May Day is the first Monday in May, and most UK businesses, banks, and government offices close for the day
In the UK, May Day falls on the first Monday of May each year. In 2024, that is May 6. In 2025, it will be May 5. Banks, post offices, courts, and most government services shut down on this day. If you need to handle financial transactions, collect a refund, or reach a government office, you will need to plan around this closure.
May Day is a bank holiday, which means it is a statutory day off for most workers. Employers are not required to pay extra for work on a bank holiday unless your employment contract says otherwise. The day itself is not a public holiday in the sense that schools and shops must close — many retail businesses stay open — but financial institutions and government bodies do.
If a refund or payment is scheduled to arrive on May Day, or if you need to contact a government department that day, the transaction will typically process on the next working day instead.
Key Takeaways
- May Day is always the first Monday in May, and banks, post offices, and government offices close on this day.
- If a refund or payment is due on May Day, it will usually arrive on the next working day instead.
- Most shops and businesses stay open on May Day, but you cannot access banking services or reach government departments.
- If you are waiting for a tax refund, insurance payout, or government payment, check the expected arrival date and plan accordingly if it falls near May Day.
Which services close on May Day
Banks close entirely on May Day. This means you cannot visit a branch, use in-branch services, or reach customer service by phone. Online banking usually remains available, but transfers and payments processed on the day itself will not clear until the next working day.
Post offices close on May Day. If you are waiting for a cheque or postal payment, it will not arrive on that day. Royal Mail does not deliver on bank holidays, so any refund sent by post will arrive the day after the holiday or later depending on the postmark date.
Government offices and departments close on May Day. This includes HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), local councils, and courts. If you need to contact these bodies about a tax refund, benefit payment, or other government matter, you will need to wait until the next working day.
Most shops, supermarkets, and retail businesses stay open on May Day, though some may have reduced hours. Petrol stations and pharmacies typically remain open as well.
How May Day affects refund and payment timelines
If a refund or payment is scheduled to clear on May Day, it will not arrive that day. Banks do not process payments on bank holidays, so the transaction will move to the next working day. This means if a refund was supposed to arrive on Monday, May 6, it will arrive on Tuesday, May 7 instead.
Tax refunds from HMRC are processed on working days only. If HMRC has approved your refund and it is due to arrive on May Day, the payment will be delayed by one day. You can check the status of a tax refund through your HMRC online account or by calling the tax refund helpline on a working day.
Insurance refunds and business refunds follow the same rule. If your insurer or a business has scheduled a refund for May Day, contact them before the holiday to confirm the new arrival date. Some companies will process the refund early to avoid the delay; others will simply push it to the next working day.
If you are waiting for a stimulus payment or other government payment, check the expected arrival date on the government website or your account. If it falls on May Day, add one working day to the timeline.
What to do if you need money before May Day
If a refund is due around May Day and you need the money before the holiday, contact the organisation holding the refund as soon as possible. For tax refunds, call HMRC on 0300 200 3300 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). For insurance refunds, contact your insurer directly and ask whether they can process the refund early or arrange a faster payment method.
If the refund is being sent by cheque, ask whether it can be sent by special delivery instead of standard post. Special delivery is faster and can sometimes be arranged to arrive before the bank holiday, though this depends on when the cheque is posted and the delivery address.
If you need cash urgently, consider whether you have other options: a credit card, an overdraft, or a short-term loan from a bank or credit union. These are not ideal, but they may bridge the gap if the refund delay creates a hardship.
May Day dates for the next five years
| Year | May Day Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Monday, May 6 |
| 2025 | Monday, May 5 |
| 2026 | Monday, May 4 |
| 2027 | Monday, May 3 |
| 2028 | Monday, May 1 |
May Day is always the first Monday in May. This means the date shifts each year. If you are planning a refund or payment around this time, check the exact date and add one working day to your timeline if the transaction falls on or just before the holiday.
Other UK bank holidays that affect refunds and payments
May Day is one of eight bank holidays in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Scotland has nine). The others are New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, the Spring Bank Holiday (late May), the Summer Bank Holiday (late August), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Each of these closes banks, post offices, and government offices in the same way.
If you are waiting for a refund or payment, check whether it falls near any bank holiday. A refund due on Easter Monday, for example, will not arrive until the next working day. The same applies to Christmas and Boxing Day, which create a longer delay because they fall close together.
Scotland observes different bank holidays. If you are in Scotland and waiting for a refund, check the Scottish bank holiday dates, as they differ from the rest of the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my bank transfer go through on May Day?
No. Banks do not process transfers on bank holidays. If you send a transfer on May Day, it will not clear until the next working day. If you need money to arrive by a specific date, send the transfer on the working day before May Day instead.
Can I withdraw money from an ATM on May Day?
Yes. ATMs operate 24/7 on bank holidays, so you can withdraw cash at any time. However, you cannot visit a bank branch or speak to a customer service representative on May Day.
Will my tax refund arrive on May Day if HMRC approved it?
No. Even if HMRC has approved your refund, the payment will not clear on May Day. It will arrive on the next working day. You can check the status of your refund through your HMRC online account.
What if I need to contact the DWP on May Day about a benefit payment?
The DWP is closed on May Day. Call them on the next working day. If your benefit payment is due on May Day, it will usually arrive on the next working day instead, though this depends on when the payment was scheduled.
Does Royal Mail deliver on May Day?
No. Royal Mail does not deliver on bank holidays, including May Day. If a refund is being sent by post, it will not arrive on that day. Standard delivery will arrive the day after the holiday or later depending on the postmark date.