How much is Statutory Adoption Pay?

For employees who are adopting a child, or having a baby through surrogacy, and want to know about adoption pay.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

Statutory Adoption Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks:

90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks
£194.32 or 90% of earnings, whichever is lower, for the next 33 weeks

It's paid like your wages, with tax and National Insurance deducted. Your employer can pay more, but not less.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Up to 39 weeks
90% for 6 weeks
Then £194.32 or 90%

Statutory Adoption Pay rates for 2026/27

Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) lasts up to 39 weeks. It is paid in two parts.

Weeks	What you get
Weeks 1 to 6	90% of your average weekly earnings
Weeks 7 to 39	£194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower

The £194.32 rate applies from April 2026. Your employer pays it like your wages, weekly or monthly, with tax and National Insurance taken off. Your employer can choose to pay more.

Worked examples

Example 1: average earnings of £600 a week.

Weeks 1 to 6: 90% of £600 is £540. £540 x 6 = £3,240.
Weeks 7 to 39: £194.32 is lower than £540, so you get £194.32. £194.32 x 33 = £6,412.56.
Total before tax: £9,652.56.

Example 2: average earnings of £200 a week.

90% of £200 is £180, which is lower than £194.32.
You get £180 a week for all 39 weeks: £180 x 39 = £7,020 before tax.

Who can get it

To get SAP you must:

have worked for your employer without a break for at least 26 weeks by the week you were matched with a child
earn on average at least £129 a week before tax
give your employer the right notice and proof of the adoption

Overseas adoption: you need 26 weeks with your employer by the time you start getting SAP.

Surrogacy: you need 26 weeks with your employer by the 15th week before the baby is due, and you must plan to apply for a parental order.

You cannot get SAP if you arrange a private adoption, become a special guardian, or adopt a stepchild or family member. If your employer says you are not eligible, they must give you form SAP1.

Notice you must give

Within 7 days of being matched with a child, tell your employer when the child will be placed with you and when you want leave to start.
Give at least 28 days' notice of when you want SAP to start.
Your employer must confirm your leave and pay dates within 28 days.

Adoption leave

Statutory Adoption Leave is 52 weeks: 26 weeks of Ordinary Adoption Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Adoption Leave. SAP covers the first 39 weeks. Leave can start up to 14 days before the child comes to live with you. For an overseas adoption, it starts when the child arrives in the UK or within 28 days of that.

Only one partner in a couple can take adoption leave. The other may be able to take paternity leave. You also get paid time off for 5 adoption appointments after you are matched.

What changes the amount

Your average weekly earnings, which decide the first 6 weeks and whether you get £194.32 or less later.
Your employer's own scheme, which may pay more than the legal minimum.
The yearly rate change each April.

Related guides

Where these figures come from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

See how to claim

Common questions

Who is eligible for Statutory Adoption Pay?

You must have worked for your employer without a break for at least 26 weeks by the week you were matched with a child, and earn on average at least £129 a week before tax.

How long is adoption leave?

Statutory Adoption Leave is 52 weeks, made up of 26 weeks of Ordinary Adoption Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Adoption Leave.

Can both parents take adoption leave?

No, only 1 person in a couple can take adoption leave. The other partner may be able to take paternity leave instead.

How much notice do I need to give for adoption pay?

You must give your employer at least 28 days' notice of when you want Statutory Adoption Pay to start.

Official sources

1.Adoption pay and leave: paywww.gov.uk/adoption-pay-leave/pay
2.Adoption pay and leave: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/adoption-pay-leave/eligibility
3.Adoption pay and leave: leavewww.gov.uk/adoption-pay-leave/leave
4.Adoption pay and leave: how to claimwww.gov.uk/adoption-pay-leave/how-to-claim

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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