Reference Guide
Singapore Working Day Rules, Public Holidays & Court Deadlines Guide
How Singapore deadlines are counted
- ROC 2021 excludes the start day; Day 1 is the following day.
- 6 days or fewer use working days; 7+ days use calendar days.
- If the final day is a non-court day, the deadline rolls to the next working day.
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Public Holidays & Employment
Start here for ordinary Singapore working-day and employment timing assumptions.
Legal & Property
Open these sections for ROC 2021, SOPA, and conveyancing timelines.
Public Holidays
Singapore Public Holidays Overview
At-a-Glance
- •11 gazetted public holidays each year (nationwide)
- •Fixed-date holidays: New Year's Day, Labour Day, National Day, Christmas Day
- •Variable holidays set by lunar/Islamic calendars (CNY, Hari Raya, Deepavali, Vesak)
- •If a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is a public holiday
Singapore observes 11 gazetted public holidays each year. These are statutory paid holidays under the Employment Act and apply nationwide. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announces the confirmed dates annually.
Fixed-Date Holidays
- New Year's Day - 1 January
- Labour Day - 1 May
- National Day - 9 August
- Christmas Day - 25 December
Variable-Date Holidays
- Chinese New Year (two days)
- Good Friday
- Hari Raya Puasa
- Vesak Day
- Hari Raya Haji
- Deepavali
Sunday Substitution Rule
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes the public holiday. This ensures employees do not lose their statutory day off.
Polling Day (Election Years Only)
In years with a general election or presidential election, Polling Day is gazetted as an additional public holiday (making 12 that year). By-election Polling Days are not public holidays.
For a deeper dive, see Singapore public holidays 2026 or the Court Filing scenario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Singapore has 11 gazetted public holidays each year, announced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
The next Monday is automatically a public holiday. If that Monday is already a public holiday, the substitute moves to the next working day, though overlapping substitute holidays are rare in practice.
No. Singapore has a single national holiday calendar with no regional variations.
No. Polling Day is only a public holiday for general elections and presidential elections, not for by-elections. When gazetted, it is an additional public holiday beyond the regular 11.
Yes. Part-time employees are entitled to public holidays on a pro-rated basis under the Employment Act.
Employment
Employment Act Working Day Rules
At-a-Glance
- •Employment Act applies to most employees, including managers and executives (though Part IV protections do not apply to managers and executives)
- •At least one rest day per week (typically Sunday, but rostered)
- •Public holidays are paid and separate from annual leave
- •Work on a public holiday generally requires time off in lieu or extra pay
The Employment Act is Singapore’s main labour law. It sets the baseline for rest days, public holiday entitlements, and pay rules when employees work on holidays.
Rest Days and Working Days
- Every employee must receive at least one rest day each week.
- Rest days can be rostered on any day with advance notice.
- A “working day” refers to any day an employee is scheduled to work that is not a rest day or public holiday.
Public Holiday Entitlements
- Public holidays are paid days off and are separate from annual leave.
- Part-time employees receive pro-rated public holiday entitlements.
- If a public holiday falls on an employee’s rest day, they are entitled to a day off in lieu on the next working day.
Working on a Public Holiday
Part IV employees are entitled to either an extra day’s basic pay or a day off in lieu. For managers and executives, time off in lieu is common by mutual agreement.
For a worked example, see the Employment Notice scenario or the article on Singapore notice periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
A rest day is a weekly day off without pay. Employers must give at least one rest day per week and can roster it on any day with notice to employees.
No. A non-working day (e.g., Saturday in a 5-day week) is not the same as a rest day. Pay rules differ if employees work on a rest day versus a non-working day.
Employees covered by Part IV of the Employment Act are entitled to an extra day's basic pay or a day off in lieu. For managers/executives, time off in lieu is common by agreement.
Yes. Public holiday entitlements are pro-rated based on hours worked relative to a full-time employee.
Topic
ROC 2021 Filing Deadlines & Non-Court Days
ROC 2021 counting logic, non-court days, and filing assumptions when litigation rules control the answer.
Topic
SOPA Adjudication Deadlines
Construction adjudication timing rules where short statutory periods make day-counting errors costly.
Topic
Property & Conveyancing Deadlines
Property transaction timing issues where working days, service timing, and practice expectations all matter.
