Foreign domestic helpers receive statutory holidays separately from weekly rest days and annual leave. Easter Monday became a statutory holiday in 2026, bringing the total to 15 in both 2026 and 2027. Use the calendars below for planning, and verify individual arrangements against current Labour Department guidance.
15 days
Statutory Holidays in 2026
15 days
Statutory Holidays in 2027
48 hours
Minimum Notice Before Holiday Work
2026 Statutory Holiday Calendar
| Statutory holiday | Official 2026 date | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| The first day of January | 1 January 2026 (Thursday) | New Year's Day |
| Lunar New Year's Day | 17 February 2026 (Tuesday) | First Lunar New Year holiday |
| The second day of Lunar New Year | 18 February 2026 (Wednesday) | Second Lunar New Year holiday |
| The third day of Lunar New Year | 19 February 2026 (Thursday) | Third Lunar New Year holiday |
| Ching Ming Festival | 5 April 2026 (Sunday) | If Sunday is the rest day, grant the required holiday after it |
| Easter Monday | 6 April 2026 (Monday) | New statutory holiday from 2026 |
| Labour Day | 1 May 2026 (Friday) | Fixed date |
| The Birthday of the Buddha | 24 May 2026 (Sunday) | Check rest-day overlap arrangements |
| Tuen Ng Festival | 19 June 2026 (Friday) | Dragon Boat Festival |
| HKSAR Establishment Day | 1 July 2026 (Wednesday) | Fixed date |
| The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival | 26 September 2026 (Saturday) | Official statutory date |
| National Day | 1 October 2026 (Thursday) | Fixed date |
| Chung Yeung Festival | 18 October 2026 (Sunday) | Labour Department example uses 19 October where Sunday is the rest day |
| Chinese Winter Solstice Festival or Christmas Day | 22 or 25 December 2026 (Tuesday or Friday) | Employer chooses one of these two dates |
| The first weekday after Christmas Day | 26 December 2026 (Saturday) | Official statutory date |
2027 Statutory Holiday Calendar
| Statutory holiday | Official 2027 date | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| The first day of January | 1 January 2027 (Friday) | New Year's Day |
| Lunar New Year's Day | 6 February 2027 (Saturday) | First Lunar New Year holiday |
| The third day of Lunar New Year | 8 February 2027 (Monday) | The second day falls on Sunday |
| The fourth day of Lunar New Year | 9 February 2027 (Tuesday) | Designated in place of the Sunday second day |
| Easter Monday | 29 March 2027 (Monday) | Statutory from 2026 onward |
| Ching Ming Festival | 5 April 2027 (Monday) | Official statutory date |
| Labour Day | 1 May 2027 (Saturday) | Fixed date |
| The Birthday of the Buddha | 13 May 2027 (Thursday) | Official statutory date |
| Tuen Ng Festival | 9 June 2027 (Wednesday) | Dragon Boat Festival |
| HKSAR Establishment Day | 1 July 2027 (Thursday) | Fixed date |
| The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival | 16 September 2027 (Thursday) | Official statutory date |
| National Day | 1 October 2027 (Friday) | Fixed date |
| Chung Yeung Festival | 8 October 2027 (Friday) | Official statutory date |
| Chinese Winter Solstice Festival or Christmas Day | 22 or 25 December 2027 (Wednesday or Saturday) | Employer chooses one of these two dates |
| The first weekday after Christmas Day | 27 December 2027 (Monday) | Official statutory date |
2027 Lunar New Year note: the second day of Lunar New Year falls on Sunday, so the fourth day of Lunar New Year (9 February) is designated as a statutory holiday. Always use the Labour Department's published calendar when scheduling.
Why the Statutory Holiday List Changed in 2026
The Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 progressively increases statutory holidays. Easter Monday was added from 1 January 2026, raising the annual total from 14 to 15. Good Friday is not yet a statutory holiday: it is scheduled to be added in 2028, with the day following Good Friday scheduled for 2030.
Statutory Holidays vs General Holidays
Statutory holidays are employment entitlements under the Employment Ordinance and apply to foreign domestic helpers. General holidays are the broader bank-and-office holiday calendar. A date can be a general holiday without yet being a statutory holiday. For example, Good Friday is a general holiday in 2026 and 2027 but is not a statutory holiday in those years; Easter Monday is both from 2026.
If a Holiday Overlaps a Rest Day
A statutory holiday and a weekly rest day are separate entitlements. If the statutory holiday falls on the helper's rest day, grant the holiday on the following day that is not itself a statutory holiday, alternative holiday, substituted holiday or rest day. The holiday is not lost simply because the regular rest day is Sunday.
