NHS Maternity Pay Explained: Week-by-Week Figures for 2026/27
NHS maternity pay is more generous than the statutory minimum, but only if you meet the service rule. Here is what you will be paid, week by week.
Updated · 4 min read
Try it with your own numbersNHS Maternity Pay CalculatorPlanning maternity leave is much easier when you know what will come in each month. NHS staff can get occupational maternity pay that goes well beyond the statutory minimum, but it has conditions, including one that people often miss about returning to work. This guide sets out the rules and shows real figures.
Who qualifies for NHS maternity pay
You qualify for occupational maternity pay if you have 12 months of continuous NHS service by the 11th week before the week your baby is due. Service with different NHS employers counts as long as there has been no break of more than three months.
You also need to tell your employer in writing before the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth, and say that you intend to return to NHS work.
What you get
If you qualify, your pay over the 52 weeks looks like this:
| Weeks | What you are paid |
|---|---|
| 1 to 8 | Full pay (this includes Statutory Maternity Pay) |
| 9 to 26 | Half pay plus Statutory Maternity Pay, up to full pay |
| 27 to 39 | Statutory Maternity Pay only |
| 40 to 52 | Unpaid |
Statutory Maternity Pay is £194.32 a week from April 2026, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if that is lower.
The return to work condition
The half-pay part of occupational maternity pay (weeks 9 to 26) depends on returning to NHS work for at least three months after your leave. If you do not go back, your employer can ask you to repay that part. You can still keep the statutory element. If you are unsure whether you will return, talk to your employer early, because you can choose to receive the half-pay part only after you have returned.
A worked example
Take a full-time Band 5 nurse on £32,073 a year. Her usual weekly pay is £616.79.
- Weeks 1 to 8: £616.79 a week
- Weeks 9 to 26: half pay of £308.39 plus SMP of £194.32, which is £502.71 a week
- Weeks 27 to 39: £194.32 a week
- Weeks 40 to 52: nothing
Over the full year that comes to about £16,509 before tax. If she did not qualify for occupational pay, she would get Statutory Maternity Pay only: £555.11 a week for six weeks (90% of earnings), then £194.32 for 33 weeks, about £9,743 in total.
If you do not qualify
If you have less than a year of NHS service, you may still get Statutory Maternity Pay. For that you need 26 weeks with your current employer by the 15th week before your due week and average earnings of at least £129 a week. If you do not meet those rules, you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance from Jobcentre Plus.
Tax, pension and annual leave
Maternity pay is taxed and has National Insurance deducted in the usual way. Your NHS Pension continues to build up during paid maternity leave, and during unpaid leave if you choose to pay contributions. Annual leave and public holidays continue to accrue during maternity leave, so many people take their built-up leave before returning.
Shared parental leave and partners
You can end your maternity leave early and share the remaining leave with your partner. In the NHS, occupational shared parental pay matches occupational maternity pay for those who qualify. The shared parental pay guide explains how to split it. Partners may also get two weeks of NHS paternity pay.
How maternity pay appears on your payslip
During the full-pay weeks, your payslip looks much like normal, although the payment may be split into occupational maternity pay and Statutory Maternity Pay. In the half-pay weeks, you will see half pay plus SMP. Income tax, National Insurance and pension are deducted as usual, although with lower pay you may pay less tax and drop to a lower pension tier for those months.
Common questions
When can maternity leave start? From the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth. If you are off sick with a pregnancy-related illness in the last four weeks, leave may start automatically.
Do I keep building annual leave? Yes, for the whole of maternity leave, including the unpaid part.
What are keeping in touch days? You can work up to 10 keeping in touch days during maternity leave without ending it. Payment is by agreement, often at your normal rate.
What if I have another baby straight away? If you start a second maternity leave without returning to work between the two, the rules on repaying occupational pay and qualifying service can be complex. Speak to HR early.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the notice deadline at the end of the 15th week before the due week.
- Forgetting that the half-pay part of occupational pay depends on returning for at least three months.
- Not planning for weeks 40 to 52, which are unpaid unless you use annual leave or shared parental pay.
See your own week-by-week figures
The maternity pay calculator shows each stage for your band, pay point and hours, with or without the 12-month service rule. If your baby needs neonatal care, you may also be entitled to extra leave, covered in the neonatal care pay guide.
This guide explains the general rules for staff in England using 2026/27 figures. It is not financial advice. Your employer, payslip or NHS Pensions statement has the final word on your own pay.