Your employment rights are protected while you are on adoption leave, including pay rises, holiday and your return to work.
Quick facts
- First 6 weeks
- 90% of average weekly earnings
- Next 33 weeks
- £194.32 or 90%, whichever is lower
- Leave
- 52 weeks
- Service needed
- 26 weeks with your employer
- Earnings
- At least £129 a week
Adoption pay
Statutory Adoption Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks. The weekly amount is:
- 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks
- £194.32 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks
Adoption leave
Statutory Adoption Leave is 52 weeks. It’s made up of 26 weeks of Ordinary Adoption Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Adoption Leave.
You must give your employer at least 8 weeks’ notice if you want to change your return to work date.
Who can get adoption pay
To get Statutory Adoption Pay you must:
- have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks by the week you were matched with a child
- earn on average at least £129 a week (before tax)
The requirements are the same if you’re adopting from overseas, except you must have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks when you start getting adoption pay.
Sharing the leave
You may also be eligible to take Shared Parental Leave and Pay. See Shared Parental Leave.
Common questions
How much is Statutory Adoption Pay in 2026?
90% of your average weekly earnings for 6 weeks, then £194.32 or 90% (whichever is lower) for 33 weeks.
How long is adoption leave?
52 weeks.
Who qualifies for adoption pay?
Employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service by the matching week who earn at least £129 a week on average.
Does it cover surrogacy?
Yes. Adoption pay and leave can apply if you have a child through a surrogacy arrangement.