerts.
- Keeping all leave records in one place to check and follow rules.
- Creating data ready to claim for getting money back.
Digital systems cut down on HR workload and help make sure companies stick to the rules with more leave options now available.
Why Encouraging Paternity Leave Matters
Paternity leave isn’t just optional — it helps build stronger family ties and boosts early child growth. Studies have shown that:
- Dads who take paid leave stay more involved in long-term caregiving, which strengthens their bond with their kids.
- When families share caregiving duties, it eases the load on moms and boosts the whole family’s well-being.
- Companies that make paternity leave normal and back it up often see happier employees lower turnover, and more satisfied employees.
Even with these upsides, some dads still hesitate to take leave because of social pressure and uncertainty. HR teams can step up to explain benefits and create a work environment that supports this choice.
Final Thoughts: Help Dads and Boost Culture
Singapore’s new parental leave rules — including the 4-week GPPL benefit — show a long-term plan to create family-friendly workplaces and encourage shared childcare duties. HR teams and employers should make sure these policies are simple to manage, follow the law, and don’t make anyone feel bad for using them. This will help get the best results.
Using things like digital HRMS systems and Leave Management Software can help companies keep tabs on benefits, stick to the rules, and back up employees during one of life’s biggest moments.
Give your employees a boost right when they become dads — Ask for a Demo now.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many weeks of paternity leave are fathers entitled to in Singapore (2026)?
Fathers who meet the requirements can take 4 weeks of Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL) for kids born on or after 1 April 2025.
Who qualifies for paternity leave in Singapore?
Dads can get this leave if they: Are married to the child’s mom, Have a child who is a Singapore citizen, Have worked non-stop for at least 3 months before the child’s birth (Similar rules apply for adoptive parents)
Can paternity leave be split into separate days?
Yes. Fathers can take the 4 weeks all at once or divide them into days or weeks. This depends on what the employer and employee agree on.
Is paternity leave paid in Singapore?
Yes. Companies pay full salaries during GPPL. The Government then pays them back, up to S$2,500 each week. This means a total of S$10,000 for 4 weeks.
How can employers handle paternity leave better?
Employers can use digital systems to manage leave. These systems can check who’s eligible, keep track of time off, save records, and make it easier to claim Government Paid Leave.
