UK lowers eGate age to eight, easing family travel

The United Kingdom has lowered the age threshold for using automated passport control gates, a change officials say will streamline border processing for families during the peak summer travel period. Effective Wednesday, July 8, children aged eight and nine are now eligible to use eGates at 13 major UK airports, provided they are at least 120 centimeters tall and accompanied by an adult. Previously, only passengers aged ten and over could use the biometric scanners, forcing families with younger children into manual inspection queues.

The Home Office announced the policy shift, estimating it will allow up to 1.5 million additional children to pass through border control more quickly. The change coincides with the start of summer holidays for many schools, with most in Scotland and Northern Ireland already on break and those in England and Wales to follow later in July. In addition to UK airports, the new rule applies at juxtaposed border controls in Brussels and Paris, where UK entry checks are conducted for certain rail and ferry services.

Border Security Minister Alex Norris said the update will make journeys easier for families and reduce the hassle of returning from...