Leave
- Up to 2 weeks, taken as one 2-week block or two separate weeks.
- It can't start before the birth and must end within 52 weeks of it.
- From 6 April 2026 it's a day-one right: you don't need to have worked for your employer for any minimum time.
Pay
Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. To get it you still need 26 weeks with your employer by the 15th week before the due week, and to earn at least £129 a week on average.
Notice
- Tell your employer the due date at least 15 weeks before it.
- Give at least 28 days' notice of when each week of leave will start.
Shared Parental Leave
Parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay (at £194.32 a week or 90% of earnings if lower) in the first year, by ending maternity leave early. It's flexible but needs planning with both employers.
Northern Ireland has different paternity rules: the 2 weeks must be taken together and within 56 days of the birth.
Ready to go?
Read everything above? Here's the official page to do it:
Want the exact dates for your baby? Get your personal timeline: enter your due date or birthday and see every deadline in order.
Sources: GOV.UK: paternity pay and leave, GOV.UK: Shared Parental Leave. Checked 28 October 2026.