More children eligible for UK eGates from July 2026, speeding up family travel
From 8 July 2026, children aged 8 and 9 who are at least 120cm tall and accompanied by an adult will be allowed to use UK eGates, potentially benefiting 1.5 million more children over the next year.
The UK government has announced that children aged 8 and 9 will become eligible to use eGates at border control points, starting 8 July 2026. The new rules require children to be at least 120cm tall and accompanied by an adult.
Based on 2025 arrival figures, an estimated 1.5 million additional children will be able to use eGates over the following year. The expanded access covers more than 290 eGates across the UK and juxtaposed ports in Europe.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, stated that travelling with young children can be stressful for parents, and the change will allow more families to enjoy a quicker and smoother journey home. Border Force Director General Phil Douglas emphasised that eGates are essential for border security and that expanding access frees up officers to focus on threats.
Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, welcomed the development, saying it will help families take advantage of the technology, speeding up border processes and reducing waiting times. Patricia Yates, chief executive of VisitBritain, noted that the move boosts the UK's tourism offer and encourages more visitors to book trips.
Using an eGate typically takes just minutes, and increased usage is expected to reduce queue times at passport control. The announcement is part of ongoing UK border transformation, which also includes the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. Nearly 24.8 million ETAs have been issued since its introduction in February.
