The Home Office has announced that children aged eight and nine are now eligible to use e-gates at UK airports, effective from July 8, 2026. The change, implemented just before the peak summer holiday season, is expected to benefit up to 1.5 million additional children, according to government estimates.
New Rules and Requirements
Previously, only passengers aged 10 and above could use the automated gates, forcing families with younger children to queue for manual passport checks. The e-gates use facial recognition technology to verify passengers' identities against their passport photos, offering a faster alternative. To use the gates, children must be at least 120cm tall so they can be seen by biometric scanners, and they must be accompanied by an adult.
The change applies not only to the 13 UK airports with e-gates but also to ports in Brussels and Paris, where juxtaposed controls are in place. Most schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland have already broken up for summer, while those in England and Wales will follow later this month.
Government and Official Statements
Border Security Minister 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."
Border Force Director-General Phil Douglas previously noted that increasing access to e-gates allows "highly skilled officers to focus on intercepting those who pose a threat to the UK." The UK currently operates nearly 300 e-gates.
Eligible Nationalities
UK e-gates are available to British citizens, as well as nationals from the European Union, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States. Members of the registered traveller service can also use them.
