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UK Paternity Pay and Leave: Rights, Rates and Notice Periods

3 min read

In this guide
  1. What do you get?
  2. How does paternity leave work?
  3. What notice do you give?
  4. How much is paternity pay?
  5. Are your rights protected on leave?
  6. Time off for appointments
  7. Other leave you can combine
  8. Common mistakes
  9. FAQ
    1. Does it apply in Northern Ireland?
  10. Key takeaways
  11. Related guides
  12. Sources

Quick answer: In the UK you can take up to 2 weeks’ paternity leave when your partner has a baby, you adopt, or you have a baby through surrogacy. The statutory weekly rate of paternity pay is £194.32 or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. You must tell your employer the due date at least 15 weeks before the baby is due.

What do you get?

You might be eligible for 2 weeks’ Paternity Leave, Paternity Pay, Shared Parental Leave and Pay, and Unpaid Parental Leave. You may not get both leave and pay, and there are rules on how to claim.

How does paternity leave work?

  • Up to 2 weeks, taken together or as two one-week blocks.
  • You get the same amount even with twins.
  • A week of leave equals the days you normally work in a week.
  • It can’t start before the birth and must end within 52 weeks of the birth (or due date if early).
  • You can give a general start time, such as the day of the birth or a week after, rather than a precise date.

What notice do you give?

Tell your employer the due date at least 15 weeks before the baby is due. To change your start date, give 28 days’ notice. Adoption has different start and end date rules.

How much is paternity pay?

£194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. It is paid like your wages, with tax and National Insurance deducted. Compare it with maternity pay and see our payslip guide to read the deductions.

Are your rights protected on leave?

Yes. Your rights to pay rises, accruing holiday and returning to work are protected. See also holiday entitlement.

Time off for appointments

  • Up to 6 and a half hours of unpaid leave per appointment to accompany a pregnant woman to 2 antenatal appointments, if you are the baby’s father, her spouse or civil partner, in a long-term relationship with her, or the intended parent in surrogacy.
  • Up to 2 adoption appointments after matching, also unpaid.
  • Permanent employees can ask immediately; agency workers need 12 weeks in the job first.

Other leave you can combine

Common mistakes

  • Leaving the notice too late.
  • Trying to start leave before the birth.
  • Assuming leave and pay always come together.

FAQ

Does it apply in Northern Ireland?

No, GOV.UK says there are different rules there.

Key takeaways

  • 2 weeks’ leave, ending within 52 weeks of birth.
  • £194.32 or 90% of earnings.
  • 15 weeks’ notice of the due date.

Last updated: October 2026. General information. Rates change; check GOV.UK.

Sources

  • GOV.UK: Paternity pay and leave

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