How Statutory Paternity Pay works in 2026/27
Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP) is paid by your employer for up to two weeks when your partner has a baby, or when you adopt or have a baby through surrogacy. From 6 April 2026 it's paid at:
Unlike maternity pay, there's no higher-rate period at the start, so anyone earning more than about £216 a week gets the flat £194.32. SPP goes through payroll like normal wages, so income tax and National Insurance come off if your income is high enough.
Am I eligible for paternity pay?
Paternity leave is a day-one right, so any employee can take it from their first day in a job as long as they give the right notice. Paternity pay has stricter rules. You must:
- have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the end of the qualifying week, which is the 15th week before the week the baby is due
- still be employed by them up to the date of birth
- earn on average at least £129 a week before tax (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2026/27)
- be the baby's father, or the partner of the mother (including same-sex partners), and be taking time off to look after the baby or support the mother
If you don't qualify, your employer must tell you why within 28 days using form SPP1.
How the dates are worked out
Everything is counted from the expected week of childbirth, which runs Sunday to Saturday and contains the due date. The qualifying week is the week that started 15 weeks before that. The calculator shows when it is, the latest date you could have started your job and still have 26 weeks' service (any part of a week counts as a whole week), and when you need to tell your employer.
For a baby due on Wednesday 10 March 2027, the expected week of childbirth starts on Sunday 7 March 2027. The qualifying week is 22 to 28 November 2026, so you'd need to have started your job by Saturday 6 June 2026 to get SPP, and tell your employer the due date by 28 November 2026.
Worked example: £600 a week
- 90% of £600 is £540, which is more than £194.32
- So you get £194.32 a week, and £388.64 for two weeks
On lower pay the 90% figure applies. With average weekly earnings of £200, 90% is £180, so two weeks pays £360. If you're paid £700 a month, your weekly average is £161.54 and SPP is £145.39 a week, or £290.78 for two weeks.
| Average weekly earnings | SPP per week | Two weeks |
|---|---|---|
| £129 (the minimum) | £116.10 | £232.20 |
| £180 | £162.00 | £324.00 |
| £216 or more | £194.32 | £388.64 |
When can I take paternity leave?
You can take one week or two weeks, either together or as two separate one-week blocks. Leave can't start before the birth and must finish within 52 weeks of it (or of the due date if the baby is early). You can take paternity leave and Shared Parental Leave in any order.
Notice is in two parts. Tell your employer the due date at least 15 weeks before the baby is expected, by the end of the qualifying week. Then give at least 28 days' notice of when each block of leave will start and whether you want one or two weeks.
Tips
- Check your contract. Many employers pay full salary for paternity leave instead of the statutory rate.
- If your partner is going back to work early, Shared Parental Leave could give you more paid time off together.
- See what your partner could get with the maternity pay calculator, check key pregnancy dates with the pregnancy due date calculator, and see your normal pay after tax with the take-home pay calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is paternity pay in 2026?
From 6 April 2026, Statutory Paternity Pay is £194.32 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. Two weeks at the full rate is £388.64 before tax.
How long is paternity leave in the UK?
You can take one or two weeks of paternity leave, either together or as two separate weeks. It must be taken within 52 weeks of the birth.
Do I get paternity pay if I've just started a new job?
You can take paternity leave from your first day, but to get Statutory Paternity Pay you need 26 weeks' continuous service by the end of the 15th week before the baby is due.
What is the minimum salary for paternity pay?
For 2026/27 you need average weekly earnings of at least £129 before tax, which is about £6,708 a year.
Is paternity pay taxed?
Yes. SPP is paid through payroll, so income tax and National Insurance are deducted in the same way as your normal wages.
Last reviewed October 2026 using 2026/27 figures. This calculator gives an estimate for guidance only.