Paid leave, holidays, and rest days in China are important for anyone working or doing business there.

China just added more public holidays for 2025. Employees get special days off, plus extra paid leave based on how long they've worked. But that's not all—rest days are also protected by law, giving workers a real break.

Whether you're planning a trip, setting up a company, or just curious, knowing these rules can save you time and trouble. Read on to discover all the details!

Overview of Paid Leave and Rest Days in China

China's labor laws require employers to give you both paid leave and regular rest days. The system covers annual vacation, public holidays, and mandatory days off each week.

Key Definitions and Why They Matter

Paid leave includes vacation days, public holidays, and leave for reasons like sickness or family needs.

If you work full-time, you usually get at least one full day off per week. The standard workweek is 40 hours, often split into five 8-hour days.

Annual paid leave starts at 5 days per year for employees with 1-10 years of service. This increases if you've worked longer.

Public holidays are separate, with about 11 days each year when you do not need to work. It's important to know these terms so you can recognize your rights.

Below is a simple table for quick reference:

Check out all the important dates in our article: China Public Holidays Schedule & Chinese New Year 2025 for a full list of holidays and tips!

Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Special Leave in China

In China, you are entitled to several types of paid leave each year. The exact rules for annual leave, sick leave, and special leave depend on your employment status, how long you have worked, and other specific situations.

Annual Leave Rules (Entitlement, Accrual, Carryover, and Payment for Unused Leave)

Paid annual leave in China is based on how many years you have worked in total, not just with one employer.

You start earning annual leave only after one year. Public holidays and rest days are not counted as part of annual leave.

Unused annual leave should be carried over only to the next year.

If you do not use your leave, you should get paid for unused leave, usually at 200% of your regular daily wage for the unused days.

Sick Leave (Eligibility, Duration, Pay)

You are eligible for paid sick leave if you become ill or are injured and cannot work.

Sick leave can last from a few days up to 2 years depending on your years of service and the length of your illness. During sick leave, you will get a percentage of your regular pay.

The pay rate depends on your local rules, employer, and length of service, but it usually ranges from 60% to 100% of your normal pay.

You must provide a medical certificate from a certified doctor or hospital to be entitled to sick leave and pay. Both Chinese and foreign employees working in China are eligible.

Other Paid Leave (Maternity, Paternity, Marriage, Bereavement, Public Service)

You are also allowed several types of special paid leave aside from annual and sick leave:

• Maternity leave: Usually at least 98 days, sometimes longer depending on local laws.
• Paternity leave: Often ranges from 7 to 15 days based on region and employer policy.
• Marriage leave: Usually 3 days, but some provinces allow more.
• Bereavement leave: Normally 1 to 3 days for the death of close family members.
• Public service leave: Leave for official duties like jury service, which is usually paid.

Employers may ask for supporting documents, such as marriage or death certificates, before you can use these types of leave. These leaves are typically paid at your normal daily wage unless otherwise stated by local law.

Public Holidays and Rest Day Requirements

China sets clear rules for official public holidays, weekly rest days, and overtime pay for work during these periods.

You must pay close attention to national schedules and laws to ensure both compliance and fair treatment of employees.

Official Public Holidays for 2025

China observes several statutory paid holidays every year. For 2025, public holidays include the following:

On these days, employees are generally not required to work. If they do work, they must be paid at least 300% of their regular hourly wage for work during statutory holidays.

Make-Up Workdays and Regional Holidays

Sometimes, to create longer holiday breaks, China shifts workdays around official holidays. This may mean you work a weekend day to have a longer continuous break later. These are called make-up workdays.

The government releases an official holiday schedule each year that includes these adjustments. Regional holidays may also apply.

For example, certain minority regions have specific festivals as legal holidays, and you may receive time off depending on your location or ethnicity.

You must check annual government announcements for any adjustment to the national calendar or specific local regulations. Employers should communicate these changes in advance.

Weekly Rest Day Laws and Overtime on Rest Days

By law, employees in China must receive at least one full 24-hour rest day for every seven days worked. This rest day is usually on Saturday or Sunday, but employers can schedule it differently as long as it is a full 24-hour period with no work.

If you are required to work on a rest day and no substitute rest is given, you must be paid at 200% of your regular pay for those hours worked. This rule ensures workers get adequate time off or fair compensation if rest is not possible.

Paid annual leave does not include official rest days, public holidays, or additional types of leave like maternity or paternity leave. The distinction between different types of leave is important for both payroll and scheduling.

Also dive into our article, Chinese Work Culture: What You Need To Know Now to see how these rules shape the work environment!

Employer Compliance and Best Practices

Chinese labor law sets strict rules for paid leave, work hours, and rest days. Employers need to understand these laws and manage leave accurately to avoid legal troubles.

Leave Management

You must make sure paid annual leave, public holidays, and rest days are scheduled according to Chinese labor law.

Employees who work over 12 months are entitled to paid annual leave, which ranges from 5 to 15 days based on years of service.

Make clear policies for requesting leave and communicate them with all staff. Coordinate with your personnel department to prevent understaffing and workflow issues when multiple employees need time off.

Notify workers about public holiday schedules in advance. When leave is denied, provide a clear reason in writing to help avoid disputes.

Record-Keeping, and Legal Risks

Accurate records are required for each employee’s work hours, leave taken, leave balances, and overtime. The labor security department may audit these records, so keeping them organized is important.

If you ignore these laws or keep poor records, you may face penalties, including fines or employee compensation. Civil servants also follow special rules under the Civil Servant Law, so you must track them separately.

Use a standardized system to store records and update them as needed to stay compliant.

Conclusion

Understanding paid leave, holidays, and rest days in China helps you plan work and life better. With new changes in 2025, employees now enjoy more public holidays and clear rules for rest days. This makes it easier for workers to relax and for companies to stay compliant.

Whether you are an employee, employer, or someone interested in Chinese work culture, knowing these laws is key. Keep up with the latest updates to make sure you get the most out of your time in China. Explore more to stay ahead and enjoy your well-deserved breaks!

If you need expert advice or help with compliance, Contact China Legal Experts today for personalized support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days of paid leave are there in China?

If you have worked for 1 to 10 years, you get 5 days of paid annual leave. If you have worked for 10 to 20 years, you get 10 days. For more than 20 years, the paid leave goes up to 15 days.

How many paid holidays are there in China?

You get a minimum of 11 paid public holidays every year in China. These holidays cover major events like the Spring Festival, National Day, and other important dates.

What day is rest day in China?

You are entitled to at least one full rest day every week. The rest day is usually on Sunday, but it can also vary depending on your employer.

How many days of holiday are there in China?

Besides the 11 paid public holidays, you may also have annual leave based on how long you have been working.Rest days, public holidays, and paid leave are counted separately.

Do people work 7 days a week in China?

No, most people in China do not work 7 days a week. Labor laws require at least one rest day within every 7-day period. Most full-time workers have a five-day workweek. Some industries may have different schedules.