Domestic Helper Holidays & Rest Days in Hong Kong: 2026 Complete Calendar

Introduction

Every Hong Kong employer of a domestic helper needs to understand the holiday and rest day rules clearly. Get them wrong — even unintentionally — and you could face fines under the Employment Ordinance, or damage a working relationship you've invested time in building.

The good news: the rules are well-defined, and 2026 brings a small but important update — Easter Monday is now a statutory holiday, bringing the total to 15 statutory holidays for the year. This guide covers every entitlement your helper is due in 2026, including the full holiday calendar, rest day rules, annual leave, and how to handle edge cases like holidays falling on rest days.

2026 Statutory Holidays: The Full Calendar

Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong are entitled to 15 statutory holidays in 2026 — regardless of how long they have been employed. Even a helper who has worked for just one day is entitled to statutory holidays.

* Note: Holidays marked with an asterisk fall on Sundays or Saturdays in 2026. See the section below on what happens when holidays fall on rest days.

What's New in 2026

Easter Monday is added as a statutory holiday from 2026 onwards. This is part of a phased rollout of 5 additional statutory holidays under the Employment Ordinance, gazetted in July 2021:

• Buddha's Birthday — added from 2023
• First weekday after Christmas — added from 2024
• Easter Monday — added from 2026 ← new this year
• Good Friday — to be added from 2028
• Day following Good Friday — to be added from 2030

Weekly Rest Days

In addition to statutory holidays, every domestic helper is entitled to at least one full rest day (24 continuous hours) in every period of seven days.

What this means in practice:

• Rest days are typically Sundays, but can be any agreed day
• The rest day must be a full 24-hour period — not a half-day or shortened break
• During the rest day, your helper should be completely free from household duties
• Employers should not routinely require work on rest days

If you need your helper to work on a rest day in an emergency, you should compensate her accordingly and ideally arrange an alternative day off. Routine cancellation of rest days is not acceptable and may constitute a breach of the employment contract.

Why Rest Days Matter: The Data

According to a 2026 industry survey (based on 479 migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong):

• 46% of domestic workers have no fixed rest period (up from 39% in 2025)
• 9% never receive their mandatory weekly rest day — nearly double the 2025 figure of 5%
• 42% sleep only 4–6 hours per night

These figures are alarming. A helper who is chronically sleep-deprived and denied adequate rest performs worse, is more likely to leave, and is at higher risk of health problems. Employers who respect rest rights consistently report better relationships and more reliable help.

Annual Leave Entitlements

Annual leave is separate from statutory holidays and rest days. It's earned after completing 12 months of continuous employment with the same employer and increases with years of service.

Maximum entitlement: 14 days/year.

Arranging Annual Leave

• Timing is agreed mutually between employer and helper
• Employers should provide at least 14 days' written notice before the start of annual leave
• Annual leave should generally be taken consecutively unless both parties agree otherwise

Splitting annual leave:

• If entitled to 10 days or fewer: up to 3 days may be taken separately; remaining days must be consecutive
• If entitled to more than 10 days: at least 7 days must be taken consecutively

Annual Leave Pay

During annual leave, your helper receives her average daily wage plus her regular food allowance (if paid in cash rather than meals). Annual leave pay must not be reduced.

Key Rules for Statutory Holidays

Can I ask my helper to work on a statutory holiday?

Yes — but you must follow the rules:

1. Give your helper at least 48 hours' prior notice that she will be required to work
2. Arrange an alternative holiday within 60 days before or after the statutory holiday
3. Keep clear written records of any alternative holiday arrangements

You cannot simply pay extra money instead of granting the holiday. Payment in lieu of a statutory holiday is not permitted under the Employment Ordinance. If an employer fails to grant statutory holidays, they may face prosecution and a fine.

Does my helper get paid for statutory holidays?

Yes — if she has been employed under a continuous contract for at least 3 months before the holiday date. If she has worked fewer than 3 months, she is entitled to unpaid statutory holidays at the employer's discretion (she must still be given the day off, just without pay).

Holiday pay must be paid no later than the next payday after the statutory holiday.

What if a statutory holiday falls on a rest day?

If a statutory holiday falls on the helper's regular rest day, you must grant her another day off — the next day which is not a statutory holiday, alternative holiday, substituted holiday, or rest day.

In 2026, the following holidays fall on Sundays or Saturdays:

• 5 April — Ching Ming Festival (Sunday)
• 24 May — Birthday of the Buddha (Sunday)
• 26 September — Day following Mid-Autumn Festival (Saturday)
• 18 October — Chung Yeung Festival (Sunday)
• 26 December — First weekday after Christmas (Saturday)

For each of these, you should grant an alternative day off on the next available working day.

Home Leave

Under the Standard Employment Contract, your helper is entitled to at least 7 days of vacation leave during the contract period to return to her country of origin. This home leave is separate from annual leave and statutory holidays.

The employer covers the cost of the return airfare. Whether home leave is paid depends on what both parties have agreed to in the contract.

Home leave and annual leave can be combined if both parties agree, allowing for a longer uninterrupted trip home.

Summary: Your Helper's Full Leave Entitlements in 2026

Conclusion

Understanding and honouring your helper's holiday and rest day entitlements isn't just a legal obligation — it's one of the most effective things you can do to build a positive, long-lasting working relationship.

Helpers who receive proper rest and regular days off are healthier, more motivated, and less likely to leave. In 2026, with 15 statutory holidays, a weekly rest day, and annual leave building up to 14 days, the framework is clear. The key is consistency, communication, and treating these entitlements as non-negotiable from day one.

HelperEx helps Hong Kong families find reliable, verified domestic helpers and understand their legal obligations — so you can hire with confidence and manage your household fairly.

FAQ

How many statutory holidays does a domestic helper get in 2026? 15 statutory holidays in 2026, up from 14 in 2025. Easter Monday is now included as a statutory holiday from 2026 onwards.

Does my helper get paid for statutory holidays? Yes, provided she has worked under a continuous contract for at least 3 months before the holiday date. Holiday pay must be made by the next payday after the holiday. Helpers with under 3 months of service are still entitled to the day off, but it is unpaid.

Can I pay my helper instead of giving her a day off on a public holiday? No. You cannot substitute payment in lieu of a statutory holiday. You must grant the actual day off (or an alternative day within 60 days, with 48 hours' notice). Failure to do so may result in prosecution.

What happens when a public holiday falls on my helper's rest day? You must grant an alternative holiday — the next day that is not already a holiday, alternative holiday, or rest day. In 2026, Ching Ming, Buddha's Birthday, Mid-Autumn, Chung Yeung, and Boxing Day all fall on weekends.

How much annual leave does my helper get? 7 days/year for the first two years, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 14 days from year 9 onwards. Annual leave is only available after completing 12 months of continuous employment with the same employer.