diff --git a/esphome/components/time_based/cover.py b/esphome/components/time_based/cover.py
index 0a9eb683e9..439f3407ba 100644
--- a/esphome/components/time_based/cover.py
+++ b/esphome/components/time_based/cover.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ TimeBasedCover = time_based_ns.class_("TimeBasedCover", cover.Cover, cg.Componen
 CONF_HAS_BUILT_IN_ENDSTOP = "has_built_in_endstop"
 CONF_MANUAL_CONTROL = "manual_control"
 CONF_TILT_DURATION = "tilt_duration"
+CONF_ACTIVATION_DELAY = "activation_delay"
 
 CONFIG_SCHEMA = cover.COVER_SCHEMA.extend(
     {
@@ -31,7 +32,10 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cover.COVER_SCHEMA.extend(
         cv.Optional(CONF_MANUAL_CONTROL, default=False): cv.boolean,
         cv.Optional(CONF_ASSUMED_STATE, default=True): cv.boolean,
         cv.Optional(
-            CONF_TILT_DURATION, default=0
+            CONF_TILT_DURATION, default="0s"
+        ): cv.positive_time_period_milliseconds,
+        cv.Optional(
+            CONF_ACTIVATION_DELAY, default="0s"
         ): cv.positive_time_period_milliseconds,
     }
 ).extend(cv.COMPONENT_SCHEMA)
@@ -60,3 +64,4 @@ async def to_code(config):
     cg.add(var.set_manual_control(config[CONF_MANUAL_CONTROL]))
     cg.add(var.set_assumed_state(config[CONF_ASSUMED_STATE]))
     cg.add(var.set_tilt_duration(config[CONF_TILT_DURATION]))
+    cg.add(var.set_activation_delay(config[CONF_ACTIVATION_DELAY]))
diff --git a/esphome/components/time_based/time_based_cover.cpp b/esphome/components/time_based/time_based_cover.cpp
index 661916f9e4..84a603d269 100644
--- a/esphome/components/time_based/time_based_cover.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/time_based/time_based_cover.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ void TimeBasedCover::dump_config() {
 
   if (this->tilt_duration_ > 0)
     ESP_LOGCONFIG(TAG, "  Tilt Duration: %ums", this->tilt_duration_);
+
+  ESP_LOGCONFIG(TAG, "  Activation delay: %ums", this->activation_delay_);
 }
 void TimeBasedCover::setup() {
   auto restore = this->restore_state_();
@@ -122,8 +124,9 @@ void TimeBasedCover::control(const CoverCall &call) {
       }
 
       const auto tilt_change_duration_ms = (requested_tilt - this->tilt) * this->tilt_duration_;
-      const auto new_pos = tilt_change_duration_ms / operation_duration_ms;
-      this->target_position_ += new_pos;
+      const auto position_shift = tilt_change_duration_ms / operation_duration_ms;
+
+      this->target_position_ = this->position + position_shift;
       this->start_direction_(op);
     }
   }
@@ -176,6 +179,7 @@ void TimeBasedCover::start_direction_(CoverOperation dir) {
   this->stop_prev_trigger_();
   trig->trigger();
   this->prev_command_trigger_ = trig;
+  this->remaining_activation_delay_ = this->activation_delay_;
 }
 void TimeBasedCover::recompute_position_() {
   if (this->current_operation == COVER_OPERATION_IDLE)
@@ -199,11 +203,17 @@ void TimeBasedCover::recompute_position_() {
   const uint32_t now = millis();
   const uint32_t step_duration = now - this->last_recompute_time_;
 
-  this->position += dir * (step_duration) / action_dur;
-  this->position = clamp(this->position, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+  this->remaining_activation_delay_ -= step_duration;
 
-  this->tilt += dir * (step_duration) / this->tilt_duration_;
-  this->tilt = clamp(this->tilt, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+  if (this->remaining_activation_delay_ <= 0) {
+    this->remaining_activation_delay_ = 0;
+
+    this->position += dir * (step_duration) / action_dur;
+    this->position = clamp(this->position, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+
+    this->tilt += dir * (step_duration) / this->tilt_duration_;
+    this->tilt = clamp(this->tilt, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+  }
 
   this->last_recompute_time_ = now;
 }
diff --git a/esphome/components/time_based/time_based_cover.h b/esphome/components/time_based/time_based_cover.h
index f2f7518909..e612bb9e6d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/time_based/time_based_cover.h
+++ b/esphome/components/time_based/time_based_cover.h
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ class TimeBasedCover : public cover::Cover, public Component {
   void set_open_duration(uint32_t open_duration) { this->open_duration_ = open_duration; }
   void set_close_duration(uint32_t close_duration) { this->close_duration_ = close_duration; }
   void set_tilt_duration(uint32_t tilt_duration_ms) { this->tilt_duration_ = tilt_duration_ms; }
+  void set_activation_delay(uint32_t activation_delay_ms) { this->activation_delay_ = activation_delay_ms; }
   cover::CoverTraits get_traits() override;
   void set_has_built_in_endstop(bool value) { this->has_built_in_endstop_ = value; }
   void set_manual_control(bool value) { this->manual_control_ = value; }
@@ -41,11 +42,13 @@ class TimeBasedCover : public cover::Cover, public Component {
   uint32_t close_duration_;
   Trigger<> *stop_trigger_{new Trigger<>()};
   uint32_t tilt_duration_;
+  uint32_t activation_delay_;
 
   Trigger<> *prev_command_trigger_{nullptr};
   uint32_t last_recompute_time_{0};
   uint32_t start_dir_time_{0};
   uint32_t last_publish_time_{0};
+  int32_t remaining_activation_delay_{0};
   float target_position_{0};
   bool has_built_in_endstop_{false};
   bool manual_control_{false};
diff --git a/tests/components/time_based/common.yaml b/tests/components/time_based/common.yaml
index ff3f36b3bb..a2042f9f78 100644
--- a/tests/components/time_based/common.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/time_based/common.yaml
@@ -11,3 +11,4 @@ cover:
       - logger.log: close_action
     close_duration: 4.5min
     tilt_duration: 1s
+    activation_delay: 300ms