If you want to learn more about which NHS bank holidays you’re entitled to, keep reading! It’s important to stay informed so you can plan your time off accordingly.
Want to get clear on NHS bank holiday pay and what you’re entitled to? While it’s now 2025, understanding how NHS Bank Holidays 2024 and NHS Public Holidays 2024 worked can still be helpful—especially when planning ahead or checking past entitlements.
Whether you worked over the holidays or were off enjoying the break, this guide covers everything from NHS Christmas pay, Christmas Day pay NHS, and NHS pay for Christmas Day, to how bank holiday pay NHS applies and whether Boxing Day is double pay.
We’ve also included a breakdown of NHS Scotland’s public holidays in 2024 and key takeaways to help you prepare for 2025’s upcoming holidays. Let’s dive in and make sure you’re fully in the know!
What are the bank holidays for 2025?
Here is a list of all the bank holidays for the rest of 2025:
England and Wales:
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday, 1 January
- Good Friday: Friday, 18 April
- Easter Monday: Monday, 21 April
- Early May Bank Holiday (May Day): Monday, 5 May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 26 May
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 August
- Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December
- Boxing Day: Friday, 26 December
Scotland:
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday, 1 January
- 2nd January: Thursday, 2 January
- Good Friday: Friday, 18 April
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 5 May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 26 May
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 August
- St. Andrew’s Day (substitute day): Monday, 1 December
- Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December
- Boxing Day: Friday, 26 December
Note: St. Andrew’s Day falls on Sunday, 30 November 2025; therefore, the substitute bank holiday is observed on Monday, 1 December.
Northern Ireland:
- New Year’s Day: Wednesday, 1 January
- St. Patrick’s Day: Monday, 17 March
- Good Friday: Friday, 18 April
- Easter Monday: Monday, 21 April
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday, 5 May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday, 26 May
- Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day): Monday, 14 July
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday, 25 August
- Christmas Day: Thursday, 25 December
- Boxing Day: Friday, 26 December
Note: The Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) is traditionally observed on 12 July; however, in 2025, it falls on a Saturday, so the substitute bank holiday is on Monday, 14 July.
Do NHS staff get double pay on bank holidays?
During national holidays, healthcare staff work diligently to provide life-saving care to patients who need it, while most of us prefer to spend the day with loved ones.
NHS staff are usually entitled to overtime pay at a rate of time and a half. However, if you work on a general public holiday, you can expect to receive double-time pay. In addition to this, full-time staff may also be given a substitute day off or lieu hours for working on a bank holiday.
Are NHS bank staff paid for holidays?
The NHS relies heavily on the help and assistance of NHS bank staff. This helps them continue providing the healthcare service hundreds of patients require daily. NHS bank staff are also entitled to paid holidays, and holiday allowance will start from the first shift a member of NHS bank staff works.
How many bank holidays do NHS staff get?
As a full-time member of NHS staff, your annual leave entitlement includes eight bank holidays off in a single leave year. This amount will change if you are part-time or if you have been with the NHS for five years or more.
However, it isn’t uncommon for staff to work on NHS bank holidays because of the needs of the service and their patients. Therefore, while you may be entitled to 8 bank holidays off, you may be expected to work other bank holidays so others get a break.
When Are The Bank Holidays 2025?
Here is a list of all the 2025 bank holidays:
January 1st, 2025 – New Year’s Day
April 18th 2025 – Good Friday
April 21st 2025 – Easter Monday
May 5th 2025 – Early May Bank Holiday
May 26th 2025 – Spring Bank Holiday
August 25th 2025 – Summer Bank Holiday
December 25th 2025 – Christmas Day Bank Holiday
December 26th 2025 – Boxing Day
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