A bank holiday in England is a day when banks, post offices, and most government offices close, but the rules about who gets paid time off are different from the United States
In England, a bank holiday is an official public holiday when financial institutions shut down. The term comes from the fact that banks close on these days — it does not mean your bank account is on holiday. Most shops, offices, and services also close, though some supermarkets and transport services run on reduced schedules.
The key difference from American federal holidays: in England, bank holidays do not automatically mean you get the day off with pay. Your employer decides whether you work, and if you do work, whether you get extra pay. Many employment contracts build bank holidays into your annual leave allowance, meaning you have fewer separate vacation days to use. Others give you the day off paid, or pay you extra if you work. This varies by employer and industry.
If you are waiting for a refund, payment, or document from a bank or government office, a bank holiday will delay it. Cheques take longer to clear. Direct transfers may not process. Government payments scheduled for a bank holiday usually arrive the day before or after instead.
Key Takeaways
- Bank holidays in England are days when banks and most government offices close, but your employer is not required to give you the day off paid.
- If a refund or payment is scheduled to arrive on a bank holiday, it will usually arrive the working day before or after instead.
- Cheques cannot be cleared on bank holidays, so posting one just before a bank holiday will add several days to the processing time.
- England has eight bank holidays per year, plus additional ones in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
England's bank holidays and when they fall
England has eight bank holidays each year. They are: 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).
If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday becomes a bank holiday instead — this is called a "substitute" or "replacement" bank holiday. For example, if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, Boxing Day is observed on the following Monday.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each have different bank holidays in addition to the ones England observes. If you live in one of those nations or are waiting for a payment from a bank or office there, check the specific dates for your region.
How bank holidays affect refunds and payments
If your tax refund, insurance payout, business refund, or government payment is scheduled to arrive on a bank holiday, the transfer will not process that day. Most banks and payment systems treat bank holidays as non-working days, so the payment moves to the next working day instead.
This matters most if you are tracking a payment by date. If you see a scheduled payment date that falls on a bank holiday, assume it will arrive the working day after instead. If the payment is supposed to arrive by a certain date and that date is a bank holiday, contact the organisation sending the money to confirm when it will actually arrive.
Cheques are affected more severely. A cheque posted just before a bank holiday will not be cleared during the holiday, so the processing time extends. If you post a cheque on a Friday before a Monday bank holiday, it will not start clearing until Tuesday, adding at least three extra days to the standard clearing time.
What stays open and what closes on bank holidays
Banks, building societies, post offices, and most government offices close on bank holidays. The Land Registry, HMRC (tax office), and local council offices will not process applications or payments. Courts are closed. Most shops close, though some supermarkets and petrol stations stay open.
Transport usually runs on a Sunday schedule — trains and buses operate, but less frequently. Hospitals and emergency services remain open. Schools are closed. Rubbish collection may be delayed by a day.
If you need to contact a government office or bank about a refund or payment, do not expect a response on a bank holiday. Calls will go to voicemail. Online systems may still accept submissions, but they will not be processed until the next working day.
How bank holidays affect your work and pay
Your employer is not legally required to give you a bank holiday off, and they are not required to pay you extra if you work on one. What happens depends on your employment contract and your industry.
Many full-time employees in the UK have bank holidays built into their annual leave entitlement. This means you have 20 to 25 days of holiday per year, and bank holidays count toward that total — so you do not get extra days on top. Some employers give you bank holidays as paid time off separate from your holiday allowance. Others require you to work and pay you at your normal rate, or pay you extra (often time-and-a-half or double time).
If your contract does not specify what happens on bank holidays, your employer's standard practice applies. If you are unsure, ask your HR department or check your employee handbook. If you work in retail, hospitality, healthcare, or transport, you are more likely to work on bank holidays — these industries often operate on bank holidays and pay extra or give you a different day off instead.
Bank holidays and government refunds or payments
If you are waiting for a tax refund from HMRC, a state pension payment, Universal Credit, or another government payment, a bank holiday will delay it slightly. HMRC does not process refunds on bank holidays. Payments scheduled for a bank holiday are usually sent the working day before or after.
If you submitted a tax return or claim just before a bank holiday, it will not be processed during the holiday. The processing clock starts again on the next working day. This can matter if you are close to a deadline — for example, if you need a refund by a certain date and a bank holiday falls in between, contact HMRC to confirm the new timeline.
Direct payments (BACS transfers) from government offices will not arrive on a bank holiday. If your payment is scheduled for a bank holiday, it will arrive on the next working day instead. If you have not received a payment by the working day after a bank holiday, contact the office that sent it.
What to do if a refund or payment is delayed by a bank holiday
If you are tracking a refund or payment and it was supposed to arrive on a bank holiday, wait until the next working day before contacting anyone. Most organisations automatically adjust the payment date, so it will arrive without you needing to do anything.
If a payment was supposed to arrive before a bank holiday and has not arrived by the working day after, contact the organisation that sent it. Have your reference number, the original payment date, and the amount ready. Explain that you are checking whether the bank holiday caused a delay or whether there is a separate problem.
If you posted a cheque just before a bank holiday and are waiting for it to clear, add extra time to the standard three to five working days. A cheque posted on a Friday before a Monday bank holiday will take at least six working days to clear instead of three to five.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get paid if I do not work on a bank holiday?
Only if your contract says so. Some employers give bank holidays as paid time off. Others require you to use a holiday day or take unpaid leave. Check your employment contract or ask your HR department — there is no legal requirement for paid bank holidays in the UK.
Will my tax refund arrive on a bank holiday?
No. HMRC does not process refunds on bank holidays. If your refund was scheduled for a bank holiday, it will arrive on the next working day instead. You do not need to do anything — the system adjusts automatically.
How long does a cheque take to clear if I post it before a bank holiday?
Add extra days to the standard three to five working days. A cheque posted on a Friday before a Monday bank holiday will not start clearing until Tuesday, so it takes at least six working days instead. Post cheques earlier in the week to avoid bank holidays.
Can I contact my bank on a bank holiday?
Most banks close on bank holidays, so you cannot visit a branch or speak to someone in person. Some banks have phone lines open for emergencies. Online banking usually works, but transactions will not process until the next working day.
What happens to my mortgage or rent payment if it is due on a bank holiday?
Direct debits and standing orders scheduled for a bank holiday usually process on the next working day instead. Check with your bank or lender to confirm. If you are paying by cheque, post it several days early to avoid delays from the bank holiday.