UK airports are set to implement a significant rule change this summer that will make travelling with children much easier. The Home Office has confirmed that from 8 July, children aged eight and above will be permitted to use the e-gates at airports, reducing the minimum age from 12. This adjustment comes just in time for the summer holidays, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Impact on families
By lowering the age threshold, an estimated 1.5 million additional children will be able to use the e-gates, providing families with a smoother and quicker journey back into the UK. To use the e-gates, children must be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall to easily view the biometric screens and must be accompanied by an adult. Currently, only families with children aged 10 or older can use the e-gates; those with younger children must queue in the family lane, which often takes longer.
Minister's statement
Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp stated that the change will allow families to 'experience a swifter and smoother journey home... this summer holiday season'. The e-gates are part of the government's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which scans passports to speed up entry. The change will affect 13 UK airports where e-gates are installed, including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, and Newcastle.
Broader benefits
Residents from several countries, including Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the US, will also benefit from this change. Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, called the move a 'welcome development', adding that it will give more families the ability to use this technology, speeding up border processes and reducing waiting times.
EU Entry/Exit System
Separately, the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully launched across airports on 10 April 2026. This system requires British travellers to the Schengen area to create a digital record and submit biometric details, including fingerprints and a photograph, upon first arrival. The registration remains valid for three years. Greece, although part of the Schengen area, has opted out of the EES requirement for Brits. The full list of Schengen countries includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
