UK Bank Holidays 2026: Dates by Nation and Employer Guide
By Kate Vodopian Quick answer: England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026. Scotland has 10 nationally listed bank holidays, including the one-off World Cup bank holiday on Monday 15 June 2026. Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays, including St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day.
Last reviewed: 20 May 2026.
UK bank holidays vary by nation. England and Wales usually follow the same bank holiday pattern, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have additional regional dates.
For employers, this matters because bank holidays can affect annual leave planning, staffing levels, payroll, staff schedules and public holiday policies. If your team works across more than one UK nation, a simple holiday tracker can help you apply the right dates by employee location.
UK Bank Holidays in 2026 — Quick Summary
| Nation | Number of bank holidays in 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | 8 | Standard UK bank holiday pattern |
| Scotland | 10 | Includes 2 January, St Andrew’s Day and World Cup bank holiday |
| Northern Ireland | 10 | Includes St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day |
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England and Wales Bank Holidays 2026
| Bank holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1 |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 3 |
| Easter Monday | Monday, April 6 |
| Early May bank holiday | Monday, May 4 |
| Spring bank holiday | Monday, May 25 |
| Summer bank holiday | Monday, August 31 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 |
| Boxing Day substitute day | Monday, December 28 |
Scotland Bank Holidays 2026
| Bank holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1 |
| 2 January | Friday, January 2 |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 3 |
| Early May bank holiday | Monday, May 4 |
| Spring bank holiday | Monday, May 25 |
| World Cup bank holiday | Monday, June 15 |
| Summer bank holiday | Monday, August 3 |
| St Andrew’s Day | Monday, November 30 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 |
| Boxing Day substitute day | Monday, December 28 |
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
| Bank holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday, January 1 |
| St Patrick’s Day | Tuesday, March 17 |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 3 |
| Easter Monday | Monday, April 6 |
| Early May bank holiday | Monday, May 4 |
| Spring bank holiday | Monday, May 25 |
| Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day substitute day | Monday, July 13 |
| Summer bank holiday | Monday, August 31 |
| Christmas Day | Friday, December 25 |
| Boxing Day substitute day | Monday, December 28 |
UK Bank Holidays in 2027
The article focuses mainly on 2026, but the 2027 dates are included below for forward planning. Open each section to see the full list.
England and Wales Bank Holidays 2027
| Bank holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Friday, January 1 |
| Good Friday | Friday, March 26 |
| Easter Monday | Monday, March 29 |
| Early May bank holiday | Monday, May 3 |
| Spring bank holiday | Monday, May 31 |
| Summer bank holiday | Monday, August 30 |
| Christmas Day substitute day | Monday, December 27 |
| Boxing Day substitute day | Tuesday, December 28 |
Scotland Bank Holidays 2027
| Bank holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Friday, January 1 |
| 2 January substitute day | Monday, January 4 |
| Good Friday | Friday, March 26 |
| Early May bank holiday | Monday, May 3 |
| Spring bank holiday | Monday, May 31 |
| Summer bank holiday | Monday, August 2 |
| St Andrew’s Day | Tuesday, November 30 |
| Christmas Day substitute day | Monday, December 27 |
| Boxing Day substitute day | Tuesday, December 28 |
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2027
| Bank holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Friday, January 1 |
| St Patrick’s Day | Wednesday, March 17 |
| Good Friday | Friday, March 26 |
| Easter Monday | Monday, March 29 |
| Early May bank holiday | Monday, May 3 |
| Spring bank holiday | Monday, May 31 |
| Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day | Monday, July 12 |
| Summer bank holiday | Monday, August 30 |
| Christmas Day substitute day | Monday, December 27 |
| Boxing Day substitute day | Tuesday, December 28 |
Are Employees Entitled to Bank Holidays Off?
Employees in the UK are not automatically entitled to take bank holidays off. Whether they can take bank holidays as paid leave depends on their employment contract and company policy.
GOV.UK explains that bank or public holidays do not have to be given as paid leave, and an employer can choose to include bank holidays as part of statutory annual leave.
For employers, the important thing is to make the policy clear in contracts, handbooks and onboarding documents.
How Bank Holidays Affect Part-Time Workers
Bank holidays can be more complicated for part-time employees, especially when many bank holidays fall on Mondays.
