Hong Kong (HK)

Hong Kong is one of the world's most dynamic cities — a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China operating under the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework that preserves its common law legal system, independent judiciary, free port status, and separate currency.

Capital: Hong Kong

Region: Asia

Language: Chinese (Cantonese)

Currency: HKD (HK$)

Cost of living: Very expensive (index 90)

Emergency: 999

Social Security in Hong Kong

Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.

Hong Kong does not have a comprehensive European-style social security system (no unemployment insurance, no mandatory health insurance, no state pension as such). The primary social security schemes are: (1) Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) — mandatory retirement savings contributions for employees and self-employed persons; (2) Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) — means-tested cash assistance for the very poor; (3) Social Security Allowance (SSA) — monthly allowance for elderly and severely disabled persons. There is no unemployment benefit. This lean social safety net is part of Hong Kong's low-tax, free-market economic model.

Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID) Number

香港身份證號碼

Apply for your HKID at any Immigration Department office within 30 days of establishing ordinary residence. Bring your passport, arrival stamp/visa, and proof of address. Processing: same day at the office for an initial temporary document; permanent HKID issued within 2 weeks. The HKID number serves as your primary identifier for all government and social services in HK.

Used for

Identification for all government services
MPF scheme enrolment and contribution tracking
IRD (tax) registration and filing
FPS (Faster Payment System) — instant bank transfers by HKID number
Hospital Authority healthcare access
Housing Authority and social welfare applications
Immigration status verification
CSSA and SSA benefit identification
Voter registration (for eligible permanent residents)

Benefits & Support Payments

Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)

強制性公積金 (MPF)

Employee: 5% of monthly relevant income (HK$7,100–30,000), maximum HK$1,500/month. Employer: matched 5%, maximum HK$1,500/month. For income below HK$7,100/month: employee contribution is voluntary, employer still contributes 5%. For income above HK$30,000/month: contributions cap at HK$1,500 each, but employee can make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs).

Mandatory retirement savings fund. Both employee and employer contribute 5% of monthly relevant income each (with income caps). Not a pension — accumulated as a personal retirement savings pot, payable as a lump sum at age 65 (or 60 with early retirement declaration) or on permanent departure from HK.

Eligibility

All employees aged 18–64 who are employed under a continuous contract of 60+ days. Self-employed persons aged 18–64 with relevant income above the minimum. Excluded: domestic helpers (separate scheme), those with less than 60 days employment under a contract.

How to Apply

Your employer enrols you automatically within 60 days of commencement of employment. You must be enrolled in an approved MPF scheme — you can choose the scheme if your employer uses a default provider, or select from approved schemes. MPFA (Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority) at mpfa.org.hk lists all approved schemes.

MPF is not portable between countries — it stays in HK. On leaving HK permanently, you can withdraw the full balance as a lump sum (both your and employer contributions). MPF funds are managed by approved trustees (HSBC MPF, AIA MPF, Sun Life MPF, Manulife MPF, etc.) and invested in a range of funds. Review and rebalance your fund allocation at least annually — the default Default Investment Strategy (DIS) may not suit your age and risk profile.

Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA)

綜合社會保障援助 (綜援)

HK$3,055/month for a single able-bodied adult (effective 1 February 2026, swd.gov.hk). Plus actual rent supplement up to a cap. Plus special grants for education, medical, employment support.

Means-tested financial assistance for individuals and families whose income and assets fall below the assistance level. Covers basic living expenses including a rent supplement. Last-resort safety net.

Eligibility

Must be a HK resident for 1 year (7 years for persons without right of abode / non-permanent residents). Household income and assets below CSSA threshold. Must not have resources to meet basic needs.

How to Apply

Apply at the Social Welfare Department (SWD) nearest district office. Bring HKID, HKID of all family members, proof of income, bank statements, tenancy agreement, and employment history. A social worker will conduct a home visit and assessment.

Most expats on Employment Visa or TTPS do not qualify for CSSA due to the 7-year residence requirement for those without right of abode. Right of Abode holders (permanent residents) qualify after 1 year of residence.

Social Security Allowance (SSA)

社會保障援助 (社保)

Old Age Allowance (OAA): HK$1,675/month (effective 1 February 2026, 1823.gov.hk). Old Age Living Allowance (OALA): HK$4,345/month (effective 1 February 2026, swd.gov.hk/oala). Disability Allowance rates vary by severity of disability.

Monthly cash allowance for elderly persons (65+) or severely disabled persons, regardless of income — but with an asset test. Two tiers: Normal Allowance and Higher Allowance for those with more severe needs.

Eligibility

HK permanent resident aged 65+. Income and asset below specified limits for Old Age Allowance. Disability must be certified by medical professional for Disability Allowance.

How to Apply

Apply at SWD district office. The application is processed quickly — most eligible elderly receive payments within 4–6 weeks.

The SSA is not equivalent to a contributory state pension. It is a non-contributory allowance funded by general government revenue. There is no universal "state pension" in HK — the MPF is the primary retirement vehicle.

Employees Retraining Board (ERB) Training Subsidy

僱員再培訓局培訓資助

Training allowance during approved full-time courses: HK$85/day (for eligible participants)

Subsidised training and skills courses for eligible workers. Helps people who are unemployed or underemployed upgrade their skills. Courses in IT, hospitality, retail, construction, care services and more.

Eligibility

HK resident aged 15+ with right to work in HK. Various targeted groups (redundant workers, older workers, people with disabilities, new immigrants).

How to Apply

Enrol in approved ERB courses at retraining.org.hk. Many courses are free or heavily subsidised.

Useful for expats who lose employment and want to upgrade skills while seeking new work. Not a substitute for unemployment benefit (which does not exist in HK).

Contribution Overview

MPF contributions: 5% employee + 5% employer, capped at HK$1,500/month each (based on HK$30,000 maximum relevant income). For self-employed: they pay both employer and employee portions themselves. No unemployment insurance premiums. No mandatory health insurance premiums (public healthcare funded by general taxation). No separate pension tax. The entire HK social contribution framework is significantly simpler and lighter than European equivalents.

International Social Security Agreements

Hong Kong does not have social security totalization agreements with other countries (unlike EU/EEA countries which have coordinated arrangements). MPF contributions made in HK do not count toward pension entitlements in other countries, and vice versa. If you leave HK and retire in your home country, you will need to claim your MPF separately as a lump sum from the HK scheme and claim your home country pension entitlement separately (based on your home country contribution history). Expats with contribution histories in multiple countries should plan retirement income carefully — there is no automatic coordination.

The Hong Kong government has repeatedly considered introducing a universal retirement protection scheme to supplement the MPF, which critics argue is insufficient for retirement security (especially for lower-income workers). As of 2026, no universal retirement protection scheme has been enacted beyond the existing SSA and MPF. Expats relying solely on MPF for retirement should consider additional private pension arrangements (e.g. QDAP — Qualifying Deferred Annuity Policy, which offers HK$60,000/year tax deduction) or offshore retirement savings.

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