The UK has between 8 and 10 bank holidays each year, depending on where you live

Bank holidays in the UK are official days when banks, government offices, and most businesses close. England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each have a slightly different number because some holidays are unique to each country. England and Wales share 8 bank holidays, Scotland has 9, and Northern Ireland has 10.

The reason the number varies is historical. Each part of the UK sets its own bank holidays, so while Christmas and New Year are observed everywhere, other days differ. If you work in banking or need to visit your bank on a specific day, knowing which holidays explore where you live matters.

Key Takeaways

  • England and Wales observe 8 bank holidays per year; Scotland observes 9; Northern Ireland observes 10.
  • Bank holidays mean your bank branch will be closed and you cannot do in-person banking, though online banking usually works.
  • The dates of some bank holidays change each year because they are tied to Easter, which moves annually.
  • If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday is usually a substitute day off instead.
  • Your employer is not required to give you all bank holidays off — they can choose which ones you get paid for.

The bank holidays observed in England and Wales

England and Wales share the same 8 bank holidays. They are: New Year's Day (1 January), Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), Easter Monday (the day after Easter Sunday), 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).

Good Friday and Easter Monday are the two that move each year because Easter's date changes. In 2024, Good Friday fell on 29 March and Easter Monday on 1 April. In 2025, they fall on 18 April and 21 April. If you need to plan ahead or know when your bank will be closed, check the specific dates for the year you are interested in.

When a bank holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the UK observes a substitute day on the following Monday or Tuesday instead. This means you get the day off work, but the official holiday date and the day you have off are different. Your bank will be closed on the substitute day, not the original date.

The bank holidays observed in Scotland

Scotland observes 9 bank holidays. It shares New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day with England and Wales. The additional holiday unique to Scotland is 2 January, which is a bank holiday the day after New Year.

This means if you live in Scotland and your bank is a Scottish branch, you will have one extra day when the bank is closed compared to someone in England or Wales. The same rule about substitute days applies: if a holiday falls on a weekend, the following weekday becomes the day off.

The bank holidays observed in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland observes 10 bank holidays, the most of any part of the UK. It shares New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day with the rest of the UK. It also observes 2 January like Scotland, plus two additional holidays: St Patrick's Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (12 July).

If you bank with a Northern Ireland branch, you will see more closure days than in other parts of the UK. Again, if any of these dates fall on a weekend, the substitute day is observed instead.

What happens to your banking on a bank holiday

On a bank holiday, physical bank branches are closed and you cannot visit in person, speak to a cashier, or deposit cheques at a counter. However, most online banking services continue to work. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and set up payments using your bank's app or website.

Standing orders and direct debits still process on bank holidays as normal. If a payment is due on a bank holiday, it usually goes through on that day or the next working day, depending on your bank's system. If you need to do something that requires a branch visit, you will need to wait until the next working day.

Some banks have limited services on bank holidays. A few branches in major city centres or airports may open for a few hours, but this is rare. Check your specific bank's website or call their customer service line before a bank holiday if you are unsure whether your branch will be open.

How bank holidays affect your pay and time off

Bank holidays are not automatically paid time off for all workers. Your employer decides whether you get paid for bank holidays and which ones. Some employers give all bank holidays off as paid days. Others require you to work and pay you extra, or they count bank holidays as part of your annual leave allowance.

Your employment contract should state how bank holidays are handled. If it does not, ask your HR department or manager. If you are self-employed or a freelancer, bank holidays do not affect your income unless you choose not to work.

Planning around bank holidays

If you need to do banking business on a specific date, check whether it is a bank holiday first. Most banks publish their holiday closure dates on their website at the start of the year. You can also find the full list of UK bank holidays on the UK government website.

For time-sensitive transactions — like paying a bill before a important date or depositing a cheque before a certain date — plan ahead. If the important date falls on or just after a bank holiday, do the transaction a day or two earlier. If you use online banking, you can often complete these tasks without waiting for a branch to open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all UK banks close on the same bank holidays?

No. Banks in England and Wales close on the same 8 holidays, but Scottish banks close on 9, and Northern Irish banks close on 10. If you have accounts with banks in different parts of the UK, they may have different closure dates.

What happens if I need to access my money on a bank holiday?

You can use ATMs and online banking on bank holidays. If you need cash, withdraw it before the holiday. If you need to transfer money or pay a bill, use your bank's app or website. Only in-person branch services are unavailable.

Can my employer make me work on a bank holiday?

Yes. Bank holidays are not automatically days off for all workers. Your contract sets out which holidays you get paid for and whether you must work. Some jobs, like retail and healthcare, often require staff to work bank holidays.

Do the dates of bank holidays ever change?

Most bank holidays fall on the same date each year, but Good Friday and Easter Monday change because Easter moves. The government can also move a bank holiday in exceptional circumstances, though this is rare. Check your bank's website each year for the exact dates.

If a bank holiday falls on a Saturday, do I get Friday or Monday off instead?

Usually Monday. If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the substitute day is typically the following Monday. If it falls on a Sunday and Christmas or Boxing Day, the substitute may be Tuesday instead. Your employer's policy on substitute days should be in your contract.