Employees in Macau are entitled to paid annual leave after completing one year of continuous service with the same employer:
Employers may choose to provide more generous leave entitlements as part of company policy, but they cannot offer less than the statutory minimum.
The employee’s right to annual leave shall not be affected by justified absences.
Employees are entitled to 10 mandatory public holidays under Article 44 of Macau’s Labour Law.
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January |
| Lunar New Year’s Day | 29 January |
| Second Day of Lunar New Year | 30 January |
| Third Day of Lunar New Year | 31 January |
| Cheng Ming Festival | 4 April |
| Good Friday | 18 April |
| The Day before Easter | 19 April |
| Labour Day | 1 May |
| The Buddha’s Birthday (Feast of Buddha) | 5 May |
| Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) | 31 May |
| National Day of the People’s Republic of China | 1 October |
| The Day Following National Day of the People’s Republic of China | 2 October |
| The Day Following Chong Chao (Mid-Autumn) Festival | 7 October |
| Chong Yeung Festival (Festival of Ancestors) | 29 October |
| All Soul’s Day | 2 November |
| Feast of Immaculate Conception | 8 December |
| Macao S.A.R. Establishment Day | 20 December |
| Winter Solstice | 21 December |
| Christmas Eve | 24 December |
| Christmas Day | 25 December |
The above reflects the official 2025 holiday schedule published by the Macao SAR Government.
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January |
| Lunar New Year’s Day | 17 February |
| Second Day of Lunar New Year | 18 February |
| Third Day of Lunar New Year | 19 February |
| Good Friday | 3 April |
| The Day before Easter | 4 April |
| Cheng Ming Festival | 5 April |
| Labour Day | 1 May |
| The Buddha’s Birthday (Feast of Buddha) | 24 May |
| Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival) | 19 June |
| The Day Following Chong Chao (Mid-Autumn) Festival | 26 September |
| National Day of the People’s Republic of China | 1 October |
| The Day Following National Day of the People’s Republic of China | 2 October |
| Chong Yeung Festival (Festival of Ancestors) | 18 October |
| All Soul’s Day | 2 November |
| Feast of Immaculate Conception | 8 December |
| Macao S.A.R. Establishment Day | 20 December |
| Winter Solstice | 22 Deecmber |
| Christmas Eve | 24 December |
| Christmas Day | 25 December |
Mandatory Rest Day
Employees are entitled to one rest day per week, usually Sunday, unless agreed otherwise.
Maternity Leave
Female employees are entitled to 70 days of paid maternity leave, of which at least 63 days must be taken after childbirth.
To qualify for paid maternity leave, the employee must have completed at least one year of service with the same employer.
Paternity Leave
To qualify for paid paternity leave, the employee must have completed at least one year of service.
Male employees are entitled to 5 days of paid paternity leave, which can be taken consecutively or separately, around the time of childbirth.
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 6 days of paid sick leave per year after completing their probationary period. Employers may provide more generous paid sick leave as part of company policy.
For employers, ensuring proper record-keeping and timely payment of wages during leave periods is critical. Non-compliance with statutory leave rules may result in penalties under Macau’s Labour Law. Many employers also choose to provide enhanced benefits to remain competitive, particularly in industries facing talent shortages.
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Annual leave and statutory leave entitlements in Macau provide employees with essential rest and work-life balance. For companies, understanding these rules not only ensures legal compliance but also builds a positive employer brand.
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Updated on: September 2025
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