Hong Kong Domestic Helper Statutory Holidays 2026
Domestic helpers in Hong Kong are entitled to 15 statutory holidays in 2026 — one more than last year, because Easter Monday (Apr 6) joins the statutory list for the first time. These are the days your employer must grant under the Employment Ordinance, on top of your weekly rest day. The full dates are below, followed by the rules on substitute days, holiday pay and why cash-in-lieu is not allowed.
Dates in 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | The first day of JanuaryStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| February 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Lunar New Year's DayStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| February 18, 2026 | Wednesday | The second day of Lunar New YearStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| February 19, 2026 | Thursday | The third day of Lunar New YearStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | Ching Ming FestivalStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter MondayNewly added as a statutory holiday from 2026 onwards.Statutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour DayStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | The Birthday of the BuddhaStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| June 19, 2026 | Friday | Tuen Ng FestivalStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| July 1, 2026 | Wednesday | HKSAR Establishment DayStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| September 26, 2026 | Saturday | The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn FestivalStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| October 1, 2026 | Thursday | National DayStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| October 18, 2026 | Sunday | Chung Yeung FestivalStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| December 22, 2026 | Tuesday | Winter Solstice or Christmas DayDec 22 (Winter Solstice) or Dec 25 (Christmas) — at the option of the employer.Statutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
| December 26, 2026 | Saturday | The first weekday after Christmas DayStatutory holiday | Statutory holiday |
Holiday rules every helper and employer should know
Domestic helpers are entitled to every statutory holiday from the first day of employment — length of service does not matter. Holiday pay is a separate entitlement: it kicks in once the helper has been employed under a continuous contract for three months preceding the holiday.
An employer cannot pay money instead of granting the holiday — "buying out" a statutory holiday is an offence under the Employment Ordinance. If the helper agrees to work on a statutory holiday, the employer must arrange an alternative holiday within 60 days before or after it, with at least 48 hours’ notice.
Statutory holidays are separate from the weekly rest day (24 continuous hours). When a statutory holiday falls on a rest day, the holiday should be granted on the next day that is not a rest day, statutory holiday or alternative holiday. Note that the 17 general (public) holidays are not automatic for helpers — the statutory list is the legal minimum, though many employers voluntarily grant the full general list.
Official sources & data
- General Holidays for 2026Visit sourceGovHK
- Statutory Holidays for 2026Visit sourceLabour Department, HKSAR
- Hong Kong Public Holidays iCalVisit source1823, HKSAR Government
Frequently asked questions
How many statutory holidays do domestic helpers get in Hong Kong in 2026?+
15 days. Easter Monday (Apr 6, 2026) becomes a statutory holiday for the first time, lifting the count from 14 to 15. The dates are listed in the table above.
Do domestic helpers get all 17 public holidays in Hong Kong?+
Not automatically. The legal minimum is the 15 statutory holidays. Many employers voluntarily grant the 17 general holidays, but that is the employer’s choice, not an Employment Ordinance requirement.
Can my employer pay me money instead of giving the statutory holiday?+
No. Paying cash in lieu of a statutory holiday ("buy-out") is prohibited under the Employment Ordinance and is an offence, regardless of whether the helper agrees.
What happens if I work on a statutory holiday in 2026?+
Your employer must arrange an alternative holiday within 60 days before or after the statutory holiday and give you at least 48 hours’ notice of the arranged day.
What if a statutory holiday falls on my rest day?+
The holiday should be granted on the next day that is not a rest day, another statutory holiday or an alternative holiday — you should not lose the day off.
Do I get holiday pay for statutory holidays as a new helper?+
You are entitled to the day off from day one, but holiday pay starts once you have been employed under a continuous contract for 3 months preceding the holiday.