If you’re scheduling your time off this year and want to make the most of your breaks and long weekends of time, a good idea is to be aware of the UK bank holidays 2025, whether you’re organizing a family getaway or just aiming not to overlook any dates in your calendar.
The holidays can vary in different regions in the UK, including England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. In this blog, you will get all the details about the upcoming holidays, so you can plan your year ahead.
What are UK bank holidays?
In the UK, bank holidays are the holidays on which banks and many other businesses are closed, and the people get the day off work. Another thing to keep in mind is that most bank holidays fall on a Monday or a Friday, so it makes a great opportunity for you if you are planning for something on the weekend.
How many UK bank holidays are there in 2025?
In 2025, in the UK, the total number of bank holidays varies by region.
- England and Wales: 8
- Scotland: 9
- Northern Ireland: 10
So far, with New Year’s Day checked off the list, there are still more bank holidays to enjoy in 2025. In the milder spring and summer months, we enjoy multiple bank holidays, plenty of time to relax in the sun!
UK Bank Holidays 2025: England & Wales
| Date | Day of the Week | Bank Holiday |
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 21 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 25 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day |
UK Bank Holidays 2025: Scotland
| Date | Day of the Week | Bank Holiday |
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 January | Thursday | 2nd January |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 4 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 1 December | Monday | St Andrew’s Day (Substitute) |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day |
UK Bank Holidays 2025: Northern Ireland
| Date | Day of the Week | Bank Holiday |
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 March | Monday | St Patrick’s Day (Substitute) |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 21 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 12 July | Saturday | Orangemen’s Day |
| 25 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day |
What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend in 2025?
If a bank holiday happens to fall on a weekend, the following Monday (aka the next working day) is designated as a bank holiday instead. Don’t worry, there is provision to ensure bank holidays benefit employees by allowing a day off from work. However, no bank holidays in 2025 fall on the weekend!
How do bank holidays affect holiday provision?
In the UK, every full-time employee has a right to at least 28 days of paid annual leave. This total can include the bank holidays, which amount to eight in the year 2025. Therefore, besides these bank holidays, employees are left with 20 more days of paid leave to utilize throughout the year. It’s important to note that this is just the minimum requirement; employers have the discretion to offer more. In fact, some companies provide the benefit of unlimited paid holidays to their employees.
Employers also have the option of not counting the bank holidays within this 28-day minimum entitlement. In such cases, employees would enjoy 28 days of leave in addition to the eight bank holidays in 2025. For a deeper understanding of your holiday rights, especially regarding bank holidays, be sure to explore our detailed blog on this topic.
Are bank holidays different in Scotland to the rest of the UK?
The answer is yes. Whilst most days are the same, the Scottish bank holidays for 2025 vary a bit from those in England and Wales. Bank holidays also vary from those in Northern Ireland. The full list of Scottish bank holidays in 2o25 can be found here.
Why Should You Maximize Your 2025 Bank Holidays?
If you want to take full advantage of your annual leaves, then it is important to plan bank holidays wisely. Here are some tips that you can use to stretch your vacation time:
- Enjoy longer breaks: Taking strategic leave allows for extended vacations.
- Boost Productivity : Time off from work helps recharge energy and improve focus.
- Spend Quality Time with Family & Friends : Bank holidays provide an excellent opportunity to connect with loved ones.
How do you keep on top of time off for UK bank holidays in 2025?
Modern payroll software simplifies the management of team leave, including bank holidays. Efficiently tracking statutory leave is essential for a smooth payroll process. For insights on selecting the best payroll software for your business, our comprehensive article, ‘How to Choose the Right Payroll Software for Your Business,’ is a must-read.
Zelt streamlines this process further. With just a click, you can request, approve, and monitor various types of leave, be it holidays, sick days, work-from-home days, parental leave, or unpaid leave. The convenience extends to managers too, who can approve requests through Slack or a mobile app, even when they’re on the move.
Gone are the days of waiting for a holiday approver to return from their vacation. With Zelt, managing time off and much more is all consolidated in one user-friendly platform.
Conclusion
It is important to know about the upcoming bank holidays in order to make the most of your vacation. With good planning, you can make the most of these vacations, whether you want to take your family with you or just need an extra day to relax. UK bank holidays in 2025 are implemented regionally, i.e., in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In the modern world, innovative HR platforms like Zelt provide useful leave tracking and payroll management tools to be able to document everything you do and make it easier for employees and employers to manage time off
FAQs
What is the difference between bank holidays and public holidays?
Bank holidays are the official days when banks and many other businesses are closed, while public holidays include bank holidays and also cover regional or cultural holidays.
Does working on a bank holiday mean I get extra pay?
Not always. UK law doesn’t guarantee extra pay for working on bank holidays, but some employers offer additional compensation or time off in lieu
Are UK bank holidays the same across all regions?
No, bank holidays vary by region. For instance, Scotland has unique holidays like St Andrew’s Day, while Northern Ireland observes St Patrick’s Day.
When are the May bank holidays in 2025?
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 5th May 2025
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 26th May 2025
Is New Year’s Day 2025 a bank holiday?
Yes, 1st January 2025 is a bank holiday across the UK.
Can my employer require me to work on a bank holiday?
Yes, unless your contract states otherwise. Some businesses stay open, and employees may be required to work, sometimes with enhanced pay or alternative time off.