How much paternity leave can I take?

You are entitled to 1 or 2 weeks of paternity leave (your choice). From April 2024, this can be taken in non-consecutive weeks within the first 52 weeks of the baby's birth (previously it had to be taken within 56 days). You can also access Shared Parental Leave for much longer periods.

How much is Statutory Paternity Pay?

Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) is £187.18/week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for 2025/26. Some employers offer enhanced paternity pay above this — check your contract.

Can I take paternity leave if I'm self-employed?

Self-employed people are not entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay or paternity leave. However, if your partner is employed and eligible, you may be able to access Shared Parental Leave and Pay. You can also take time off from your business, though you will need to plan financially for the lost income.

Paternity Pay and Leave Guide UK — Your Rights as a New Parent | PocketWise

Welcoming a new child is a life-changing event. Understanding your paternity leave and pay rights — including recent changes — ensures you can spend time with your family while managing the financial impact.

Paternity Leave

Eligibility

Requirement	Detail
Employment	Employed (not self-employed)
Service	26 weeks continuous employment by the 15th week before due date
Relationship	Father, partner, or spouse of the mother
Purpose	Taking time off to care for child or support the mother

Amount of Leave

Feature	Detail
Duration	1 or 2 weeks (your choice)
Timing	Any time within 52 weeks of birth (from April 2024)
Flexibility	Can take in non-consecutive weeks (from April 2024)
Notice required	15 weeks before due date (can change with 28 days’ notice)

Recent Changes (April 2024)

Before April 2024	From April 2024
Must take within 56 days of birth	Can take within 52 weeks of birth
Must take as 1 or 2 consecutive weeks	Can split into 2 separate weeks
15 weeks’ notice required	28 days’ notice for each week

Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP)

Feature	Detail
Rate	£187.18/week or 90% of average earnings (whichever is lower)
Duration	1 or 2 weeks
Tax	Taxable (paid through your payroll)
NI	National Insurance deducted
Maximum total	£374.36 (for 2 weeks)

Enhanced Paternity Pay

Some employers offer more generous paternity pay. Check:

Your employment contract
Employee handbook
Company policy documents
HR department

Common enhancements include full pay for 2 weeks or extended paid leave.

Shared Parental Leave (SPL)

Shared Parental Leave allows you to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay with your partner:

Feature	Detail
Eligibility	Both parents must meet employment and earnings tests
Total leave	Up to 50 weeks (after mother takes first 2 mandatory weeks)
Total pay (ShPP)	Up to 37 weeks at £187.18/week
Flexibility	Can be taken in blocks
Concurrent	Both parents can take leave at the same time
Notice	8 weeks’ notice for each block of leave

Example SPL Arrangement

Weeks	Mother	Partner
1–2	Maternity leave (compulsory)	Paternity leave (2 weeks)
3–26	Maternity leave	Working
27–32	SPL (off together)	SPL (off together)
33–40	Working	SPL
41–52	Working	Working

Financial Planning

Income Impact

Period	Mother (£30k)	Partner (£30k)	Household
Before baby	£1,980/month	£1,980/month	£3,960
Weeks 1–2 (both off)	£2,250/month (90% SMP)	£812/month (SPP)	£3,062
Weeks 7–39 (mother on SMP)	£811/month	£1,980/month	£2,791

Planning Checklist

Action	When
Check employer’s paternity/SPL policy	Early pregnancy
Notify employer of intention	15 weeks before due date
Review household budget	3+ months before
Build emergency fund	As early as possible
Check benefit entitlements	3+ months before
Discuss SPL with your partner	Early — requires planning

Other Leave Rights

Leave Type	Detail
Unpaid parental leave	18 weeks per child (up to age 18); max 4 weeks/year per child
Time off for dependants	Reasonable unpaid time to deal with emergencies
Flexible working	Right to request from day 1 of employment (from April 2024)
Antenatal appointments	Partners: unpaid time off for up to 2 appointments

How to Claim

Step	Action
1	Notify employer 15 weeks before due date
2	Confirm weeks you want to take (28 days’ notice for each week)
3	Provide baby’s due date or birth date
4	Employer pays SPP through normal payroll

For information on the mother’s entitlements, see our maternity pay guide. For family financial planning, see our child benefit guide and cost of raising a child guide.