Working days 2025
In 2025 United Kingdom has a total of 254 working days.
How many working days are there in 2025?
Working days
254
Public holidays
7
7 on weekdays
Other weekday holidays
0
Most: July (23 days) – Least: February (20 days)
Monthly breakdown
January
- Working days:22
- Public holidays:1
- Other weekday holidays:0
Holidays impacting working days
- 01. New Year's Day (WED)
February
- Working days:20
- Public holidays:0
- Other weekday holidays:0
March
- Working days:21
- Public holidays:0
- Other weekday holidays:0
April
- Working days:20
- Public holidays:2
- Other weekday holidays:0
Holidays impacting working days
- 18. Good Friday (FRI)
- 21. Easter Monday (MON)
May
- Working days:20
- Public holidays:2
- Other weekday holidays:0
Holidays impacting working days
- 05. Early May bank holiday (MON)
- 26. Spring bank holiday (MON)
June
- Working days:21
- Public holidays:0
- Other weekday holidays:0
July
- Working days:23
- Public holidays:0
- Other weekday holidays:0
August
- Working days:21
- Public holidays:0
- Other weekday holidays:0
September
- Working days:22
- Public holidays:0
- Other weekday holidays:0
October
- Working days:23
- Public holidays:0
- Other weekday holidays:0
November
- Working days:20
- Public holidays:0
- Other weekday holidays:0
December
- Working days:21
- Public holidays:2
- Other weekday holidays:0
Holidays impacting working days
- 25. Christmas Day (THU)
- 26. Boxing Day (FRI)
Other countries
In the United Kingdom, public holidays are officially known as bank holidays, governed by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. England and Wales have 8 bank holidays per year, though Scotland and Northern Ireland observe a different set. HR and payroll teams must account for regional differences when managing leave entitlements across a UK-wide workforce.
Frequently asked questions
How many bank holidays do employees in England and Wales get in 2026?
Employees in England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026. These include New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Early May bank holiday, the Spring bank holiday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and a substitute bank holiday on 28 December. Note that Scotland and Northern Ireland observe a different set of bank holidays.
Why is there a substitute bank holiday on 28 December 2026?
In 2026, Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday, which means it cannot be observed as a working-day holiday. A substitute bank holiday is therefore given on Monday 28 December, ensuring employees still receive their full entitlement of 8 bank holidays.
Are employees legally entitled to take bank holidays off work in the UK?
There is no automatic statutory right to take bank holidays off; it depends on what is written into the employment contract. Many contracts grant bank holidays on top of annual leave, but some employers include them within the statutory 5.6 weeks' minimum holiday entitlement. HR teams should ensure employment contracts clearly state how bank holidays are treated.
How should payroll handle bank holidays for part-time employees in the UK?
Part-time employees are entitled to a pro-rata equivalent of bank holiday leave, so they should not be disadvantaged compared to full-time staff. If a part-time employee does not normally work on the day a bank holiday falls, their employer should offer an alternative day off in lieu. Payroll teams should calculate pro-rata bank holiday entitlement based on the individual's contracted working pattern.
Do the UK's bank holidays apply equally across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland?
No — the three jurisdictions observe different sets of bank holidays. Scotland receives additional days such as 2 January and St Andrew's Day, while Northern Ireland observes St Patrick's Day and the Battle of the Boyne. Employers with staff across multiple UK regions must apply the correct set of bank holidays for each location.