UK Bank Holiday Dates for 2026

Planning ahead can make a big difference when you are running a business. Knowing the UK bank holidays for 2026 helps you prepare for staff leave, manage payroll and stay on top of important filing deadlines. To help you get organised, we’ve put together a clear list of all the confirmed dates for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, along with practical guidance to support your planning for the year.

Why Bank Holidays Matter for UK Businesses

Bank holidays may seem straightforward, but they can have a real impact on day-to-day operations. Banks close, payments may be delayed and staff availability often changes. If you work with customers or suppliers who rely on set working hours, bank holidays can influence turnaround times as well.

These dates are especially important when it comes to managing payroll, arranging team cover or preparing for key company deadlines. A little forward planning helps you avoid last-minute issues and keeps everything running smoothly.

UK Bank Holidays in 2026 Full List

Here are the confirmed bank holiday dates for 2026. These include the national holidays for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Note: When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is usually given instead.

England and Wales Bank Holidays 2026

Businesses in England and Wales can expect the standard set of national bank holidays. These follow the familiar yearly pattern and include Easter, the May bank holidays, the August summer break and the Christmas period.

These dates can be helpful when planning annual leave, managing busy periods or organising team cover.

Scotland Bank Holidays 2026

Scotland has a slightly different set of holidays, including 2nd January, an additional August Summer Bank Holiday and St Andrew’s Day.

*Some listings distinguish between a general summer bank holiday and one observed mainly by banks. Local arrangements may vary.

These variations are important for scheduling and planning, especially if you work with clients or employees across different parts of the UK.

Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026

Northern Ireland includes two additional dates: St Patrick’s Day in March and the Battle of the Boyne in July.

If your business operates across the UK, taking these regional differences into account can help avoid delays or scheduling issues.

How to Use These Dates to Plan Your Year

A clear view of the 2026 bank holidays gives you time to prepare for the year ahead. You might want to:

• Plan staff leave well in advance
• Set expectations for response times during busier periods
• Adjust payroll schedules for bank closures
• Prepare for delays in payments or banking services
• Make sure customers and suppliers are aware of any changes to your availability

For many teams, bank holidays can also be a natural moment to pause, review upcoming deadlines or schedule essential tasks.

Will Any More Bank Holidays Be Added in 2026?

Bank holidays in the UK occasionally change when major national events take place, such as royal occasions or significant anniversaries. At the moment, no additional bank holidays have been announced for 2026, but it’s always worth checking official government updates closer to the time.

Bank Holidays and Companies House Filing Deadlines

If one of your filing deadlines falls on a bank holiday, it will move to the next working day. This applies to annual accounts, confirmation statements and other key filings.
Although this offers some breathing room, it’s still best to plan ahead. Managing deadlines early helps avoid late filing penalties and keeps your company records up to date.

Useful Tips for Directors and Small Business Owners

Bank holidays offer a good opportunity to organise your year. You might consider:

• Updating your internal calendars
• Arranging holiday cover for core services
• Checking when payments or transfers may be delayed
• Reviewing your compliance deadlines for the months ahead

Simple steps like these can help keep your business running smoothly throughout the year.

Conclusion

Having the UK bank holidays for 2026 in one place makes it easier to plan ahead and stay organised. Whether you are preparing for payroll, managing staff leave or keeping an eye on vital filing deadlines, knowing these dates early can help your business stay on track.

If you are planning for the year ahead and want support with your company filings or administration, we’re here to help make things simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many UK bank holidays are there in 2026?

There are eight bank holidays in England and Wales in 2026, nine in Scotland and ten in Northern Ireland. Each part of the UK has its own set of dates, so the total varies depending on where your business is based. This difference is important if you work with teams or customers across multiple regions.

Do bank holidays in 2026 differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Yes, not all UK bank holidays are the same. Scotland has additional dates such as 2 January and St Andrew’s Day, while Northern Ireland includes St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne. England and Wales follow the standard eight dates. If you operate UK-wide, it’s helpful to check each region’s list so you can plan staffing and schedules properly.

What happens if a Companies House filing deadline falls on a bank holiday in 2026?

If your filing deadline lands on a weekend or bank holiday, it automatically moves to the next working day. This applies to confirmation statements, annual accounts and other statutory filings. Even with this extension, it’s still best to plan ahead so you’re not rushing close to the deadline.

How will UK bank holidays in 2026 affect payroll and payments?

Payroll and banking schedules may be delayed over bank holidays because banks close and payment processing pauses. If you run payroll, it’s a good idea to pay staff slightly earlier during holiday weeks. This also helps avoid delays with supplier payments or customer refunds.

Could more bank holidays be added to the 2026 calendar?

Extra bank holidays are rare but can be added for national events, such as royal occasions or major anniversaries. As of now, only the standard bank holidays are confirmed for 2026. It’s worth keeping an eye on government updates in case additional dates are announced.

Are businesses required to close on bank holidays?

No, there is no requirement for a business to close on a bank holiday. Many companies choose to operate with reduced hours or a smaller team, while others stay open as normal. Your approach depends on your industry, customer needs and staffing plans for the year.

Do employees automatically get bank holidays off in 2026?

Employees do not automatically receive bank holidays as time off. It depends on their employment contract. Some roles include bank holidays as part of annual leave, while others require working through them with time off in lieu. If you’re managing a team, it helps to confirm holiday entitlement early in the year.

How can businesses use the 2026 bank holiday dates to plan ahead?

The 2026 dates give you a clear view of when staffing, response times and payments may be affected. Many businesses use the list to arrange holiday cover, schedule quieter periods for admin tasks or avoid planning major deadlines close to holidays. Simple early planning helps keep operations running smoothly.

Why do some UK bank holidays have substitute days in 2026?

When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a substitute weekday is used instead. This ensures staff and businesses receive the same number of holiday days each year. For 2026, both Boxing Day and the Battle of the Boyne use substitute dates.

Where can I find the full list of UK bank holidays for 2026 by region?

You can find all confirmed bank holidays for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland listed at the top of this page. Each table includes the date, day and the name of the holiday so you can easily plan your year and prepare for any changes to your schedule.