From Wednesday, 8 July 2026, children aged eight and over are permitted to use eGates at 13 UK airports, including Cardiff Airport. The change aims to provide a smoother journey home for families travelling abroad this summer.
New Age Threshold and Height Requirement
Previously, eGates were restricted to passengers aged 10 and above, forcing families with younger children to join the often slower family queue. The lowered age threshold is expected to allow approximately 1.5 million additional children to pass through electronic gates and other re-entry points more swiftly. However, children must also be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall to ensure proper detection by biometric scanners.
Official Reactions
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." She added: "It will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many. Airports work very hard with border authorities to ensure the UK's front door is both secure and welcoming, with those coming home and visiting enjoying a smooth experience."
Airports Included
The modification impacts 13 major UK airports: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, and Newcastle.
Broader Benefits and Expert Advice
The eGates are part of the government's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, scanning passports to streamline entry. Citizens from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the US will also benefit.
Tom Vaughan, Travel Insurance Expert at Confused.com, remarked: "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. Anyone who's queued at border control with tired kids will know it could mean shorter waits and a smoother end to the journey home." He also noted that confusion around passport validity remains common, with less than half (43%) of holidaymakers aware that passports for EU travel must be issued within 10 years of departure.
