What is maternity leave?

For pregnant employees who want to know how much time off and pay they can get.

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

Statutory Maternity Leave is up to 52 weeks off work when you have a baby, if you are an employee.

It is made up of 26 weeks of Ordinary and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave.
You get it from your first day in the job, whatever your hours or pay.
You must take at least 2 weeks after the birth, or 4 weeks if you work in a factory.
The earliest you can start is 11 weeks before the week your baby is due.
Statutory Maternity Pay is up to 39 weeks: 90% of your pay for 6 weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90% if lower (2026/27).

Key facts

Up to 52 weeks' leave
Day-one right for employees
SMP: up to 39 weeks
£194.32 a week after week 6

What maternity leave is

Statutory Maternity Leave is time off work to have and care for your baby. It lasts up to 52 weeks:

Ordinary Maternity Leave: the first 26 weeks
Additional Maternity Leave: the last 26 weeks

You do not have to take all 52 weeks. You must take at least 2 weeks after the birth, or 4 weeks if you work in a factory.

Who it is for

You can get Statutory Maternity Leave if you are an employee and give your employer the right notice. It does not matter how long you have worked there, how many hours you work or how much you are paid. People classed as "workers" rather than employees do not get it.

How much you get paid (2026/27)

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks.

Weeks	Weekly amount
1 to 6	90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax)
7 to 39	£194.32 or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower

To get SMP you must earn on average at least £129 a week. You must also have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks into the "qualifying week", which is the 15th week before the week your baby is due. SMP is taxed like normal pay.

Example 1: Priya earns £500 a week on average. She gets £450 a week (90%) for 6 weeks, which is £2,700. Then she gets £194.32 a week for 33 weeks, which is £6,412.56. Her total SMP is £9,112.56.

Example 2: Lucy earns £200 a week. 90% is £180, which is lower than £194.32. So she gets £180 a week for all 39 weeks, which is £7,020.

If you cannot get SMP, your employer must give you form SMP1 within 7 days, explaining why. You may be able to get Maternity Allowance instead.

How to apply

At least 15 weeks before your due date, tell your employer when the baby is due and when you want to start your leave.
Your employer must write to you within 28 days to confirm your start and end dates.
Give at least 28 days' notice of when you want SMP to start.
Within 21 days of your SMP start date, give your employer your MATB1 certificate or a letter from your doctor or midwife. You will not get SMP without proof.

When leave starts

The earliest you can start is 11 weeks before the week your baby is due. Leave starts automatically if you are off work for a pregnancy-related reason in the 4 weeks before the week your baby is due, or the day after the birth if your baby comes early.

Things to know

Your rights to pay rises, building up holiday, and returning to work are protected.
To change your return date, give at least 8 weeks' notice.
You may be able to share some leave and pay with your partner through Shared Parental Leave.
If you think your SMP is wrong and your employer will not fix it, contact HMRC's Statutory Payment Disputes Team.

If you live in Northern Ireland

The rules are the same: 52 weeks of leave, 2 weeks compulsory (4 in a factory), and notice at least 15 weeks before your due date. See nidirect.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

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

How to claim maternity leave

Common questions

When do I have to tell my employer?

At least 15 weeks before your due date, tell them when the baby is due and when you want to start your leave.

Can I get maternity pay if I am not entitled to SMP?

Your employer must give you form SMP1 explaining why, and you may be able to get Maternity Allowance instead.

Do I build up holiday while on maternity leave?

Yes. Your rights, including pay rises, holiday and the right to return to work, are protected.

Official sources

1.Maternity pay and leave: leave (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/leave
2.Maternity pay and leave: eligibility (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/eligibility
3.Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027 (HMRC)www.gov.uk/guidance/rates-and-thresholds-for-employers-2026-to-2027
4.Maternity pay and leave: how to claim (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/how-to-claim
5.Maternity pay and leave (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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