Annual Leave & Other Leave Policies in Hong Kong

Annual Leave Entitlement in Hong Kong

Employees in Hong Kong are entitled to paid annual leave based on:

• Employee has worked for 18 hours per week for 4 consecutive weeks.
• Employed for not less than 3 months.
• Accumulated entitlement for current year can be used in the following year.

Entitlement as per HK Labour Ordinance

• Annual leave ranges from 7-14 days dependent on year of services.

Market Practice: Most companies will allow employees to take current annual leave after 3 months of employment. Annual leave is usually offered at 12-25 days per year depending on grading.

Regulations and Compliance

Employers must comply with the Employment Ordinance regarding annual leave entitlements. This includes:

• Accrual of Leave: Employees begin accruing leave from the commencement of employment.
• Carrying Forward Leave: Employers and employees can agree to carry forward unused leave to the next year.
• Payment for Unused Leave: Upon termination of employment, employees must be paid for any accrued but unused annual leave.

Statutory Leave Types in Hong Kong

In addition to annual leave, employees in Hong Kong are entitled to various other types of leave under the Employment Ordinance:

General Public Holidays: The following list of general holidays for 2026 includes:

2026 Public Holidays in Hong Kong

Maternity Leave:

• Eligibility for 14 weeks paid maternity leave if:
  • Female employees is under a continuous employment contract for no less than 40 weeks.
  • Medical certificate or evidence supporting is required to be provided to the employer.

•  Entitlement:
  • 14 weeks maternity leave and maternity leave paid at 80% (four-fifths) of Average Daily Wage.
  • When to take:
    • The 14 weeks leave would start 4 weeks before the expected date of birth, unless the employer and employee can agree on a date, which would usually be between 2 and 4 weeks before the birth.

Reimbursement of Maternity Leave Pay Scheme (RMLPS):

Launched on 1 April 2021, the Hong Kong Government will reimburse employers for the cost of the 11th to 14th weeks of statutory maternity leave pay, capped at HK$80,000 per employee.

• Submission Time: Within 3 months from the last day of Maternity Leave.
• Application Method: Online through the Reimbursement Easy Portal (REP)
• Supporting Documents: Business Registration Copy, Proof of company bank account, Employee’s declaration, Payment proof of 14 weeks’ maternity leave pay, Birth certificate or pregnancy proof.

Hong Kong employers should be aware that as of 24 April 2026, the Hospital Authority has replaced paper maternity leave certificates with electronic versions. Issued with a digital signature, these carry the same legal effect as traditional paper certificates. All certificates are stored in the HA Go mobile app, and each includes an encrypted QR code for easy verification. Printed copies remain available where needed.

Paternity Leave:

• Under the Ordinance, male employees will be entitled paternity leave after 40 weeks employment.
  • Entitled to 5 days at 80% paid Paternity leave for each confinement of spouse if he:
    • Is the father of a newborn or is a father-to-be,
    • Has been employed under a continous contract for at least 40 weeks,
    • Has notified his employer.
  • Must be taken within 4 weeks before the expected date of delivery of the child to 14 weeks.
  • Can be taken separately or consecutively.

Government Sick Leave Allowance:

• Eligibility:
  • Employee is under a continous contract,
  • Must take 4 or more consecutive days of sick leave,
  • Have doctor certificate stating number of days required,
  • Accumulated sufficient entitlement.

• Entitlement accumulation:
  • Entitled to 2 days upon completion of each month service from date join.
  • First year accumulation = 2 days per month.
  • Accumulation after first year = 4 days per month.
  • Maximum accumulation = 120 days.

• Sickness Allowance Pay:
  • 80% (four-fifths) of average daily wages.

Market Practice: Company normally will provide better sick leave benefit to employee at 100% sick leave pay per year and there is no restriction on 4 or more consecutive days.

Please note that all the information listed below are to be used as a general guideline. For more detailed accounts of Hong Kong employment laws and regulations, please visit the official governmental websites.

Updated on: April 2026