May bank holidays in the UK and how they affect banking
The UK observes two bank holidays in May: Early May Bank Holiday (the first Monday in May) and Spring Bank Holiday (the last Monday in May). On these days, most UK banks close entirely — you cannot visit a branch, and staff do not process payments or transfers. However, you can still use ATMs, online banking, and mobile apps to check balances and move money between your own accounts.
If you are waiting for a refund, tax payment, or government transfer to arrive, a May bank holiday can delay it by one working day. Payments scheduled to land on a bank holiday will usually arrive the next working day instead. The exact timing depends on whether your bank processes payments before or after the holiday and how your payment was sent.
Key Takeaways
- UK banks close on Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May) and Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May), but ATMs and online banking remain available.
- Payments scheduled for a bank holiday typically arrive on the next working day, though some banks process them the day before.
- Tax refunds, government payments, and business refunds follow the same delay — the bank holiday does not speed them up or slow them down beyond the one-day shift.
- If you need money urgently around a bank holiday, check your bank's payment processing schedule or contact them directly to confirm when your transfer will land.
How bank holidays affect tax refunds and government payments
HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) and other government bodies do not stop processing refunds on bank holidays, but your bank does. If HMRC sends your tax refund on a Friday before Early May Bank Holiday, your bank will not receive and credit it until the Tuesday after the holiday. The refund itself is not delayed — only the moment your bank makes it visible in your account.
The same applies to other government payments: Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Pension Credit, and state pension payments. These are usually sent on a fixed day each month. If that day falls on a bank holiday, the payment arrives the next working day. If the payment day is a Friday before a bank holiday weekend, you will see the money on Tuesday morning.
To check when your specific refund or payment should arrive, log into your HMRC account, your Universal Credit journal, or your pension provider's portal. These show the scheduled payment date, which already accounts for bank holidays. You do not need to do anything — the delay is automatic and built into the system.
What happens if you are waiting for a business or insurance refund
Business refunds (from suppliers, returns, or overpayments) and insurance refunds (from cancelled policies or claims) follow the same rule as government payments: the company processes the refund, but your bank's closure delays when you see it. A refund sent on the Friday before Early May Bank Holiday will not appear in your account until Tuesday.
Some companies batch-process refunds on specific days of the week. If your refund is scheduled for a Tuesday that falls on a bank holiday, the company may send it the day before (Monday) so it reaches your bank before the closure, or they may wait until Wednesday. Check your refund confirmation email or the company's website to see whether they mention bank holiday adjustments.
If you have not received a refund within the timeframe the company promised, and a bank holiday has passed since you requested it, contact the company to ask whether the holiday caused a delay. Most will confirm this and give you a new expected date. If the delay is longer than one working day, ask them to investigate.
Tracking your refund or payment around a bank holiday
The best way to track a refund or payment is through the organisation sending it. HMRC shows refund status in your online account. Your bank shows the payment once it has been received and processed. Insurance companies and businesses usually send a confirmation email with a reference number you can use to track the refund.
If you are expecting money to arrive on or near a May bank holiday, note the date and check your account the next working day. Most payments land between 8 a.m. and midday, though some banks process them later. If the payment does not appear by the end of the next working day, contact the organisation that sent it — not your bank, unless the organisation confirms they sent it and your bank says it never arrived.
Online banking and mobile apps update in real time, so you can check your balance at any time, even on a bank holiday. ATMs also work on bank holidays, so you can withdraw cash if you need it urgently.
What to do if your refund is delayed past the bank holiday
If your refund was supposed to arrive before the bank holiday and it has not shown up by the working day after, start by checking the original confirmation. Look for the promised delivery date and the reference number. Then contact the organisation that sent the refund — not your bank — and give them the reference number.
Tell them the date you requested the refund, the date it was supposed to arrive, and that it has not appeared. Ask them to confirm whether they sent it and, if so, when. If they say they sent it before the bank holiday, ask them to contact your bank to trace it. If they say they have not sent it yet, ask for a new date and ask them to confirm they will send it before or after the next bank holiday, depending on their processing schedule.
Most refunds that go missing around bank holidays are found within a few days. Your bank can trace a payment if the sending organisation provides the exact amount, date sent, and your account details. This usually takes three to five working days.
Planning ahead for May bank holidays
If you are expecting a refund or payment in May, check the dates of the two bank holidays (first Monday and last Monday) and count back from your expected arrival date. If your payment is due to land on a bank holiday or the day after, assume it will arrive one working day later than usual.
If you need the money by a specific date — to pay a bill, for example — do not rely on a payment arriving on a bank holiday. Ask the organisation sending it whether they can send it earlier, or plan to cover the gap yourself. If you are sending a payment to someone else, send it at least two working days before a bank holiday to make sure it arrives on time.
For regular payments like Universal Credit or pensions, your bank and the government already account for bank holidays. You do not need to do anything. The payment will arrive on the next working day if it falls on a holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw cash on a May bank holiday?
Yes. ATMs work on bank holidays, and you can withdraw cash 24 hours a day. If you need money urgently on a bank holiday, use an ATM. You can also use contactless payment or your mobile banking app to pay for things without visiting a branch.
Will my online banking work on a bank holiday?
Yes. Online banking, mobile apps, and ATMs all work on bank holidays. You can check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, and pay bills. You just cannot visit a branch or speak to staff in person.
What if my refund was supposed to arrive on the bank holiday itself?
It will arrive the next working day. If Early May Bank Holiday is a Monday and your refund was scheduled for Monday, it will arrive on Tuesday. The organisation sending it may process it on Friday or Monday, but your bank will not credit it until Tuesday.
Do I need to tell my bank about a refund coming around a bank holiday?
No. Your bank already knows about bank holidays and processes payments accordingly. You do not need to contact them unless a payment is late by more than one working day after the holiday.
Can a company refuse to send a refund because of a bank holiday?
No. A bank holiday may delay when you see the refund in your account, but it does not delay the company sending it. If a company says they cannot send a refund because of a bank holiday, that is not a valid reason. Ask them for a specific date when they will send it.