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Paternity leave and pay

Eligible employees are entitled to statutory paternity pay and leave. Find out about your responsibilities as an employer, the rules on eligibility and taking paternity leave, and understand the requirements for shared parental leave.

Last reviewed on 7 April 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 1797
Contents
  1. Paternity leave
  2. Paternity pay
  3. Paternity leave and pay for adoption
  4. Leave and pay for bereavement
  5. Shared parental leave and pay

Paternity leave

Paternity leave applies to the:

  • Father of the child
  • Mother’s husband or partner (including same-sex partners)
  • Child’s legal adopter (who is not taking adoption pay and leave)
  • Intended parent in a surrogacy arrangement

Paternity leave is now a day 1 right

This means that employees will be able to give notice to take paternity leave from their first day of employment.

Employees will no longer need to have 26 weeks of continuous service to take paternity leave, but they will need this service to qualify for statutory paternity pay (explained below).

This is set out in the government's bereavement, paternity and unpaid parental leave factsheet and The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Parental and Paternity Leave) (Removal of Qualifying