The United Kingdom’s bank holiday system is unique because each of its four nations — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — sets its own bank holiday calendar. While there are 8 common holidays across the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland observe additional days that England and Wales do not.
For employers operating across UK nations, understanding these differences is essential for payroll compliance and employee scheduling.
This article is general information, not legal advice.
Key Takeaways
- The UK has 8 bank holidays common to all four nations
- Scotland observes 9 bank holidays (includes St. Andrew’s Day)
- Northern Ireland observes 10 bank holidays (includes St. Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Somme)
- When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday (or Tuesday) is a substitute
- Employment contracts should specify which nation’s bank holidays apply
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 | 28 December* | Monday |
*Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday in 2026, so the substitute day is 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 | 28 December* | Monday |
*Substitute day applies as Boxing Day falls on a Saturday.
Northern Ireland (10 Bank Holidays)
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Thursday |
| St. Patrick’s Day | 17 March | Wednesday |
| 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 Day | 1 July | Wednesday |
| Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August | Monday |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | Friday |
| Boxing Day | 28 December* | Monday |
*Substitute day applies as Boxing Day falls on a Saturday.
Substitution Day Rules
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the following Monday becomes a substitute bank holiday. If Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) both fall on a weekend:
- Christmas Day substitute: Monday 27 December
- Boxing Day substitute: Tuesday 28 December
In 2026, only Boxing Day requires substitution (Monday 28 December).
What “Bank Holiday” Means for Employers
There Is No Statutory Right to Time Off
Unlike some countries, there is no statutory right to paid time off on bank holidays in the UK. Entitlements depend on:
- Employment contract — most contracts include bank holidays as part of annual leave
- Annual leave policy — the Working Time Regulations require 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave (28 days for full-time workers), which can include bank holidays
- Custom and practice — if the employer has historically granted bank holidays, this may form part of the contractual terms
Common Approaches
| Approach | Description |
|---|---|
| Bank holidays included in 28 days | The 8 bank holidays count toward the 28-day entitlement |
| Bank holidays in addition to 28 days | Employees get 28 days + 8 bank holidays = 36 days total |
| Flexible approach | Employees choose which days to take, including bank holidays |
What If the Contract Is Silent?
If the employment contract doesn’t mention bank holidays:
- The employer is not legally required to grant them
- However, if the employer has consistently granted them, this may create a contractual obligation
- Employees are still entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave regardless
Multi-Nation Employers
Contract Specification
Your employment contract should specify:
- Which nation’s bank holidays apply
- How many bank holidays are included in the annual leave entitlement
- What happens when a bank holiday falls on a weekend
Example Clause
“This contract entitles you to [number] bank holidays per year, as observed in [England/Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland]. Bank holidays are included in your annual leave entitlement of [X] days.”
Practical Considerations
- An employee based in Scotland who works for an England-based employer should receive Scottish bank holidays if they work in Scotland
- Remote workers should follow the bank holidays of their work location, not the employer’s registered office
- Some employers grant “all UK bank holidays” as a benefit to avoid complexity
Bank Holidays During Annual Leave
If a bank holiday falls during an employee’s annual leave, the employee does not use a day of annual leave for the bank holiday. The bank holiday is an additional day — the employee’s annual leave is extended by one day.
Example: If an employee takes the week of 25-29 May (Spring Bank Holiday week), the Monday 25 May is a bank holiday, so the employee only uses 4 days of annual leave for that week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bank holidays part of the 28-day annual leave entitlement?
They can be. The Working Time Regulations require 5.6 weeks (28 days for full-time workers) of paid annual leave. Employers can include bank holidays as part of this entitlement, or grant them separately.
Can an employer require employees to work on a bank holiday?
Yes, if the employment contract permits it. The contract should specify which bank holidays are included and whether the employer can require work on those days.
Do part-time employees get bank holidays?
Part-time employees are entitled to 5.6 times their weekly hours in annual leave. If bank holidays are part of the entitlement, part-timers get a proportional number.
What about bank holidays in Scotland vs England?
If your contract specifies English bank holidays and your employee works in Scotland, they may be entitled to Scottish bank holidays instead. Specify the applicable nation in the contract.
Can an employer give fewer than 8 bank holidays?
Yes, if the contract provides for fewer. However, the employee must still receive at least 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave in total.