UK Bank Holidays 2025: How Many Are There and What You Need to Know

Hello everyone, I’m your dedicated public holiday assistant, the Holiday Little Assistant. Recently, a little friend asked me about how many bank holidays there are in the UK. I get this question a lot, so I’m gonna break it all down for you right now—no fluff, just the facts you need to plan your days off and make the most of those precious long weekends.

First off, the number of bank holidays in the UK isn’t a simple single number—it actually varies depending on where you live because different parts of the UK have their own special holidays. For England and Wales, you typically get 8 bank holidays per year. Scotland gets 9 (they have St. Andrew’s Day as an extra one on November 30), and Northern Ireland gets a total of 10 bank holidays (thanks to St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 and the Battle of the Boyne on July 12). So if you’re asking “how many bank holidays in the UK” as a whole, it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer.

The standard set of bank holidays across most of the UK includes New Year’s Day (January 1), Good Friday (Friday before Easter), Easter Monday (the day after Easter Sunday), Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May), Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May), Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August for England/Wales, first Monday in August for Scotland), Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 26). But wait—there’s more. In Scotland, you also get January 2 (New Year’s second day) as a bank holiday, plus St. Andrew’s Day. In Northern Ireland, add St. Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne celebration.

One thing people often mess up: bank holidays are different from public holidays. Bank holidays are official days when banks and most businesses close, but not all public holidays are bank holidays—for example, Remembrance Day (November 11) is a public holiday in Canada but not a bank holiday in the UK. Also, some years the government adds extra one-off bank holidays for special events, like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. So keep an eye on the official UK government website for updates each year.

Now, if you’re planning a trip or just want to maximize your time off, know that many workers in the UK also get “statutory leave” of 5.6 weeks per year (including bank holidays), but that’s a different topic. For pure bank holiday count, stick with the numbers above—just remember to check your region. And watch out for “substitute” bank holidays: if Christmas or Boxing Day falls on a weekend, you usually get the next weekday off instead.

Questions related to how many bank holidays in the UK

Q: Do all UK regions have the same number of bank holidays?
A: Nope. England and Wales have 8, Scotland has 9, Northern Ireland has 10. Always check your local listing because some local councils also have “local bank holidays” that aren’t nationwide—like the Battle of the Boyne in Northern Ireland.

Q: Are bank holidays paid time off for workers?
A: It depends on your employment contract. Part-time workers get a pro-rata share, and full-timers usually get bank holidays as part of their statutory holiday allowance. But not all workers are entitled to take them off with pay—retail and hospitality often work on bank holidays and get extra pay or time off in lieu.

Q: What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?
A: Great question. Usually a “substitute” bank holiday is declared on the following Monday (or sometimes Friday). For example, if Christmas Day is a Saturday, you get the following Monday off. So the actual number of days off in a given year can be 8–10 depending on the calendar.

Q: Are there any bank holidays unique to Scotland?
A: Yes—St. Andrew’s Day (November 30) and sometimes January 2. Also, Scotland’s Summer Bank Holiday is on the first Monday of August instead of the last Monday.

Q: Why does Northern Ireland get more bank holidays?
A: Historical and cultural reasons. St. Patrick’s Day is a huge celebration, and the Battle of the Boyne (July 12) commemorates a key event in Protestant history. So they get 10 total bank holidays—two more than England.

To sum it all up: the UK has between 8 and 10 bank holidays each year, depending on where you live. England and Wales get 8, Scotland gets 9, and Northern Ireland gets 10. These are official days when banks and most offices close, but don’t forget that schools and some businesses might have their own holiday schedules. Always double-check the official UK government bank holiday list for the exact year to avoid surprises.

public holiday calendar.COM Thank you for reading, I hope this article can help you fully understand how many bank holidays in the UK. If you have more questions, feel free to contact us or leave a comment below. And remember—plan ahead, take full advantage of those days off, and enjoy your time with family and friends!