From Wednesday, July 8, 2026, a new travel rule has been introduced across 13 UK airports, allowing children aged eight and above to use eGates. Previously, only travellers aged 10 and over could use the electronic gates, while younger children had to queue at staffed desks. This change is projected to enable approximately 1.5 million additional children to pass through border control more swiftly.
Eligibility Requirements
Children must be at least eight years old and 120cm (3ft 11in) tall to use the eGates, ensuring they can be detected by biometric scanners. The rule applies to all 13 airports: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, and Newcastle.
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" that will "give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many."
Impact on Travellers
Travel Insurance Expert at Confused.com, Tom Vaughan, 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 noted that the change reflects a trend toward facial recognition technology, and the age threshold could be lowered further in future. Vaughan advised all families to ensure every member has a valid biometric passport, as confusion around passport validity remains common: less than half (43%) of holidaymakers know that passports for EU travel must be issued within 10 years of departure.
Broader Context
The eGates are part of the UK government's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, designed to streamline entry. Residents from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the US will also benefit from the change. The new rule is timed ahead of the summer holidays to reduce queues and improve the travel experience for families.
