2026 Domestic Helper Statutory Holidays in Hong Kong: Full List and Guide

(Updated on January 01, 2026)

Statutory holidays are mandatory holidays for domestic workers according to the Hong Kong law – all foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong are entitled to the 14 statutory holidays annually regardless of their length of service. Even if your domestic helper has worked for you for only one day, she is still entitled to the statutory holiday.

For a full overview of leave entitlements, you may also refer to: Domestic Helper Annual Leave and Holidays in Hong Kong — Your Complete FAQ Guide

The list of Hong Kong statutory holidays

The 15 statutory holidays for the year 2026 are:

1. The first day of January – 01 January 2026, Thursday
2. Lunar New Year’s Day – 17 February 2026, Tuesday
3. The second day of Lunar New Year – 18 February 2026, Wednesday
4. The third day of Lunar New Year – 19 February 2026, Thursday
5. The day following Ching Ming Festival – 06 April 2026, Monday
6. The day following Easter Monday – 07 April 2026, Tuesday
7. Labour Day – 01 May 2026, Friday
8. The day following the Birthday of the Buddha – 25 May 2026, Monday
9. Tuen Ng Festival / Dragon Boat Festival – 19 June 2026, Friday
10. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day – 01 July 2026, Wednesday
11. The day following the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival – 26 September 2026, Saturday
12. National Day – 01 October 2026, Thursday
13. The day following Chung Yeung Festival – 19 October 2026, Monday
14. Christmas Day – 25 December 2026, Friday
15. The first weekday after Christmas Day – 26 December 2026, Saturday

As Ching Ming Festival, the Birthday of the Buddha, and the Chung Yeung Festival all fall on Sundays in 2026, the following day will be designated as a substitute general holiday. Since the day after Ching Ming coincides with Easter Monday, the next non-holiday weekday will be observed instead

Rules about domestic helper statutory holidays in Hong Kong

It is up to you to decide whether you should give your domestic worker the day off on General Holidays, but it is always nice to give them the day off if you are not working yourself and don’t need them.

However, clear rules exist and apply when it comes to Statutory Holidays in Hong Kong:

1. Statutory Holidays are mandatory – you must give your maid the day off.
2. They are mandatory irrespective of the length of service – no matter if your domestic helper has been with you for 2 years or only 2 days, she must have the day off.
3. If your domestic helper has been with you for at least 3 months under a continuous contract, she is entitled to paid statutory holidays. If she has been with you for less than 3 months she is entitled to statutory holidays. However, in such a case, it is strictly up to you to decide whether you want to pay her or not.
4. All statutory holidays must be taken off – you cannot pay your domestic worker to work on a statutory holiday (even if you pay her extra). Note that any payment made in lieu of statutory holidays can result in a fine.
5. If for some reason, you need your housemaid to work on a statutory holiday, you must give her at least a 48 hours’ prior notice and arrange an alternative holiday within a 2-month period before or after the statutory holiday.
6. Should the statutory holiday fall on your domestic helper’s usual rest day, you should grant her a mandatory holiday either on the following day, which is not a statutory holiday, or you can also choose to grant her an alternative holiday, a substituted holiday, or a rest day. Simply put, you are not allowed to let your domestic helper take her rest day when it is a statutory holiday. Note that this shouldn’t happen on a Sunday because the statutory holidays will then automatically be moved to the following Monday.

What About General Holidays (Public Holidays)?

In addition to the 16 statutory holidays for 2026, Hong Kong also observes general holidays, such as:

• Good Friday

• Easter Saturday

• Easter Monday

Employers are not legally required to give domestic helpers general holidays. However, many employers choose to do so as a goodwill gesture, especially if they are not working themselves. Offering general holidays can help your helper rest and often boosts morale and trust.

Staying Compliant Builds Better Working Relationships

Understanding statutory holidays is more than a legal obligation—it’s an important part of building a fair, respectful, and positive employer–helper relationship. When employers plan holidays properly and communicate clearly, it creates trust and long-term stability for both sides.

At HelperChoice, we support employers at every stage—from finding a domestic helper, to contract and visa renewal, and ensuring compliance with Hong Kong employment regulations. If you need help with visa processing, renewal, or understanding your responsibilities as an employer, our team is here to guide you.

👉 Need assistance with hiring or visa renewal for a Filipino helper?
You can contact the HelperChoice team via WhatsApp. Most visa renewals take around two weeks, and our visa processing packages typically include mandatory two-year insurance coverage for domestic helpers.

We’re here to make ethical hiring and compliance simple, transparent, and stress-free.

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• Domestic Helper Annual Leaves and Holidays in Hong Kong – Your Complete FAQ Guide
• Domestic Helper Rest Days
• Essential Steps to Domestic Helper Visa Processing in Hong Kong
• Cost of Hiring A Domestic Helper In Hong Kong
• Find A Domestic Helper Online
• Visa Renewal For Filipino Maid