How much is Statutory Paternity Pay?

For employees whose partner is having a baby, or who are adopting or having a baby through surrogacy.

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

Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. It's paid like your wages, with tax and National Insurance deducted.

Your employer may pay more under a company scheme, but not less.
To change the start date, give your employer 28 days' notice.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

£194.32 a week or 90%
Paid like wages
28 days' notice to change dates

What paternity leave and pay are

When your partner has a baby, or you adopt or have a baby through surrogacy, you may be able to get:

up to 2 weeks' Paternity Leave
Statutory Paternity Pay
Shared Parental Leave and Pay
unpaid Parental Leave

You might get the leave but not the pay, so check both.

Who can get it

	Paternity Leave	Paternity Pay
Must be an employee	Yes	Yes
Length of service	From your first day	At least 26 weeks by the qualifying week
Must earn at least £129 a week (before tax)	No	Yes
Must give the right notice	Yes	Yes

The qualifying week is the 15th week before the baby is due. For pay, you must also still be employed by your employer up to the date of birth.

How much you get (2026/27)

Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower. Tax and National Insurance are taken off, and it is paid like your normal wages.

Example 1. You earn £600 a week and take 2 weeks. 90% would be £540, so you get the lower amount: 2 x £194.32 = £388.64.

Example 2. You earn £180 a week. 90% of £180 is £162 a week, which is lower than £194.32, so you get £162.

Some employers pay more under their own scheme, but never less than the statutory amount.

How the leave works

You can take 1 week, 2 weeks together, or 2 separate weeks.
A week means the number of days you normally work in a week. If you work 2 days a week, 1 week of leave is 2 days.
Leave cannot start before the baby is born.
It must end within 52 weeks of the birth (or the due date if the baby is early).

How to apply

At least 15 weeks before the baby is due, tell your employer the due date.
At least 28 days before you want leave to start, tell them the start date and whether you want 1 or 2 weeks.
Use the GOV.UK online form (it used to be called form SC3), then download or print it for your employer. If your employer has its own form, use that instead.
To change your start date, give 28 days' notice.

Your rights while on leave

You keep your rights to pay rises, holiday and to return to your job. You can also take unpaid time off to go to 2 antenatal appointments with your partner, up to 6 and a half hours each.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Rules there are different. nidirect says you need 26 weeks' service for Paternity Leave, you take 1 week or 2 weeks in a row, and leave must finish within 56 days of the birth.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

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

See how to claim

Common questions

How long is paternity leave?

You can take up to 2 weeks, either together or as 2 separate one-week blocks.

When do I have to take paternity leave?

It cannot start before the baby is born and must end within 52 weeks of the birth.

Who qualifies for Statutory Paternity Pay?

You must be an employee earning at least £129 a week on average and have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the qualifying week. Paternity Leave itself is available from your first day in the job.

How much notice do I need to give for paternity leave?

Tell your employer the due date at least 15 weeks before the baby is due, and give at least 28 days' notice of when you want your leave to start.

Official sources

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

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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