Day-One Paternity and Parental Leave Rights from April 2026: What UK Employers Need to Know From 6 April 2026, both paternity leave and unpaid parental leave became day-one rights in the UK. This means eligible employees
Day-One Paternity and Parental Leave Rights from April 2026: What UK Employers Need to Know
From 6 April 2026, both paternity leave and unpaid parental leave became day-one rights in the UK. This means eligible employees no longer need a minimum period of service before they can qualify for these types of leave. Previously, employees needed 26 weeks’ service to qualify for paternity leave and 1 year’s service to qualify for unpaid parental leave. Acas and the government’s employment changes guidance both confirm that these service requirements were removed from 6 April 2026. (Acas)
For employers and employees, the practical effect is that qualifying parents can now access these leave rights from the first day of employment, which gives families more immediate support when they need time away from work following the birth or adoption of a child, or when taking unpaid time off to care for a child. Acas says this change applies to entitlement to the leave itself, while the government guidance explains that employees are eligible to give notice to take paternity leave and unpaid parental leave from their first day in a new job. (Business Growth Service)
There is one important distinction to keep in mind: Statutory Paternity Pay has not become a full day-one right. While paternity leave now starts from day one, the separate rules for paternity pay still apply. GOV.UK’s guidance on paternity eligibility confirms that employees are eligible for paternity leave from their first day of employment, but statutory pay remains subject to the relevant earnings and eligibility rules. A government explanatory document on the 2026 regulations also states that the previous 26-week qualifying period for Paternity Pay is unchanged. (GOV.UK)
Overall, this is an important family-friendly change for UK workplaces. It widens access to time off for new and existing employees, particularly those who join a business shortly before becoming a parent, while still keeping separate qualifying conditions in place for statutory paternity pay. (Acas)
Official guidance:
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Acas: Employment Rights Act 2025 (Acas)
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GOV.UK: Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave guidance (Business Growth Service)
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