Leave HackerGuidesPlan my yearHow many bank holidays are there in a year?
8 in England and Wales
In 2027 England and Wales have 8 bank holidays, Scotland has 9 and Northern Ireland 10. The number only changes when the government adds one for a national event, as it did for the Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and the coronation in 2023.
Bank holidays by year
| Year | England and Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 2023 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 2024 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 2025 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 2026 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| 2027 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 2028 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
2022: Platinum Jubilee bank holiday, Bank Holiday for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. 2023: Bank holiday for the coronation of King Charles III.
Why the nations differ
- England and Wales (8): New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the early May, spring and summer bank holidays, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- Scotland (9): adds 2 January and St Andrew's Day (30 November), has no Easter Monday, and has its summer bank holiday on the first Monday of August. More on Scotland.
- Northern Ireland (10): England and Wales's eight plus St Patrick's Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (12 July).
Wales has the same bank holidays as England: St David's Day isn't one. Why not.
What it means for your leave
If your contract gives “25 days plus bank holidays”, you're off 33 days in 2027 in England and Wales, before weekends. If it gives 28 days including bank holidays, 8 of them are spoken for. Do bank holidays count as annual leave?
Sources
- gov.uk: UK bank holidays
- mygov.scot: Public and bank holidays
- nidirect: Holiday entitlements (Northern Ireland)
Checked on 26 October 2026. This is general information about the legal minimum in the UK, not legal advice: your contract can give you more, and can set its own rules for notice and carrying over. For help with your own situation, call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 (England, Scotland and Wales) or the Labour Relations Agency on 03300 555 300 (Northern Ireland).
More questions
How many bank holidays are there in 2027?
8 in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland. All the 2027 dates.
How many bank holidays are there in 2028?
8 in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland. All the 2028 dates.
Which part of the UK has the most bank holidays?
Northern Ireland, with 10 a year.