UK airport rule change for families starts in weeks. Millions of children can now use eGates

Families travelling through UK airports this summer will soon be able to use eGates with younger children after the government confirmed a major rule change hoping to reduce long queues during peak holiday travel.

From July 8, children aged 8 and 9 will be allowed to use UK airport eGates when travelling with an adult, lowering the current minimum age from 10. The change will apply across major UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Stansted, Birmingham and Edinburgh, as well as UK border controls in Paris and Brussels.

The government says the move could allow around 1.5 million more children each year to pass through automated passport gates, helping families clear border control more quickly during busy holiday periods.

What has changed at UK airport eGates

The change is part of bigger efforts to ease border controls and reduce congestion at airports during peak summer travel.

Under the new rules –

• Children aged 8 and 9 can use eGates.

• They must be travelling with an eligible adult.

• Children must be at least 120cm tall so facial recognition cameras can work properly.

Until now, only travellers aged 10 and above could normally use the automated gates.

UK eGates use facial recognition technology to compare the traveller’s face with the biometric photo stored inside their passport chip. Border Force officers remain nearby and can intervene if a scan fails or extra checks are needed.

Why the government is lowering the age limit

Heathrow and Gatwick where younger passengers successfully had trials previously making the decision to branch out further.

Officials say expanding eligibility will help Border Force officers focus on higher-risk checks instead of routine passport processing.

Migration minister Mike Tapp said the change would allow “more families to experience a swifter and smoother journey home this summer holiday season.”

Airport operators have also backed the move as passenger numbers continue to rise after years of disruption caused by the pandemic and post-Brexit travel changes.

What this means for families travelling from Spain

The rule change will mainly affect British families returning to the UK from destinations including Malaga, Alicante, Palma and Tenerife, where long queues at UK passport control are common during school holidays.

Many families travelling between Malaga Airport and the UK have previously needed to split up at border control because younger children could not use eGates.

What parents should do before travelling

Families planning to use eGates this summer should –

• Check every child has a valid biometric passport.

• Make sure children meet the 120cm minimum height requirement.

• Keep passports open and ready before reaching the gate.

• Prepare children to look directly at the camera during the scan.

• Follow instructions from Border Force staff if the gate does not open.

Common questions about the new eGate rules

Does this apply at every UK airport?

The rule will cover airports using UK Border Force eGates, including major international airports across England and Scotland.

Can children use eGates alone?

No. Children aged 8 and 9 must travel with an eligible adult.

What happens if the gate rejects a passport?

Border Force officers nearby can carry out manual checks and direct passengers to staffed desks if necessary.

What happens next

The government says the rollout will begin before the main summer holiday rush in July. Airports are expected to update signage and passenger guidance over the coming weeks as the new rules come into force.

Great news for going between Spain and the UK this summer, the change could make one of the most stressful parts of families travelling together noticeably faster.