Your Paternity and Parental Leave Rights

What's changing

From 6 April 2026, you are eligible for Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave from your very first day in a new job.

Previously:

You needed 26 weeks' service for Paternity Leave.

You needed one year's service for Unpaid Parental Leave.

From April 2026:

Both types of leave became "day one" rights. This means you can now give notice from your first day of employment.

You can also take Paternity Leave and Pay after Shared Parental Leave and Pay (previously you couldn't).

Special rules for new birth parents wanting to take Paternity Leave

If you become newly qualified for day one Paternity Leave because of these changes and your baby is due between 5 April and 25 July 2026, you'll only need to give 28 days' notice (instead of the usual 15 weeks). For babies due from 26 July 2026 onwards, standard notice periods apply. Notice periods for adopters and parents who already qualified are unchanged. Leave cannot be taken before 6 April.

Important: The rules for Paternity Pay haven't changed – you'll still need to meet existing service and earnings requirements to receive pay during your leave.

What this means for you

Starting a new job no longer means missing out on time with your new child. Whether you're welcoming a baby, adopting, or becoming a parent through surrogacy, you can now take leave from day one.

What you can do now

If you're planning to become a parent:

  • Talk to your employer about their parental leave policies.
  • Understand the difference between leave (time off) and pay (financial support).
  • Give notice as early as possible.
  • Standard notice requirements for birth parents are to tell your employer your baby's due date 15 weeks before the Expected Week of Childbirth. You must also tell them 28 days before you want to start the Paternity Leave.

Territorial extent

The changes to Paternity Leave, Unpaid Parental Leave, and Shared Parental Leave apply across England, Scotland and Wales. They do not apply in Northen Ireland, where legislation relating to Parental Leave and Pay law is devolved.

Where to get help

GOV.UK Paternity Leave and Payopens www.gov.uk in a new tab

GOV.UK Parental Leaveopens www.gov.uk in a new tab

For more information see the Paternity and Unpaid Parental Leave factsheetopens assets.publishing.service.gov.uk in a new tab

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