A bank holiday in the UK is a day when banks, most businesses, and government offices close, and most people do not work

Bank holidays are official public holidays set by the UK government. On these days, banks shut their doors, the stock market does not trade, and most shops, offices, and services either close entirely or run on reduced hours. If you need to deposit a cheque, transfer money, or visit your bank in person, a bank holiday will delay that by at least one day.

The term "bank holiday" comes from the 19th century, when banks were the only businesses required by law to close on certain days. Today the name has stuck, even though far more than banks close. Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, and Wales each have slightly different bank holidays — Scotland has 10 per year, while England and Wales have 8. This matters if you live in one part of the UK but do business in another.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank holidays close most UK banks, post offices, and government offices, so online transactions and phone banking may be your only option on those days.
  • England and Wales observe 8 bank holidays per year; Scotland observes 10; Northern Ireland observes 10, with some dates different from the rest of the UK.
  • Cheques deposited on or just before a bank holiday take longer to clear because the banking system does not process them on that day.
  • Payments you schedule to go out on a bank holiday usually process on the next working day instead, which can affect bills and standing orders.
  • Online banking, ATMs, and phone banking usually work on bank holidays, but you cannot visit a branch or speak to someone in person.

The bank holidays that close most UK services

England and Wales share the same 8 bank holidays each year. New Year's Day (1 January), Good Friday, Easter Monday, 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) all close banks and most businesses.

Scotland has 2 additional bank holidays: 2 January and 30 November (St Andrew's Day). Northern Ireland also has 10 bank holidays but replaces Easter Monday with the Battle of the Boyne (12 July) and adds 1 May. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, check your local council website or your bank's holiday calendar to see the exact dates that apply to you, because they differ from England and Wales.

When Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the UK government declares a substitute bank holiday on the following Monday or Tuesday. This means you may have a bank holiday on 27 or 28 December instead of the actual date. Your bank will tell you which day it observes as the holiday.

How bank holidays affect cheques and payments

If you deposit a cheque on a Friday and Monday is a bank holiday, that cheque does not enter the clearing system until Tuesday. The standard clearing time is three working days, so a cheque deposited on Tuesday would normally clear by Friday — but if a bank holiday falls in that window, add one day for each holiday. A cheque deposited the day before a bank holiday can take five or six days to clear instead of three.

Standing orders and direct debits scheduled to leave your account on a bank holiday usually process on the next working day instead. If you have a bill due on a bank holiday, the payment goes out the day after. This rarely causes problems, but if you are cutting it close on money, the extra day can matter. Check with your bank or the organisation collecting the payment if you are unsure.

Online transfers between UK bank accounts (Faster Payments) usually process on bank holidays, even though the banks themselves are closed. However, international transfers and some other payment types may be delayed. If you need money to move on a specific date and a bank holiday is involved, contact your bank beforehand to confirm how it handles that payment type.

What stays open and what closes on bank holidays

Most bank branches close completely on bank holidays. Post offices close too, which matters if you need to send money or collect a parcel. However, ATMs work 24 hours on bank holidays — you can withdraw cash and check your balance. Online banking, mobile apps, and telephone banking also work normally, so you can transfer money, pay bills, and check transactions from home.

Some supermarkets and shops stay open on bank holidays, though usually with shorter hours. Petrol stations, pharmacies, and restaurants often remain open. The rules vary by location and by business, so if you need a specific service on a bank holiday, phone ahead or check the business's website to confirm its hours.

Government offices, including tax offices and benefits offices, close on bank holidays. If you need to submit a tax return or contact HMRC, do it before the bank holiday or wait until the next working day. Courts are also closed, so if you have a court date scheduled for a bank holiday, it will be rescheduled.

Planning around bank holidays for refunds and payments

If you are waiting for a refund from a government agency, a business, or your bank, a bank holiday can add days to the timeline. A refund that would normally arrive in 5 working days might take 6 or 7 if a bank holiday falls in that period. When you request a refund, ask the organisation how it counts working days — some count calendar days and some count only business days.

Tax refunds from HMRC, insurance refunds, and business refunds all move through the banking system, so they are subject to bank holiday delays. If you are expecting money on a specific date and a bank holiday is coming up, assume the money may arrive a day or two later. Check your bank's payment calendar on its website to see which days are bank holidays in your region.

If you need to make a payment to avoid a penalty or fee, do not wait until the day before a bank holiday. Submit the payment at least two working days before, so that if something goes wrong, you have time to contact the organisation and fix it before the deadline.

How to find the exact bank holidays for your region

The UK government publishes a full list of bank holidays on GOV.UK, organised by country (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland). Your bank also publishes its holiday calendar, usually on its website under "Opening Hours" or "Contact Us". Some banks have slightly different schedules if they operate across multiple regions, so check your specific bank's calendar rather than assuming all banks close on the same days.

If you use a building society instead of a bank, it will have its own holiday schedule. Most follow the standard bank holidays, but some may close on additional days. Phone your building society or check its website to be certain.

Many employers and schools also publish their own holiday calendars that include bank holidays plus additional closures. If you work in the public sector, your workplace will close on all bank holidays. If you work in the private sector, your employer may give you bank holidays off or may require you to work and pay you extra, depending on your contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all UK banks close on the same bank holidays?

Most do, but not all. The standard bank holidays apply across the UK, but Scotland and Northern Ireland have different dates for some holidays. Additionally, some banks that operate internationally may have their own schedules. Check your specific bank's website or phone its customer service line to confirm which days it closes in your region.

Can I use my debit card or withdraw cash on a bank holiday?

Yes. ATMs work 24 hours on bank holidays, so you can withdraw cash and check your balance. Online banking, mobile apps, and phone banking also work normally. You just cannot visit a branch in person or speak to someone face-to-face at the bank.

How much longer does a cheque take to clear if a bank holiday is involved?

Cheques normally clear in three working days. Each bank holiday in that window adds one day to the timeline. A cheque deposited the day before a bank holiday can take five or six days to clear instead of three, because the clearing system does not process on the holiday itself.

Will my standing order or direct debit go out on a bank holiday?

No. Payments scheduled for a bank holiday usually process on the next working day instead. This rarely causes problems, but if you are managing money tightly, the extra day can matter. Contact your bank or the organisation collecting the payment if you need to know the exact date it will leave your account.

Do I get paid extra if I work on a bank holiday?

That depends on your employment contract. Public sector workers usually get the day off. Private sector workers may be required to work, and your contract should say whether you get paid extra, time off in lieu, or nothing additional. Check your contract or ask your employer.