Can a Helper Work on a Statutory Holiday?
An employer may require work on a statutory holiday only by giving at least 48 hours' prior notice and arranging an alternative holiday within 60 days before or after the statutory holiday. If the employer appoints the alternative date, the helper should receive at least 48 hours' notice of that date.
- Discuss the need to work before finalising the family schedule.
- Give at least 48 hours' notice before the statutory holiday.
- Record the agreed or appointed alternative-holiday date.
- Grant that alternative holiday within the permitted 60-day window.
- Do not replace the statutory holiday with cash; payment in lieu is not allowed.
Statutory Holiday Pay and the Three-Month Rule
Every employee covered by the Employment Ordinance is entitled to statutory holidays regardless of hours worked or length of service. Holiday pay becomes due when the helper has been employed under a continuous contract for at least three months immediately before the holiday. The Labour Department calculates holiday pay from average daily wages over the preceding 12-month period, or the shorter employment period where applicable.
Holiday pay is not payment in lieu of granting the holiday. An eligible helper receives the holiday and the applicable holiday pay; employers cannot buy out the day off.
Statutory Holidays, Rest Days and Annual Leave
| Entitlement | Basic rule | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory holiday | 15 official dates in 2026 and 2027 | Holiday pay requires three months under a continuous contract |
| Rest day | At least one rest day in every seven-day period | Separate from a statutory holiday |
| Annual leave | Paid leave based on length of service | Must not be deducted for a statutory holiday |
Employer Checklist
- 1
Mark all 15 dates
Add the correct calendar for the relevant year.
- 2
Confirm the December choice
Record whether Winter Solstice or Christmas Day will be the statutory holiday.
- 3
Check rest-day overlaps
Keep both entitlements and schedule the required holiday correctly.
- 4
Plan holiday work early
Give at least 48 hours' notice and arrange the alternative date within 60 days.
- 5
Check holiday-pay eligibility
Confirm whether three months of continuous employment has been completed.
- 6
Keep a simple written record
Note holidays taken, alternative dates and holiday pay.
- 7
Recheck official guidance
Use the Labour Department pages before making final arrangements.
Plan the Employment Journey with SeekHelpers
Holiday planning is one part of a clear employment relationship. SeekHelpers helps Hong Kong employers understand the hiring journey, compare verified helper profiles and prepare for contract and visa steps. For related practical guidance, use the guides below and confirm legal requirements with the relevant government department.
- Domestic helper annual leave guide
- Domestic helper rest day guide
- Domestic helper contract renewal and termination guide
Official Sources
- Labour Department: Statutory Holidays for 2026
- Labour Department: Statutory Holidays for 2027
- Labour Department: Foreign Domestic Helpers' Corner
- Immigration Department: Foreign Domestic Helpers and Standard Employment Contract guidance
SeekHelpers (EA 82832) helps Hong Kong employers find verified domestic helpers and navigate hiring, contract and visa steps with practical support. Always confirm statutory-holiday arrangements with the Labour Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the questions employers ask most about this topic.
How many statutory holidays do domestic helpers get in 2026 and 2027?
Foreign domestic helpers are entitled to 15 statutory holidays in 2026 and 15 in 2027. These holidays are separate from weekly rest days and annual leave.
Is Easter Monday a statutory holiday for domestic helpers?
Yes. Easter Monday became a statutory holiday from 1 January 2026 under the phased increase introduced by the Employment (Amendment) Ordinance 2021.
Is Good Friday a statutory holiday for domestic helpers in 2026 or 2027?
No. Good Friday is a general holiday but is not a statutory holiday in 2026 or 2027. It is scheduled to become a statutory holiday from 2028.
Can a domestic helper work on a statutory holiday?
Yes, if the employer gives at least 48 hours' prior notice and grants an alternative holiday within 60 days before or after the statutory holiday. Working on the date does not remove the helper's holiday entitlement.
What happens when a statutory holiday falls on Sunday or another rest day?
The statutory holiday is not lost. The employer should grant the holiday on the following day that is not itself a statutory holiday, alternative holiday, substituted holiday or rest day.
Can an employer pay a domestic helper instead of granting a statutory holiday?
No. An employer cannot make payment in lieu of granting a statutory holiday. If the helper is required to work, an alternative holiday must still be arranged under the statutory rules.
Can a statutory holiday be deducted from a helper's annual leave?
No. Statutory holidays and annual leave are separate entitlements, so a statutory holiday must not be counted as or deducted from annual leave.
When is a domestic helper eligible for statutory holiday pay?
A helper is entitled to the statutory holiday regardless of length of service. Holiday pay is due after the helper has been employed under a continuous contract for at least three months immediately before the holiday.
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