Paternity leave and pay in 2026/27: who qualifies and how to claim
Published · 4 min read · Figures checked . UK rules and rates change, so check the official sources below before you act.
Employees who become a parent through birth, adoption or surrogacy can take up to 2 weeks of Paternity Leave. This guide explains who qualifies for leave and Statutory Paternity Pay, the 2026/27 weekly rate, and the notice employers need.
Who this guide is for
This guide is general information about Paternity Leave and Statutory Paternity Pay for employees in Great Britain. GOV.UK says Northern Ireland has different rules, and points readers there to the NI Direct website. It is not advice for any one person's situation.
It does not cover self-employed people, who are not employees and so do not get statutory paternity pay from an employer. It also does not cover Shared Parental Leave, which is a separate scheme. Figures were checked on GOV.UK on 12 October 2026 and are for the 2026/27 tax year.
What you can get
GOV.UK describes two separate things: Paternity Leave, which is time off, and Paternity Pay, which is money paid while you are away. You can qualify for leave without qualifying for pay.
- Leave is up to 2 weeks. You can take both weeks together or as two separate one-week blocks.
- A week of leave is the number of days you normally work in a week.
- You get the same 2 weeks even if there is more than one baby, for example twins.
- Leave cannot start before the birth, and it must end within 52 weeks of the birth (or the due date if the baby is early). Different start and end rules apply for adoption.
Who qualifies
The person taking leave must be the baby's father, the mother's husband or partner (including a same-sex partner), the child's adopter or adopter's partner, or the intended parent in a surrogacy arrangement. They must be taking time off to look after the child.
For leave, you must be an employee and give the correct notice. GOV.UK says you can qualify from your first day of employment.
For pay, there are extra tests.
- You must be employed by your employer up to the date of birth.
- You must have worked for them continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the end of the qualifying week. For a birth, that is the 15th week before the baby is due.
- You must earn an average of at least £129 a week before tax.
- You must give the correct notice.
How the pay works
GOV.UK says Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. The rates and thresholds page for employers says this rate applies from 6 April 2026. It is paid in the same way as your wages, with tax and National Insurance taken off.
Some employers pay more than the statutory amount as part of a contract or policy. This guide only covers the statutory minimum, so it can be worth reading your own contract or staff handbook.
Telling your employer
GOV.UK says you must tell your employer the baby's due date at least 15 weeks before the baby is expected. You also say when you want leave to start, such as the day of the birth or the week after, and whether you want 1 or 2 weeks. You do not need an exact date; a general plan such as the day of birth is acceptable.
The online form, previously called SC3, can be sent to your employer, or you can use your employer's own form. You do not need to give proof of the pregnancy or birth. To change the start date, GOV.UK says to give at least 28 days' notice. If the baby is due before 25 July 2026 and you had been employed for less than 26 weeks in the qualifying week, the 15 weeks' notice is not needed.
If your employer says no
If you do not qualify for pay, GOV.UK says your employer must tell you within 28 days, and explain why, using form SPP1. People who are unsure what to do next can get free help from Citizens Advice.
Check before you act
Rates, dates and rules change, and the details can differ for adoption and in Northern Ireland. It is worth confirming everything on the official pages linked below before relying on this guide.
Sources
For information only. See our disclaimer and editorial standards. Spotted an error? Tell us.
