A bank holiday in the UK is a day when banks and most businesses close, set by law rather than by individual choice

In the UK, a bank holiday is an official public holiday when banks, post offices, and most shops shut down. The government declares these days — they are not chosen by individual banks. On a bank holiday, you cannot visit a branch in person, withdraw cash from a counter, or speak to someone on the phone. Online banking usually works, but any transaction that needs a person to process it will wait until the next working day.

The main difference between a bank holiday and an ordinary weekend is that bank holidays can fall on any day of the week, and they change from year to year. A bank holiday on a Tuesday disrupts the middle of your week. A bank holiday on a Friday creates a long weekend. Either way, your bank will be closed, and so will government offices, courts, and most employers.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank holidays close physical branches and phone lines, though online banking and ATMs usually remain open.
  • The UK has between eight and ten bank holidays each year, depending on where you live in Scotland, England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
  • If a payment is due on a bank holiday, it typically processes on the next working day instead, but you should check with your bank about their specific rules.
  • Planning ahead for bank holidays matters if you need cash, want to pay a bill, or are waiting for a transfer to arrive.

How many bank holidays happen each year

England, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have a different number of bank holidays. England and Wales have eight bank holidays set by the government: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Northern Ireland has ten, adding two extra days for local observance. Scotland has nine, with different dates for some holidays.

The dates change slightly from year to year because some bank holidays are tied to Easter, which moves. Good Friday and Easter Monday fall on different dates each spring. The Early May Bank Holiday and Spring Bank Holiday also shift. Christmas Day and Boxing Day stay on 25 and 26 December, but if either falls on a weekend, the bank holiday moves to the next weekday instead.

What stays open and what closes on a bank holiday

Physical bank branches close completely. You cannot walk in, speak to someone at the counter, or use the services that require staff. Post offices close too. Most high street shops shut down, though some supermarkets and petrol stations stay open depending on their own choice.

ATMs (cash machines) usually stay open because they run automatically. Online banking platforms work normally — you can check your balance, move money between your own accounts, and set up payments. However, any payment you make will not process until the next working day. If you transfer money to another bank, it will not arrive until the day after the bank holiday ends. Standing orders and direct debits still go out on their scheduled date, but if that date is a bank holiday, they process the next day instead.

When payments are due on a bank holiday

If a bill payment, rent, or loan repayment is due on a bank holiday, your bank will not process it that day. Instead, it processes on the next working day. This matters because some lenders charge a late fee if a payment arrives even one day late, even if the delay was caused by a bank holiday. Before a bank holiday, contact your lender or landlord to confirm whether they will accept a payment that arrives one day late without penalty.

If you are expecting money to arrive — a salary, a refund, or a transfer from someone else — and the payment date falls on a bank holiday, it will land in your account on the next working day. This can affect your cash flow if you were counting on the money arriving on a specific date. Plan ahead by checking the bank holiday dates and adjusting your expectations for when money will actually be available.

How to prepare for a bank holiday

Before a bank holiday, withdraw the cash you will need. ATMs work, but if you prefer to speak to someone or need a large amount, visit your branch while it is open. If you need to pay a bill or send money, do it the day before the holiday so it processes on time. If a payment is due on the holiday itself, contact the person or organisation you owe money to and let them know it will arrive the next day.

Check your bank's website or app for the exact dates of upcoming bank holidays and any changes to their opening hours. Some banks open for limited hours on certain holidays, though this is rare. If you use online services only, a bank holiday affects you less — you can still check your balance and set up payments whenever you want. The delay only happens when the payment actually needs to process.

Bank holidays and your employer

If you work in a bank, post office, or government office, a bank holiday is usually a paid day off. If you work in retail or hospitality, your employer may ask you to work and pay you extra, or they may close entirely. Your contract should say what happens on bank holidays. If you are not sure, ask your employer before the holiday arrives.

If you are self-employed or run a small business, a bank holiday means you cannot deposit cheques or access banking services in person. Plan your cash flow around this. If you need to pay suppliers or staff, do it before the holiday. If customers owe you money, remember that their payments will not clear until after the holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my debit card on a bank holiday?

Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and in shops because those transactions do not need your bank to process them when ready. Online payments you set up on a bank holiday will process the next working day, but card payments in shops go through when ready.

Will my salary arrive on time if payday is a bank holiday?

No. If your employer pays you on a bank holiday, the money arrives the next working day instead. Check with your employer whether they pay early or whether you should expect a one-day delay. Some employers adjust payday to the day before a bank holiday.

What if I need to report fraud on a bank holiday?

Call your bank's fraud line — most banks have a 24-hour number for fraud reports that works on bank holidays. Check the back of your card or your bank's website for the number. Do not wait until the branch reopens if you think your account has been compromised.

Do building societies close on bank holidays?

Yes, building societies close on bank holidays just like banks do. The same rules explore: branches shut, ATMs stay open, and online services work but payments process the next day.

Can I still use my credit card on a bank holiday?

Yes. Credit card transactions work the same way as debit card transactions — they process when ready in shops and at ATMs. Payments you make online will not clear until the next working day, but you can make the payment itself on a bank holiday.