If bank holidays are included in holiday entitlement, employers should make sure part-time workers receive a fair pro-rata allowance and are not disadvantaged because of their working pattern.
| Situation | Employer consideration |
|---|---|
| A part-time employee works Mondays | They may use more of their holiday allowance on bank holidays if the business closes on those Mondays. |
| A part-time employee does not work Mondays | They should not normally have to use holiday allowance for bank holidays that fall on days they do not work. |
| Bank holidays are included in annual leave | The policy should be applied fairly across full-time, part-time and irregular working patterns. |
| Bank holidays are given in addition to annual leave | The contract or handbook should explain how this applies to part-time workers. |
A leave management system can help calculate entitlement fairly across full-time, part-time and irregular working patterns.
Can Employers Require Employees to Work on Bank Holidays?
Yes, if this is allowed by the employment contract or agreed working pattern. Employers should clearly explain their approach to bank holiday work in contracts, handbooks and onboarding documents.
| Question | Employer guidance |
|---|---|
| Can employees be required to work on bank holidays? | Yes, if the contract or agreed working pattern allows it. |
| Is enhanced pay legally required? | Not automatically. Enhanced pay depends on the contract, policy or agreement. |
| Can employers offer time off in lieu? | Yes, if this is part of the company policy or agreed with the employee. |
| Should the policy be written down? | Yes. Clear written rules help avoid confusion and disputes. |
Best Practices for Compensating Employees Working on Bank Holidays
| Option | How it works | Good practice |
|---|---|---|
| Normal pay | Employee works the bank holiday at their usual rate | Make sure this is clear in the contract or policy. |
| Enhanced pay | Employee receives a higher rate, such as time-and-a-half or double pay | Useful for hard-to-cover shifts, but not legally required unless agreed. |
| Time off in lieu (TOIL) | Employee works the bank holiday and takes time off later | Agree the rules in advance and record TOIL clearly. |
| Shift swaps | Employee swaps the bank holiday shift with another worker | Keep records so staffing cover stays fair and transparent. |
| Company closure | The business closes and employees use holiday entitlement | Give clear notice and explain whether the day is included in annual leave. |
Employer Checklist for UK Bank Holidays
Before finalising your bank holiday policy, check the following:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Are bank holidays included in statutory annual leave? | Employees need to know whether bank holidays come out of their normal allowance. |
| Are bank holidays given in addition to annual leave? | This affects the total paid time off employees receive. |
| How are part-time employees treated? | Part-time workers should receive a fair pro-rata entitlement. |
| How are substitute days handled? | Weekend bank holidays often move to a substitute weekday. |
| Do Scotland or Northern Ireland dates apply? | Employees in different UK nations may need different public holiday calendars. |
| Does the business close or stay open? | This affects staffing, customer support, payroll and rota planning. |
| Is TOIL or enhanced pay offered? | Any extra pay or time off should be clear and consistently applied. |
| Is the policy written down? | Contracts, handbooks and onboarding documents should explain the rules clearly. |
A simple holiday tracker helps you apply the right bank holidays by location and keep annual leave records clear.
For broader leave rules, approvals and reports, see our absence management software.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bank holidays are there in England and Wales in 2026?
England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026.
How many bank holidays are there in Scotland in 2026?
Scotland has 10 nationally listed bank holidays in 2026, including the one-off World Cup bank holiday on Monday 15 June 2026.
How many bank holidays are there in Northern Ireland in 2026?
Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays in 2026, including St Patrick’s Day and Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen’s Day.
Do employers have to give bank holidays as paid leave?
No, not automatically. GOV.UK says bank or public holidays do not have to be given as paid leave, although employers can include them as part of statutory annual leave.
Can bank holidays be included in annual leave entitlement?
Yes. Employers can include bank holidays within the statutory 5.6 weeks of paid holiday entitlement, as long as workers still receive their legal minimum entitlement.
What happens when a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
A substitute weekday normally becomes the bank holiday, usually the following Monday.
Do part-time employees get bank holidays?
Part-time workers are still entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday, but the number of days will depend on how many days they work. Employers should handle bank holidays fairly and clearly in the contract or policy.
How do UK bank holidays affect working days?
Bank holidays reduce the number of working days in a month for employees who usually work Monday to Friday. For a monthly breakdown, see our guide to working days in the UK in 2026.
Make UK Bank Holiday Planning Easier
TimeOff.Management helps small businesses manage UK bank holidays, annual leave, sick leave, staff schedules and leave approvals in one simple system.
You can assign bank holidays by employee location, track who is off, and keep leave balances accurate across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Start a 30-day free trial or see how TimeOff.Management works.
Further Reading
| Resource | Why it is useful |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK — UK bank holidays | Official bank holiday dates for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. |
| GOV.UK — Holiday entitlement | Official guidance on statutory annual leave and bank holidays. |
| Acas — Bank holidays and Christmas | Practical employer guidance on bank holidays, contracts, part-time workers and holiday entitlement. |
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