MPC

Shared Parental Leave Calculator 2026/27

Work out how to split your maternity leave and Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) between you and your partner. See how many paid weeks each parent receives and the total family income.

Calculate Your Shared Parental Leave

£

Minimum 2 weeks compulsory leave

Maximum 50 weeks total between parents

How Does Shared Parental Leave Work in the UK?

Shared Parental Leave (SPL) was introduced in April 2015 to give families more flexibility in how they care for their newborn baby. Instead of the traditional model where the mother takes all 52 weeks of maternity leave, SPL allows eligible parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them.

The mother must "curtail" (end early) her maternity leave or SMP to create the pool of shared leave. She must take a minimum of 2 weeks of compulsory maternity leave after the birth (4 weeks if she works in a factory). After that, any remaining leave and pay can be shared with her partner.

Shared Parental Leave Eligibility Requirements

To take SPL, both parents must meet specific eligibility criteria. The rules are slightly different for the mother and her partner:

Mother's Eligibility

  • ✓Be entitled to maternity leave, or to SMP or Maternity Allowance
  • ✓Have given notice to curtail maternity leave or SMP/MA
  • ✓Still be working for the same employer (or it's not reasonably practicable to return)

Partner's Eligibility

  • ✓Employed continuously for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the due date
  • ✓Still employed by the same employer when taking SPL
  • ✓Earn at least £129 per week on average (the Lower Earnings Limit for 2026/27)

How Much is Shared Parental Pay (ShPP)?

Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is paid at the statutory flat rate of £194.32 per week for the 2026/27 tax year, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that's lower. This is the same as the lower rate of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP).

The mother always receives the first 6 weeks of maternity pay at 90% of her average weekly earnings — this higher rate cannot be transferred to the partner. Only the remaining 33 weeks of flat-rate pay form the shared pool. Combined with the mother's SMP, there are a maximum of 39 paid weeks available to split between parents.

How to Apply for Shared Parental Leave

You need to follow these steps to take Shared Parental Leave:

  1. Give notice to curtail maternity leave. The mother submits a binding notice to her employer that she will end her maternity leave early.
  2. Submit an SPL notice. Each parent gives their employer at least 8 weeks' notice of their intention to take SPL, including proposed dates.
  3. Book your leave. Submit a period of leave notice at least 8 weeks before you want to start. You can take up to 3 separate blocks of leave.
  4. Provide evidence. Your employer can ask for a copy of the birth certificate and details of the other parent's employer.

Shared Parental Leave vs Maternity Leave

FeatureMaternity LeaveShared Parental Leave
Total weeks52 weeks (mother only)50 weeks shared between parents
Paid weeks39 weeks37 weeks (shared pool)
Higher rate pay6 weeks at 90% of AWEMother keeps 6 weeks at 90%
Can both be off?No (just 2 weeks paternity)Yes — at the same time
FlexibilityOne continuous blockUp to 3 blocks, with breaks
KIT/SPLIT days10 KIT days20 SPLIT days each

SPLIT Days: Keeping in Touch During Shared Parental Leave

During SPL, each parent is entitled to 20 "Shared Parental Leave In Touch" (SPLIT) days. These are in addition to the 10 Keeping In Touch (KIT) days available during maternity leave. SPLIT days allow you to work for your employer without ending your SPL. They're entirely optional — neither you nor your employer can insist on them.

Can Self-Employed Parents Take Shared Parental Leave?

Self-employed parents cannot take SPL themselves, but a self-employed mother receiving Maternity Allowance can curtail her MA to allow her employed partner to take SPL. The partner must meet the employment and earnings requirements with their own employer. This is a common scenario for freelancers and contractors whose partners are employed.

How Does Shared Parental Leave Affect Other Benefits?

During SPL, you continue to accrue annual leave and your pension rights are protected. If you receive employer benefits such as a company car, phone, or health insurance, these generally continue during SPL just as they would during maternity leave. Your contract of employment continues throughout, and you have the right to return to the same job if your total leave is 26 weeks or less, or a suitable alternative role if it's longer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shared Parental Leave (SPL)?
Shared Parental Leave allows eligible mothers and their partners to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay between them after the birth of a child. The mother must curtail her maternity leave to create the shared leave, and both parents can take leave at the same time or separately.
Who is eligible for Shared Parental Leave?
Both parents must meet eligibility requirements. The mother must be entitled to maternity leave or SMP/MA. The partner (the person taking SPL) must have been employed continuously for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the due date and earn at least £129 per week on average. Separately, the mother must also pass an 'employment and earnings test' — she must have worked for at least 26 of the 66 weeks before the due date and earned at least £390 in total across any 13 of those weeks. These are two different tests for two different parents.
How much is Shared Parental Pay (ShPP)?
Shared Parental Pay (ShPP) is paid at the statutory flat rate of £194.32 per week (2026/27), or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that's less. It's the same rate as the lower SMP rate. The 6 weeks at 90% pay are always part of the mother's SMP, not the shared portion.
Can both parents take Shared Parental Leave at the same time?
Yes. One of the key advantages of SPL over traditional maternity/paternity leave is that both parents can be off work at the same time. This allows families to spend time together during the early weeks or transition care between parents gradually.
Do I have to take Shared Parental Leave in one block?
No. SPL can be taken in up to three separate blocks (unless your employer agrees to more). You can return to work between blocks. Each block requires a notice period of at least 8 weeks. Your employer can refuse a discontinuous leave pattern but must accept a continuous block.
How does Shared Parental Leave affect my pension and holiday?
During SPL, you continue to accrue holiday entitlement as normal. Employer pension contributions are based on actual pay received during SPL. You also retain all your employment rights during SPL, just as with maternity leave. Your job is protected under employment law.
Read our complete SMP guide for more details →