[Updated 19/05/2026]
New Conditions from 6th April 2026
The right to take up to two weeks’ statutory paternity leave is a right from day one of employment. Before 6th April 2026, you would need to have 26 weeks continuous service to be eligible but that requirment has been removed.
The right applies also to adoption of a child.
- Leave must be taken in blocks of either one week or 2 consecutive weeks. In all cases the leave must finish within 56 days of the birth of the child.
- To change the start date of paternity leave, 28 days notice must be given.
- You must still be employed in the week before the leave starts (a week begins on Sunday);
- You will need to have or expect to have responsibility for the child’s upbringing and
- You must be either the biological father of the child or the mother’s husband or partner (including same sex relationships).
Paternity Leave may now be taken after a period of Shared Parental Leave.
Pay During Paternity Leave
To qualify for payment, you will need to have 26 weeks continuous service to receive 2 weeks paid Paternity Leave.
That will be paid at whichever is the lower of either £194.32 per week (formerly £187.18) or 90% of the individual’s average weekly earnings.