Marriage Leave in China: Tying the Knot with Leave Policies

Kinyu — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:23:00 +0000

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.