The United Kingdom’s bank holiday calendar looks simple until you realize Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland each observe different holidays. The Working Time Regulations 1998 entitle UK workers to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave, but the specific bank holidays that count toward that entitlement vary by nation. An employer who assumes all four nations share the same calendar will make payroll mistakes.
This guide compares the 2026 bank holidays across all four UK nations so you can manage your workforce accurately.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organization.
Key Takeaways
- The UK has 8 bank holidays in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland, and 10 in Northern Ireland
- Scotland observes additional holidays like St. Andrew’s Day and substitute holidays
- Northern Ireland observes St. Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Somme
- Bank holidays are not automatically “extra” days off — they can be included in statutory annual leave
- Employers must apply the correct holidays for each nation
Bank Holidays by Nation
England and Wales: 8 Bank Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May | Monday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May | Monday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Saturday |
England and Wales share the same calendar. In 2026, Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, so a substitute bank holiday may apply on Monday 28 December.
Scotland: 9 Bank Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| 2 January | 2 January | Friday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May | Monday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May | Monday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August | Monday |
| St. Andrew’s Day | 30 November | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Saturday |
Scotland observes 2 January as a bank holiday, which England and Wales do not. Scotland also has St. Andrew’s Day (30 November). When Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, Scotland typically designates substitute holidays.
Northern Ireland: 10 Bank Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| St. Patrick’s Day | 17 March | Tuesday |
| Good Friday | 3 April | Friday |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | Monday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May | Monday |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May | Monday |
| Battle of the Somme | 1 July | Wednesday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day | 26 December | Saturday |
Northern Ireland has the most bank holidays of any UK nation. St. Patrick’s Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Somme (1 July) are unique to Northern Ireland.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Holiday | England | Wales | Scotland | N. Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2 January | — | — | ✓ | — |
| St. Patrick’s Day | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Good Friday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Easter Monday | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Early May Bank Holiday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spring Bank Holiday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Battle of the Somme | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Summer Bank Holiday | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| St. Andrew’s Day | — | — | ✓ | — |
| Christmas Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boxing Day | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
How Bank Holidays Affect Annual Leave
Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave (28 days for a full-time worker). Bank holidays can be counted toward this entitlement.
- England/Wales: Employer can include up to 8 bank holidays in the 28-day entitlement
- Scotland: Employer can include up to 9 bank holidays
- Northern Ireland: Employer can include up to 10 bank holidays
This means an employer in Northern Ireland has fewer “spare” annual leave days to allocate than one in England. An employer who offers “28 days plus bank holidays” in England offers a better deal than the same offer in Northern Ireland (where there are more bank holidays eating into that 28).
Substitute Bank Holidays
When Christmas Day or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, the UK nations handle substitutes differently:
| Year | Christmas | Boxing Day | England/Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | Saturday | Boxing Day observed Saturday; substitute Monday possible | Substitute holiday may apply |
The specific substitute day varies by nation and year. Check the official government announcements for each nation.
Employment Contracts
Your employment contract should specify:
- Which bank holidays the employee is entitled to — specify the nation
- Whether bank holidays are included in the annual leave entitlement or additional to it
- What happens when bank holidays fall on weekends — substitute day or lost day
- Whether employees can be required to work on bank holidays — and what compensation applies
A contract that says “20 days plus bank holidays” is ambiguous if you have employees across nations. Specify: “20 days plus the bank holidays of [nation].”
What This Means for Employers
Apply the Right National Calendar
An employee in Edinburgh is entitled to St. Andrew’s Day and 2 January. An employee in London is not. Map each employee to their nation’s bank holidays.
Be Careful with “Plus Bank Holidays” Offers
Offering “X days plus bank holidays” means different things in different nations. An employee in Northern Ireland gets 10 bank holidays; an employee in England gets 8. If you offer the same number of total days, the Northern Ireland employee gets fewer discretionary days.
Document Substitute Holiday Policies
When bank holidays fall on weekends, decide whether you’ll offer a substitute day. Document this in your employment contract and apply it consistently.
Track Bank Holidays for Payroll
Bank holidays that fall on working days must be paid. If an employee works on a bank holiday, check your contract for overtime or premium pay requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all four UK nations have the same bank holidays?
No. England and Wales share 8 bank holidays. Scotland has 9 (adding 2 January and St. Andrew’s Day). Northern Ireland has 10 (adding St. Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Somme).
Can an employer require work on a bank holiday?
Yes, if the employment contract allows it. There is no statutory right to bank holidays off, though most contracts include them. If required to work, check your contract for overtime or premium pay provisions.
How does the Working Time Regulations apply to bank holidays?
The WTR entitles workers to 5.6 weeks (28 days) of paid annual leave. Employers can include bank holidays within this entitlement. The number that can be included depends on the nation.
What if Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend?
Each nation may designate a substitute bank holiday. In England, this is typically the following Monday. In Scotland, the rules differ. Check official government guidance for the specific year.
Should my contract specify which nation’s holidays apply?
Yes. If you have employees across UK nations, your contract should specify which nation’s bank holidays apply to each employee. This prevents disputes and ensures compliance.