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Annual Leave and Public Holidays in China

Ikky Ma May 4, 2025
Annual Leave and Public Holidays in China

China’s leave system combines statutory holidays with annual leave entitlements, creating a unique framework that differs significantly from Western practices.

This guide provides expats with current, practical information on navigating China’s holiday system, understanding your legal entitlements, and effectively planning your time off in 2025.

1. Legal Framework for Leave in China

China’s leave policies are governed by several key regulations that establish minimum standards for all employees, including expatriates.

Key Legislation Governing Leave Entitlements

LegislationYear EnactedKey ProvisionsApplicability to Foreigners
Labor Law of the PRC1995Establishes basic right to paid leaveApplies to all employees including foreigners
Labor Contract Law2008Requires leave terms in employment contractsApplies to all formal employment relationships
Regulations on Paid Annual Leave for Employees2008Details specific annual leave entitlementsPrimary regulation for annual leave calculation
State Council Holiday Arrangement NoticesUpdated annuallySets official holiday calendarDefines public holiday schedule

Important Note for Expats: While these laws apply to all employees in China, employment contracts for expatriates may include additional provisions that exceed statutory minimums. Always refer to your specific contract terms.

2. Public Holidays in China for 2025

China’s public holiday schedule is announced annually by the State Council, with dates for traditional lunar calendar holidays varying each year.

Official 2025 Public Holiday Schedule

Holiday2025 DatesOfficial Days OffWork Makeup Days
New Year’s DayJan 1 (Wed)1 dayNone
Spring FestivalJan 28-Feb 48 daysJan 26 (Sun), Feb 8 (Sat)
Qingming FestivalApr 4-63 daysNone
Labor DayMay 1-55 daysApr 27 (Sat)
Dragon Boat FestivalMay 31-Jun 23 daysNone
Mid-Autumn Festival & National DayOct 1-88 daysOct 11 (Sat)

Source: Official State Council Holiday Announcement (Note: The 2025 schedule is typically released in late 2024)

Understanding “Work Makeup Days”

China’s unique holiday system often rearranges weekends to create longer continuous holiday periods:

  • Weekend shifts: The government designates certain weekends as working days to “make up” for weekdays that become holidays
  • Example: For Spring Festival 2025, Sunday January 19 and Sunday February 2 become working days to compensate for extended weekday holidays
  • Mandatory compliance: These adjustments are legally binding for all employers and employees

3. Annual Leave Entitlements

Beyond public holidays, employees in China are entitled to paid annual leave based on their total working years.

Statutory Annual Leave Allowance

Total Working YearsStatutory Annual LeaveCommon Expat PackageLeave Calculation Period
Less than 1 yearProrated based on months workedOften negotiated separatelyCalendar year (Jan-Dec)
1-9 years5 working days10-15 working daysCalendar year (Jan-Dec)
10-19 years10 working days15-20 working daysCalendar year (Jan-Dec)
20+ years15 working days20-25 working daysCalendar year (Jan-Dec)

Important Clarifications:

  • “Total working years” includes all employment, not just with current employer
  • Previous employment outside China is typically counted for expatriates
  • Annual leave is calculated on a calendar year basis (January to December)

Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security

Industry-Specific Variations

IndustryTypical Variation from StandardReason
EducationLonger fixed holidays, less flexible annual leaveFollows academic calendar
TechnologyMore flexible leave policies, occasional “unlimited” leaveCompetitive talent attraction
ManufacturingStricter leave scheduling, often around production cyclesProduction continuity requirements
FinanceStandard leave with blackout periodsRegulatory reporting periods
Foreign-invested enterprisesMore generous leave policiesInternational standards

4. Leave During Probation Period

Many expats are unclear about leave entitlements during probation periods, which typically range from 1-6 months.

Leave TypeEntitlement During ProbationLegal Basis
Annual LeaveAccrued but often not permitted to useLabor Contract Law
Public HolidaysFully entitledLabor Law
Sick LeaveEntitled with proper medical documentationMedical Leave Regulations
Personal LeaveAt employer discretionCompany policy

Best Practice: Clarify probation leave policies before signing your employment contract, as practices vary widely among employers.

5. Holiday Pay and Compensation

Understanding how holiday work is compensated is essential for expats who may be asked to work during holidays.

Compensation for Holiday Work

SituationLegal Minimum CompensationCommon Practice
Working on public holidays300% of normal wages300% pay or equivalent time off
Working on annual leave days200% of normal wages or alternative day offAlternative day off plus compensation
Unused annual leave200% of daily wage per unused dayPayout at end of year or contract

Legal Requirement: Employers must compensate employees who are unable to take their annual leave due to work requirements at 200% of their daily wage for each unused day.

Source: Regulations on Paid Annual Leave for Employees, Article 10

6. Regional Variations in Holiday Observance

China’s provinces and autonomous regions sometimes observe additional local holidays or have different practices.

