From Wednesday, 8 July 2026, children aged eight and over are permitted to use eGates at 13 UK airports, a change expected to benefit up to 1.5 million additional children during the summer holidays. Previously, the age threshold was 10, forcing families with younger children to join slower family queues.
Affected Airports and Eligibility
The new rule applies at Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, and Newcastle airports. Children must be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall to ensure biometric scanners can detect them properly.
Government and Industry Reaction
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: "Today’s change will make journeys easier for families with small children and reduce the hassle of travelling home after a holiday. It will also free up more time for tourists to enjoy our fantastic country this summer and in the years ahead."
Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, described it as a "welcome development," adding: "It will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many."
Broader Impact and Advice
The eGates are part of the government's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. Residents from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the US will also benefit from the change.
Tom Vaughan, Travel Insurance Expert at Confused.com, commented: "The minimum age for UK airport e-gates drops from ten to eight today, meaning up to 1.5 million more children could clear the border automatically instead of queuing at a staffed desk. This is great news for families travelling with young children." He also warned that less than half (43%) of holidaymakers are aware that passports for EU travel must be issued within 10 years of departure, urging families to check passport validity before travelling.
