How much unpaid parental leave can I take?

For employees in England, Scotland and Wales who are parents of a child under 18.

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

You're entitled to 18 weeks' unpaid leave for each child, up to their 18th birthday. You can take up to 4 weeks a year per child, unless your employer agrees more.

It's usually taken in whole weeks.
Your employment rights are protected while on leave.
Leave used with a previous employer counts towards the 18 weeks.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

18 weeks per child
4 weeks a year
Up to age 18

Who can take it

You can take unpaid parental leave if all of these apply:

you are an employee (not self-employed, and not a "worker" such as an agency worker or contractor)
you are named on the child's birth or adoption certificate, or you have or expect to have parental responsibility
the child is under 18

Foster parents cannot take it unless they have got parental responsibility through the courts. Your employer can ask for reasonable proof, such as a birth certificate, but not every time you ask for leave.

How the 18 weeks work

Rule	Detail
Total per child	18 weeks, up to their 18th birthday
Most per year	4 weeks per child, unless your employer agrees more
How it is taken	Whole weeks, unless your employer agrees or your child is disabled
Changing jobs	Leave you took with a past employer counts towards the 18 weeks

A "week" is the time you normally work over 7 days. If you work 3 days a week, one week of leave is 3 days off.

Example: Sam has twins. Each twin gives 18 weeks, so Sam has 36 weeks in total. Sam can take up to 4 weeks a year for each twin, so up to 8 weeks a year unless the employer agrees more.

How to ask for it

Give your employer at least 21 days' notice before the start date, and confirm the start and end dates. It only has to be in writing if your employer asks.
If the leave is for a birth or adoption, give notice 21 days before the week the baby or child is expected.

When your employer can delay it

Your employer can only postpone your leave for a "significant reason", for example if it would cause serious disruption to the business. If they do, they must:

write to you within 7 days explaining why
suggest a new start date within 6 months of the date you asked for
give you the same amount of leave

They cannot delay leave if the father or partner is taking it straight after the birth or adoption, or if delaying it would take the child past 18.

Your rights while on leave

The leave is unpaid, but your employment rights, such as holidays and returning to your job, are protected.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own rules. You still get 18 weeks per child up to their 18th birthday, but you need at least one year's continuous service with your employer to qualify.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

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

Check notice rules

Common questions

Who can take unpaid parental leave?

Employees who are named on the child's birth or adoption certificate, or who have parental responsibility, can take it. Self-employed people and workers such as agency workers or contractors cannot.

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

You must give your employer 21 days' notice before the date you want to start.

Can my employer delay my parental leave?

Yes, if they have a significant reason, but they must suggest a new start date within 6 months. They cannot delay leave you take straight after a birth or adoption.

Can I take parental leave as single days?

Usually it must be taken in whole weeks, unless your child is disabled or your employer agrees otherwise.

Official sources

1.Unpaid parental leave: entitlementwww.gov.uk/parental-leave/entitlement
2.Unpaid parental leavewww.gov.uk/parental-leave
3.Unpaid parental leave: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/parental-leave/eligibility
4.Unpaid parental leave: notice periodwww.gov.uk/parental-leave/notice-period
5.Unpaid parental leave: delaying leavewww.gov.uk/parental-leave/delaying-leave

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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