Notable Regional Holiday Variations

RegionAdditional HolidaysDetails
Hong Kong SARDifferent holiday scheduleObserves Hong Kong public holidays, not mainland schedule
Macau SARDifferent holiday scheduleCombines Chinese and Portuguese holiday traditions
Tibet Autonomous RegionTibetan New Year, Shoton FestivalAdditional local holidays with regional significance
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous RegionCorban Festival, Roza FestivalMuslim holidays observed regionally
Ethnic minority areasVarious traditional festivalsLocal governments may grant additional time off

Expat Tip: If working in areas with significant ethnic minority populations, check with local HR departments about additional observed holidays.

7. Leave Application Process and Best Practices

Understanding the typical leave request process in Chinese workplaces helps avoid misunderstandings.

Standard Leave Application Timeline

Leave DurationTypical Required NoticeApproval ProcessDocumentation
1-2 days3-7 days in advanceDirect supervisor approvalInternal leave form
3-5 days1-2 weeks in advanceDepartment head approvalInternal leave form
5+ days2-4 weeks in advanceSenior management approvalDetailed leave plan
During busy periods1+ month in advanceMultiple approvals may be requiredJustification may be needed

Cultural Insight: In Chinese workplace culture, leave requests are often seen as negotiable rather than absolute entitlements. Building good relationships with supervisors can significantly impact leave approval.

8. Leave Carryover and Expiration Policies

Understanding what happens to unused leave is particularly important for expats.

ScenarioLegal RequirementCommon PracticeExpat Consideration
Unused annual leaveMust be compensated at 200%Some companies allow partial carryoverNegotiate carryover in contract
Maximum carryover periodNot specified in lawTypically until end of Q1 next yearUse or lose by specified date
Contract terminationUnused leave must be compensatedCalculated in final settlementEnsure documentation of unused days

Legal Protection: According to Article 10 of the Regulations on Paid Annual Leave, employers cannot cancel employees’ annual leave entitlement. If employees cannot take leave due to work requirements, they must be compensated.

9. Sick Leave vs. Annual Leave

Many expats confuse sick leave with annual leave entitlements in China.

Comparison of Leave Types

AspectAnnual LeaveSick LeavePersonal Leave
Legal basisGuaranteed by lawGuaranteed by lawCompany discretion
Duration5-15 days based on service yearsBased on medical condition and service lengthVaries by company
Compensation100% of salary60-100% based on service length and conditionOften unpaid or partially paid
DocumentationSimple request formMedical certificate requiredVaries by company
Approval processPlanned in advanceNotification as soon as possibleVaries by company

Sick Leave Entitlement: The standard sick leave allowance ranges from 3 months to 24 months depending on total working years and severity of illness, with compensation ranging from 60% to 100% of regular wages.

10. Optimizing Your Time Off in 2025

Strategic planning can help expats maximize their time off by combining annual leave with public holidays.

2025 Strategic Leave Planning Opportunities

Holiday PeriodStrategyDays UsedTotal Break
Spring Festival (Jan 25-31)Take Jan 20-24 as annual leave5 days16 days (Jan 18-Feb 2)
Labor Day (May 1-5)Take Apr 28-30 as annual leave3 days10 days (Apr 26-May 5)
National Day (Oct 1-7)Take Sep 29-30 as annual leave2 days9 days (Sep 27-Oct 5)
Christmas/New YearTake Dec 26-31 as annual leave5 days9 days (Dec 25-Jan 2, 2026)

Planning Tip: Book popular holiday periods well in advance, as many companies limit the number of employees who can take leave simultaneously during peak periods.

11. Dispute Resolution for Leave Issues

Knowing your rights and the proper channels for addressing leave disputes is essential for expats.

Steps for Resolving Leave Disputes

  1. Review your contract and relevant company policies
  2. Discuss with HR and provide documentation of your entitlement
  3. Consult the local Labor Bureau (劳动局) for guidance
  4. File a formal complaint with the Labor Dispute Arbitration Committee if necessary
  5. Seek legal counsel specializing in employment law for foreigners

Resource: China Labor Dispute Resolution Guide

Conclusion

Understanding China’s leave system requires attention to both statutory requirements and company-specific policies.

While the legal framework establishes minimum standards, actual practices vary widely across industries and regions.

By familiarizing yourself with both the legal entitlements and cultural expectations surrounding leave, expats can better navigate time off in China while maintaining positive workplace relationships.

For the most current information, always check the official government announcements for holiday schedules and consult your employment contract for specific leave entitlements.

Additional Resources:

  • China Briefing: HR and Payroll
  • American Chamber of Commerce in China
  • European Union Chamber of Commerce in China
  • China’s Official Government Portal

About the Author

Ikky Ma

Administrator

This page features all articles and posts by Ikky, the owner of the blog named ikkyinchina.com

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