A bank holiday in the UK is a day when most banks, government offices, and many businesses shut down, and it's a public day off for most workers.

Bank holidays are set by law and happen on specific dates each year. When one falls on a weekday, you cannot visit your bank in person, withdraw cash from most branches, or conduct business that requires a staff member. Online banking usually still works. Post offices close too, which matters if you need to send money or handle postal services. Schools close, and most private businesses give their staff the day off, though some shops and services stay open.

The UK has between eight and ten bank holidays per year depending on where you live. England, Wales, and Scotland each have slightly different dates—Scotland observes different holidays than England, and Northern Ireland has its own calendar. If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday becomes a substitute day off, called a "substitute bank holiday" or "in lieu" day.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank holidays are official public days off when banks, post offices, and government offices close, though online banking usually remains available.
  • The dates vary by region: England has eight bank holidays per year, Scotland has nine, and Northern Ireland has ten, with some falling on different dates.
  • If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday becomes a substitute day off instead.
  • You can still use ATMs and online banking on bank holidays, but you cannot visit a branch or speak to staff in person.
  • Planning ahead matters if you need to pay bills, transfer money, or handle postal services on or around a bank holiday.

Which days are bank holidays in the UK

England and Wales observe the same eight bank holidays: New Year's Day (1 January), Good Friday (varies, usually March or April), Easter Monday (varies, usually March or April), Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May), Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May), Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December).

Scotland observes nine bank holidays and uses different dates for some. It does not observe Easter Monday or the Spring Bank Holiday. Instead, it has a Bank Holiday on 2 January and a different date for its summer break. Northern Ireland has ten bank holidays and includes both Easter Monday and an additional holiday on 17 March (St Patrick's Day).

If any of these dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday (or sometimes Tuesday) becomes a substitute bank holiday. For example, if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, both Saturday and the following Monday are days off. Your employer and bank will observe the substitute date, not the original one.

What closes and what stays open

Banks close entirely on bank holidays. You cannot visit a branch, speak to a cashier, or access services that require staff. However, ATMs stay open and work normally. Online banking platforms—apps, websites, and telephone banking—continue to function. If you need to check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, or pay bills online, you can do this on a bank holiday.

Post offices close on bank holidays, so you cannot send parcels, buy stamps, or access postal services. Government offices and courts close. Most schools close. Supermarkets and many shops stay open, though some reduce their hours. Restaurants, pubs, and entertainment venues often stay open. Transport runs on a reduced or modified schedule—buses and trains may run less frequently, and some routes may not operate at all.

If you need to pay someone by bank transfer on a bank holiday, the payment will usually process, but it may not reach the recipient's account until the next working day. Standing orders and direct debits continue as normal. Cheques deposited on a bank holiday will not clear until after the holiday ends.

Planning around bank holidays

If you know a bank holiday is coming and you need cash, withdraw it the day before. ATMs work on bank holidays, but if the machine runs out of money and staff are not there to refill it, you will have no access. Branches do not restock during the holiday.

If you need to post something, send it before the bank holiday. Anything posted on a bank holiday will not be collected until the next working day, and delivery will be delayed. If you have a cheque to deposit, do it before the holiday so it clears on schedule.

If you are expecting a payment or transfer, check whether it will arrive before or after the bank holiday. Payments sent on a bank holiday may not show in your account until the next working day. If you have bills due around a bank holiday, pay them a few days early to avoid missing the important date.

If you work in a role that requires bank services—payroll, accounting, or payments to suppliers—plan your schedule so critical transactions happen before the bank holiday. Some businesses close on bank holidays too, so check whether your suppliers or customers will be open.

Bank holidays and your pay

If you are employed and your contract says you get bank holidays off, your employer must pay you for that day as if you worked. You do not lose pay. However, if your job requires you to work on a bank holiday, your contract will specify whether you get paid extra, get paid at your normal rate, or get a substitute day off instead. This varies by employer and industry.

If you are self-employed or a freelancer, bank holidays do not automatically give you a day off or extra pay. You decide whether to work. Some self-employed people work on bank holidays because clients are closed and there is less demand. Others take the day off and lose that day's income.

Differences between bank holidays and other closures

A bank holiday is different from a bank closure. A bank closure means a branch permanently shuts down. A bank holiday is a temporary, planned closure that happens on the same date every year (or on a substitute date if it falls on a weekend). When a bank holiday ends, the branch reopens the next working day.

Bank holidays are also different from emergency closures. If a bank closes unexpectedly due to a system failure, security issue, or other emergency, that is not a bank holiday. Emergency closures are rare and usually affect only certain branches or services, not the whole country.

What to do if you have an urgent banking need on a bank holiday

If you need to move money urgently on a bank holiday, use online banking or your bank's app. Most transfers between accounts at the same bank process when ready, even on a bank holiday. Transfers to other banks may take until the next working day to show in the recipient's account, but the payment will go through.

If you need cash and your local ATM is empty, try ATMs at other locations—supermarkets, petrol stations, and shopping centres often have machines that are refilled more frequently. If you have a credit card, you can use it to buy things instead of using cash.

If you have a genuine emergency that requires speaking to your bank—fraud, a lost card, or a critical payment—call your bank's emergency number. Most banks have a 24-hour phone line for emergencies on bank holidays. The number is usually on the back of your card or on your bank's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to work on a bank holiday?

It depends on your contract and your job. If your contract says you get bank holidays off, your employer must give you the day off and pay you. If your job requires you to work on bank holidays—such as healthcare, retail, or hospitality—your contract will say so, and you will be paid according to your agreement, which may include extra pay or a substitute day off.

Will my online banking work on a bank holiday?

Yes. Most online banking platforms, apps, and telephone banking continue to work on bank holidays. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills. Transfers to other banks may not show in the recipient's account until the next working day, but the payment will process.

What if I need to deposit a cheque on a bank holiday?

You cannot deposit a cheque at a branch on a bank holiday because branches are closed. Some banks offer mobile cheque deposit through their app, which you can use on a bank holiday. Otherwise, deposit it the day before or the day after. Cheques deposited on a bank holiday will not clear until after the holiday ends.

Are bank holidays the same across the whole UK?

No. England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each have different bank holiday dates. Scotland has nine bank holidays per year, England and Wales have eight, and Northern Ireland has ten. Some dates are the same across all regions, but others differ. Check your local calendar to see which holidays explore where you live.

What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?

If a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday (or sometimes Tuesday) becomes a substitute bank holiday instead. You get the day off on the substitute date, not on the original date. Your bank and employer will observe the substitute date.