Banking Abroad: Why "Open on Weekdays" Doesn't Mean the Same Thing Everywhere

Notes from the Carry-On, by Owen Achterberg

On a work trip a few years ago, I planned to stop by a bank on a Friday morning to sort out a wire. I'd done the same errand at home many times. The branch was closed, and so was every other bank on the street. It wasn't a holiday. In that country, Friday was the weekend.

Since then I've treated "when are banks open?" as a question to look up in every new place, not something to assume. Here's what I've learned about how banking days differ around the world, and a simple routine for checking before you go.

The working week isn't universal

Most of Europe, the Americas and much of Asia run a Monday-to-Friday working week, and banks follow it. Some branches also open on Saturday mornings. But that isn't the only pattern:

• Saudi Arabia has a Friday-Saturday weekend, so banks work Sunday through Thursday.
• The United Arab Emirates moved its official weekend from Friday-Saturday to Saturday-Sunday at the start of 2022. Federal government offices also work a shortened Friday.
• Israel has a Friday-Saturday weekend. Banks typically open Sunday through Thursday, with shorter or no Friday hours depending on the bank.

If you're used to one pattern, it's easy to arrive on the wrong day. It matters for in-person visits, and also for transfers, which generally settle only on that country's business days.

Public holidays are local, and sometimes lunar

Every country has its own public holidays, and banks almost always close on them. Some are fixed dates, like national days. Others move each year. Easter-based holidays move within a window of several weeks, and holidays tied to the lunar Islamic calendar, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, come about eleven days earlier each Gregorian year. In many countries the exact Eid dates are confirmed only shortly beforehand, based on moon sighting, so the bank closure dates can't be fixed far in advance.

Holidays can also be regional. Germany, Switzerland and Spain all have public holidays that apply in some states, cantons or regions but not others. In the United States, banks follow the Federal Reserve's holiday schedule, which includes days like Columbus Day and Veterans Day when many shops stay open.

Branch hours vary more than you'd think

Even on a normal business day, hours differ a lot from country to country. Some places keep long weekday hours. Others close for a midday break or close early on certain weekdays. In tourist areas or large malls, some branches keep longer or weekend hours, while small-town branches may open only a few days a week.

The safest source for a specific branch is always the bank's own website or app. When you're comparing countries or just need a quick yes-or-no, a general reference saves time.

My pre-trip banking routine

Before any trip where I might need a bank, and not just an ATM, I do three things:

1. Check the country's working week and upcoming holidays. I use a quick open-or-closed check for your bank to see whether banks are open on a given day in the country I'm visiting, and what typical opening hours look like. It takes a minute and catches the weekend and holiday surprises.
2. Look up the specific branch. If the errand matters, like a wire or document signing, I confirm the branch's hours directly and book an appointment where that's possible.
3. Move money before I travel. Transfers between countries can take several business days. Weekends and holidays on either end, at home or abroad, can add to that. I'd rather send money early than wait through a long weekend.

What you can do without a branch

For most travelers, the bank branch is a backup, not the plan. Card payments and ATMs work every day, including holidays, though fees vary. Before you leave, tell your bank you're travelling if it asks for that, and check foreign transaction and ATM fees. Carry a backup card from a different bank in case one gets blocked.

Mobile banking also covers most account management. What usually still needs a branch: large cash withdrawals, some document verification, safe deposit boxes, and occasionally opening a local account if you're staying longer.

Bottom line

"Banks are open on weekdays" is a local assumption, not a global one. The working week, public holidays and branch hours all change at the border. A minute of checking before you set out costs almost nothing and spares you a closed door in an unfamiliar city.