Having a baby

Up to 16 weeks of paid leave for working mothers, including self-employed.

For working mothers who do not qualify for paid maternity leave due to their employment arrangements.

Up to 12 weeks of paid leave for working mothers who adopt a child.

Up to 4 weeks of paid leave for working fathers, including self-employed and adoptive fathers.

For working fathers who do not qualify for paid paternity leave due to their employment arrangements.

For working fathers to share part of their wife’s maternity leave benefits. This scheme will be replaced with a new 6 week Shared Parental Leave scheme from 1 April 2025.

(From 1 April 2025) 6 weeks of additional paid parental leave, to be shared between both parents

(From 1 April 2025) For working parents who do not qualify for paid shared parental leave due to their employment arrangements.

Up to 6 days of paid leave for those with children below 7 years old.