UK Public Holidays 2026/2027: Complete Guide for Expats

One of the first things every expat needs to know when settling in the UK is: when are the public holidays? In the UK, public holidays are called bank holidays — and they work slightly differently from what you may be used to in your home country. Most businesses, schools, and government offices close on these days, and public transport often runs on a reduced schedule. In this guide, we list all the official UK bank holidays for 2026 and 2027, explain how they work, and share everything you need to know as an expat.

What Is a Bank Holiday in the UK?

In the UK, public holidays are officially called bank holidays — a name that dates back to the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, when banks were first required to close on certain days. Today, bank holidays are national days off observed by most businesses, schools, and public services.

Key things to know:

• England and Wales typically have 8 bank holidays per year. Scotland has 9, and Northern Ireland has 10 — reflecting each nation's unique cultural and religious traditions
• Your employer does not have to give you paid leave on bank holidays — it depends on your employment contract. However, most full-time workers receive bank holidays as paid days off
• If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute day is given — usually the following Monday
• Public transport runs on reduced schedules on most bank holidays, and does not run at all on Christmas Day in most of the UK

UK Bank Holidays 2026 — England & Wales

UK Bank Holidays 2027 — England & Wales

Scotland Bank Holidays 2026

Scotland has its own bank holiday schedule with some differences from England and Wales:

Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026

Northern Ireland observes all England & Wales bank holidays plus two additional ones:

• 17 March 2026 — St Patrick's Day (Tuesday) — Northern Ireland's patron saint day
• 13 July 2026 — Battle of the Boyne (substitute for 12 July) — also known as "The Twelfth"

What's Open and Closed on Bank Holidays?

Are You Entitled to Bank Holidays Off Work?

This is one of the most common questions expats have — and the answer is: it depends on your contract.

• UK workers are entitled to a minimum of 28 days paid holiday per year (including bank holidays) for full-time workers
• Your employer can choose to include bank holidays within your 28 days, or give them on top
• If you work on a bank holiday, you may be entitled to a day off in lieu — check your contract
• Part-time workers receive a pro-rata amount of holiday entitlement

💡 Tip: Check your employment contract carefully — it should clearly state how bank holidays are handled. If you work in hospitality, retail, or healthcare, you may be required to work on bank holidays.

How to Maximise Your Time Off Using Bank Holidays

With careful planning, you can turn UK bank holidays into longer breaks by using annual leave strategically:

• Easter 2026: Take 3 April (Good Friday) and 6 April (Easter Monday) — both are bank holidays. Book the 7-9 April off work for a 10-day break using just 3 days of annual leave
• May 2026: Two bank holidays on 4 May and 25 May — book the days between for extended breaks
• Christmas 2026: With 25 and 28 December as bank holidays, book 29-31 December off for a 10-day Christmas break using just 3 days of annual leave

UK Bank Holidays vs Your Home Country

Expats often notice that the UK has fewer public holidays than many European countries:

• France: 11 public holidays per year
• Germany: 9-13 depending on the state
• Spain: 14 public holidays per year
• UK: 8 public holidays (England & Wales)

However, the UK's minimum 28 days annual leave entitlement (including bank holidays) is relatively generous compared to some countries — the key is understanding how your employer handles it.

Final Tips for Expats on UK Bank Holidays

• Plan ahead for Christmas — shops and transport are severely disrupted from 24-27 December. Stock up on essentials
• Book travel early — bank holiday weekends are the busiest travel periods of the year in the UK. Trains and flights sell out fast and prices surge
• Check your local area — some local councils have additional holidays or events that affect services
• Use the NHS 111 service if you need medical help on a bank holiday — your GP will be closed but 111 operates 24/7
• Check official dates at gov.uk/bank-holidays for the most up-to-date information