Key Facts for UK Paternity Leave:
- Duration: 1 or 2 weeks (can be taken in two separate one-week blocks)
- Statutory Paternity Pay (2026/27): £194.32 per week, or 90% of average weekly earnings (whichever is lower)
- Leave window: Must be taken within 52 weeks of birth or adoption placement
Having a baby can be an exciting yet stressful time for many expectant parents, so the last thing you need is to be worried about ‘am I entitled to paternity leave?’. We know that having a new baby comes with a list of things to check off, so let’s help you check your statutory leave entitlement to make the transition to parenthood that little bit smoother.
What is paternity leave?
Paternity leave is statutory time off work for eligible employees—including fathers, partners, and adoptive parents—to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, with an entitlement of up to two weeks.
If you’re an employee, you’re entitled to take 1 or 2 weeks of paternity leave. Since 6 April 2026, you can take it from your first day in the job. Whether that leave is paid depends on whether you qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay (more on that below).
Since April 2024, you can take these weeks in two separate one-week blocks rather than consecutively. A week of leave matches your normal working week, so if you usually work 2 days a week, one week of paternity leave means 2 days off.
Some companies may offer additional or extended paternity leave, so it’s important to check this with your employer or look at your contract.
Unlike maternity leave, paternity leave can’t start before the birth. Since April 2024, leave must be taken within 52 weeks of the birth (or adoption placement).
Are you entitled to paternity leave?
To qualify for Statutory Paternity Leave, you must meet the following criteria.
Relationship to child:
- You are the child’s biological father
- You are the child’s adopter or intended parent (if using a surrogate)
- You are the child’s mother’s husband or partner (including same-sex partners)
Employment:
- You must be classed as an employee.
- Since 6 April 2026, there’s no minimum service requirement to take paternity leave. Previously, you needed 26 weeks’ continuous employment. This change came in under the Employment Rights Act 2025 and covers babies due on or after 5 April 2026 and adoption placements from 6 April 2026.
To qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay, you must also:
- have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the baby’s due date (or by the week you’re matched with your child, if adopting)
- have average weekly earnings of at least the Lower Earnings Limit (£129 per week for 2026/27)
- still be employed by the same employer up to the date of the birth (or placement)
So it’s possible to qualify for the leave but not the pay, particularly if you’ve recently started a new job.
Key dates and deadlines
You’ll need to tell your employer you’re entitled to paternity leave 15 weeks before the baby’s due date (or within 7 days of being matched with a child, if you’re adopting). After that, give them 28 days’ notice of when you want to take your leave, and the same notice if you need to change your dates. Your leave must be taken within 52 weeks of the birth or adoption placement.
When you give notice, let your employer know when the baby is due or the date of the birth. If you’re adopting, give the date you were matched with your child or the date they’re placed with you. You’ll also need to say when you’d like your paternity leave and pay to start, and whether you’re taking 1 or 2 weeks.
Your rights whilst on leave
When you’re on paternity leave, your job rights stay the same. That means you’re still in for pay raises, can keep stacking up those annual leave days, and are guaranteed to be able to return to your job after your leave ends.
Statutory paternity pay
The statutory weekly rate of Paternity Pay is set by the government and is currently £194.32 for 2026/27 (or £187.18 for 2025/26), or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). However, your employer can choose to pay you a higher rate if this is written into your contract.
Remember, the pay has different qualifying rules from the leave. You’ll need 26 weeks’ service and earnings above the Lower Earnings Limit to get Statutory Paternity Pay, even though the leave itself is now available from day one.
Any money you get is paid in the same way as your wages, for example monthly or weekly. Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.
Your paternity pay is usually paid as part of the normal payroll run within the period of leave, often processed through payroll software. Your employer must confirm the start and end dates for your Paternity Pay when you request it. If you need to change the start date you must give your employer 28 days’ notice.
Paternity leave vs Shared Parental Leave
Paternity leave and Shared Parental Leave (SPL) are often confused, but they’re separate entitlements:
- Paternity leave is a standalone entitlement of up to 2 weeks, available only to the partner (not the birth mother).
- Shared Parental Leave allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them, offering greater flexibility.
- You can take both, and since 6 April 2026 you can take them in any order. Before then, paternity leave had to come first. Now you can take it after a period of SPL too, and still receive Statutory Paternity Pay if you qualify.
- SPL requires the mother to curtail her maternity leave early to create the shared entitlement.
What if you don’t qualify for paternity pay?
Since 6 April 2026, almost all employees can take paternity leave from their first day, so the more common question is what happens if you don’t qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay. This could be because you’ve been with your employer for less than 26 weeks, or you earn under £129 a week.
Don’t worry, you still have some options to take time off to spend with your new addition:
- Take your paternity leave unpaid: You can still take your 1 or 2 weeks of leave, though it’ll be unpaid unless your employer chooses to pay you. During this time, you might qualify for low income support depending on your earnings.
- Use unpaid parental leave: This is also a day-one right from 6 April 2026 (previously you needed a year’s service). You can take up to 18 weeks per child before their 18th birthday, usually up to 4 weeks a year, with 21 days’ notice.
- Use your holiday allowance: If you have time left to take, this is an option to discuss with your employer.
Hopefully this information has helped you plan for your paternity leave. If you’re still wondering about your company’s specific policies, it’s always a great idea to speak to your line manager or HR department ahead of any leave.
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Frequently asked questions
Q. Can paternity leave be split?
A. Yes. Since April 2024, you can take your 1 or 2 weeks of paternity leave in two separate one-week blocks, rather than all at once.
Q. Can you take paternity leave before the birth?
A. No. Paternity leave can't start before the baby is born. It must begin on or after the date of birth (or adoption placement).
Q. How long do I have to take paternity leave?
You must take your paternity leave within 52 weeks of the birth or adoption placement (updated from 56 days in April 2024).
Q. Do I need to have worked for my employer for a certain amount of time?
A. Not for the leave. Since 6 April 2026, paternity leave is a day-one right. To get Statutory Paternity Pay, though, you still need 26 weeks' continuous service by the 15th week before the baby's due date.
Q. Can I take paternity leave after Shared Parental Leave?
A. Yes. Since 6 April 2026, you can take paternity leave and Shared Parental Leave in any order.
Q. Do I get paid during paternity leave?
A. If you qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay, you'll receive £194.32 per week (2026/27 rate) or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Some employers offer enhanced paternity pay.
Q. Can I take paternity leave if I'm self-employed?
A. No. Statutory Paternity Leave is only available to employees. Self-employed people aren't entitled to paternity leave or Statutory Paternity Pay.
