Please note: Marriage leave policies in China are a moving target as provinces continue to update and extend their offerings. This guide was last updated in November 2025.
Congratulations! Your employee is getting hitched, and as their employer, it’s your chance to shine by supporting them during this significant life event.
But what exactly are your “I do” obligations? Let’s break it down:
Do I Need to Provide Marriage Leave?
Yes! By law, employees across China are entitled to a minimum of three days of paid leave for their wedding. But many provinces have decided to roll out even more generous offerings.
Regional Variations
As of November 2025, at least 28 provinces, regions and municipalities have explicitly extended marriage leave in their local regulations.
As the country grapples with declining birth rates, many areas are stepping up with generous benefits to encourage couples to marry and start families.
These efforts appear to be paying off. China recorded an 8.5% increase in marriage registrations in the first three quarters of 2025, with 5.15 million couples getting married compared to 4.75 million during the same period in 2024. This marks a significant reversal after marriage registrations fell 20.5% in 2024 to just 6.1 million couples. That was the lowest since records began.
Gansu and Shanxi are currently leading the way by offering an impressive 30 days of paid leave!
Here’s how marriage leave varies across different provinces:
| Region | Marriage Leave (Days) |
| Anhui | 13 |
| Beijing | 10 |
| Chongqing | 15 |
| Fujian | 15 |
| Gansu | 30 |
| Guangdong | 3 |
| Guangxi | 3 |
| Guizhou | 13 |
| Hainan | 13 |
| Hebei | 18 |
| Heilongjiang | 25 |
| Henan | 28 |
| Hubei | 15 |
| Hunan | 3 |
| Inner Mongolia | 18 |
| Jiangsu | 13 |
| Jiangxi | 18 |
| Jilin | 15 |
| Liaoning | 10 |
| Ningxia | 18 |
| Qinghai | 15 |
| Shaanxi | 13 |
| Shandong | 18 |
| Shanghai | 10 |
| Shanxi | 30 |
| Sichuan | 25 |
| Tianjin | 10 |
| Tibet | 10 |
| Xinjiang | 23 |
| Yunnan | 18 |
| Zhejiang | 13 |
Do I Need to Pay My Employees During Marriage Leave?
Absolutely! During marriage leave, employees are entitled to receive their regular salary. So while they’re off celebrating their big day, their paycheck won’t take a hit!
What About Second Marriages?
All these marriages leave policies apply to remarriages too. So, whether your employee is tying the knot for the first time or the fifth, they’re entitled to the same leave. And remember, it’s probably best to let them enjoy their special moment without prying into their past…
Important Considerations
- Eligibility: Employees qualify for marriage leave once they register their marriage with the relevant authorities. This includes foreign employees and those remarrying.
- Usage Timeline: Typically, marriage leave must be taken within one year of registration. Employers may allow extensions under specific circumstances.
- Flexibility: Many regions allow employees to take their leave all at once or in segments, depending on work requirements and mutual agreement with employers.
