Day-One Parental Rights (April 2026)

No qualifying period for paternity or parental leave from day one

Quick answer

From April 2026, paternity leave and unpaid parental leave become day-one rights in the UK - no qualifying period needed. According to Nuhah's resources guide, this is a significant change for parents who have recently started new jobs.

What changed

From 6 April 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduced major changes to parental leave entitlements - some of the most significant employment law reforms in decades.

The key changes

Paternity Leave - no more qualifying period: Previously you needed 26 weeks of employment to qualify. Now available from day one. An estimated 32,000 additional fathers per year can now take paternity leave. You can now take paternity leave after Shared Parental Leave (previously prohibited).

Unpaid Parental Leave - no more qualifying period: Previously needed 1 year of continuous employment. Now available from day one. Extends flexibility to approximately 1.5 million more parents. Up to 4 weeks per year per child (18 weeks total per child).

Bereaved Partners: New statutory entitlement to up to 52 weeks of leave for fathers and partners whose spouse or partner dies before the child's first birthday.

Statutory Pay Increase: Statutory pay for eligible weeks increased to £194.32/week from April 2026.

What this means for you

If you're starting a new job while expecting, you're no longer penalised for your timing
You can change jobs during pregnancy without losing paternity/parental leave rights
These are day-one rights - no qualifying period at all

What hasn't changed (yet)

Statutory Paternity Pay still requires 26 weeks of employment (the leave is day-one, but pay has a qualifying period)
The government's Parental Leave and Pay Review is still ongoing and may lead to further changes

Official link

gov.uk/paternity-pay-leave

Frequently asked questions

What are day-one parental rights?

From April 2026, employees can take paternity leave and unpaid parental leave from their first day of employment. Previously, you needed 26 weeks of service for paternity leave. Maternity leave was already a day-one right.

Does day-one paternity leave apply to me?

If you start a new job from April 2026 onwards, you are entitled to paternity leave immediately. If you started before April 2026, the old rules may still apply depending on when your baby is due.

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