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Singapore Annual Leave Guide 2026: Entitlement, Carry Forward & Leave Encashment

Annual leave is one of the most important employee benefits in Singapore. Under the Employment Act, eligible employees are entitled to paid annual leave based on their length of service.

📅 Quick Fact:
Employees are entitled to at least 7 days of annual leave after one year of service. The entitlement increases progressively with years of service up to a minimum of 14 days.

Who Is Eligible for Annual Leave?

Employees covered by the Singapore Employment Act are generally entitled to annual leave after completing at least three months of service.

Minimum Annual Leave Entitlement

1 Year Service → 7 Days
2 Years Service → 8 Days
3 Years Service → 9 Days
4 Years Service → 10 Days
5 Years Service → 11 Days
6 Years Service → 12 Days
7 Years Service → 13 Days
8 Years or More → 14 Days

Can Unused Leave Be Carried Forward?

Many employers allow annual leave to be carried forward into the following year. However, carry-forward policies differ between companies, so employees should always review their employment contracts and staff handbooks.

What Happens When You Resign?

Unused annual leave may either be encashed or used to offset notice periods, depending on company policy and mutual agreement between employer and employee.

Learn more in our Singapore Resignation Guide.

Common Annual Leave Mistakes