Children to be able to use UK e-gates from age of eight to reduce border queues
Change open to UK and EU nationals as well as citizens from countries such as Australia, Canada and the US
E-gates scan biometric passports without the need to go through staffed border desks
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Children aged eight and nine will soon be able to use passport ‘e-gates’ when passing through the UK border, the UK Home Office has announced.
The move aims to reduce queues at staffed border desks, and will allow an estimated 1.5 million additional children to pass through automated e-gates per year. The current age for using an e-gate is 10.
The change will come in from July 8, 2026, provided the children:
Are accompanied by an adult
Are at least 3ft 11in (120cm) so they can be scanned by the cameras
Have a biometric passport from a country with current access to e-gates. This includes UK and EU nationals as well as citizens from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the US.
It will help families “experience a swifter and smoother journey home... this summer holiday season,” said UK Migration and Citizenship Minister Mike Tapp.
It is the latest change to UK border rules this year, following changes in February to the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).
As a reminder an ETA is required for non-UK/non-Irish citizens who do not already have a visa or right to live/travel in the UK. It costs £20 and lasts for two years. The February changes required dual nationals to enter the UK on their British or Irish passport.
Easier travel for UK families returning home
There are 290 e-gates in place across the UK’s major airports and in Brussels and Paris where UK border controls take place.
They allow citizens with a biometric passport from an eligible country to scan their document to enter the UK, as opposed to queuing at a staffed border desk.
By allowing more families to use the automatic e-gates, it will free up “highly skilled officers to focus on intercepting those who pose a threat to the UK,” said Border Force Director General Phil Douglas.
The changes amid warnings over increased wait times for UK families heading to Europe due to the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Registration for non-EU citizens, who do not hold an EU country residency card or visa, has led to prolonged queues upon arrival.
Checks on those leaving the EU - including on at least one piece of biometric information such as facial scan or fingerprint check - has led to further disruption, including lengthy queues and missed flights.
By allowing more families to use e-gates when they reach the UK, the aim is to lessen one layer of travel stress.
“It will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many," said Chief Executive of AirportsUK Karen Dee.
"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."
