UK ETA for Families & Children 2026: Complete Parent’s Guide
Yes — every family member needs their own UK ETA, including babies and toddlers. There are no age exemptions and no family applications. A parent or guardian can apply on behalf of children. Each person pays the £20 government fee separately. One important warning: children who are British citizens by descent cannot apply for an ETA — they must travel on a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement.
Planning a family trip to the UK in 2026 requires more preparation than it used to. Since 25 February 2026, carriers are legally required to verify that every passenger — every single one — has valid permission to travel before boarding. For families from visa-exempt countries, that means one UK ETA per person, applied for individually, linked to each individual passport.
The good news is that the application process for children is fast and straightforward. A parent or guardian completes the form on behalf of each child — it takes approximately 10 minutes per application and approval usually arrives within minutes. The bad news is that several important edge cases catch family travellers off guard every week.
This guide covers everything: the step-by-step application process for children, the family cost breakdown, the all-important consent letter for solo-parent travel, what to expect at the UK border, and — critically — the ‘British by descent’ trap that is currently causing significant disruption for families who did not know it existed.
- The Core Rule: Every Traveller, Every Age — Their Own ETA
- How Much Does It Cost?
- Family Cost Calculator: How Much for Your Group?
- How to Apply for a Child’s UK ETA: Step-by-Step
- Children’s Passport Requirements for the UK ETA
- The Consent Letter: When You Need It and What It Must Say
- UK Border Control with Children: What to Expect
- The British by Descent Trap — Critical for Expat Families
- Grandparents, Relatives, and Non-Parent Guardians
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. The Core Rule: Every Traveller, Every Age — Their Own ETA
There is no exception to this rule. The UK ETA applies to every individual travelling to the UK from a visa-exempt country, regardless of age. A newborn baby on their first international trip needs an ETA. An infant travelling in arms — carried by a parent rather than occupying their own seat — needs an ETA. Every person who will cross the UK border needs their own approved ETA, linked to their own passport.
| Age Group | Needs UK ETA? | Who Applies? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn baby | Yes | Parent/guardian | Must have own passport first — ETA linked to passport |
| Infant (under 2, travelling in arms) | Yes | Parent/guardian | ‘In arms’ does not exempt from ETA requirement |
| Child (2–15) | Yes | Parent/guardian | Parent completes form on child’s behalf |
| Teenager (16–17) | Yes | Parent/guardian or self | Can apply independently at 16+ but parent may still apply |
| Adult (18+) | Yes | Self (or assisted) | Standard adult application |
| Elderly grandparent | Yes | Self or family member applying on their behalf | Any adult can apply for any other person |
There is no group application, no family ETA, and no option to add children to a parent’s application. Each person requires a completely separate application submitted independently — even if all applications are completed at the same time by the same parent. The £20 fee applies separately to each person.
2. How Much Does It Cost?
All prices are in Euros (EUR) and include the mandatory UK Government fee of £20 (~€23). No hidden charges. Payment by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
| Plan | Total (EUR) | Processing | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | €69 €62 discounted* |
48–72 h | Photo review · Passport check · Email delivery · Basic support |
| Priority | €119 €107 discounted* |
~24 h | Photo review · Passport check · Priority queue · 24/7 support |
| Dedicated Agent | €169 €152 discounted* |
1–6 h | Photo review · Passport check · Personal agent · 24/7 fast support · Complex cases |
* 10% off the handling fee for students, military veterans, and minors under 18. Select the relevant option in the application form before payment — no documentation required. All plans include the non-refundable UK Government fee of £20 (~€23).
3. Family Cost Calculator: How Much for Your Group?
Use our calculator to find out exactly how much your group needs to pay.
The total ETA cost for a family trip is simply £20 × number of people (UK Government fee, in force from 9 April 2026). The table below shows the current government fee total for common family compositions.
| Family Composition | # ETAs needed | Government fee (£20 per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveller (1 adult) | 1 | £20 |
| Couple (2 adults) | 2 | £40 |
| Couple + 1 child | 3 | £60 |
| Couple + 2 children | 4 | £80 |
| Couple + 3 children | 5 | £100 |
| Single parent + 1 child | 2 | £40 |
| Single parent + 2 children | 3 | £60 |
| 3 generations (2 adults + 2 children + 2 grandparents) | 6 | £120 |
| School group of 20 | 20 | £400 |
Please note: An additional Service Fee applies and starts from €49, depending on your travel needs. The exact amount will be clearly shown before you submit your application and before any payment is made.
Although each application is separate, you can complete all family applications in a single session using the UK ETA app or GOV.UK. Applying together means all approvals arrive in roughly the same timeframe — avoiding the situation where one family member’s ETA is approved and another’s is still pending on departure day. At application-eta.uk, our team can process multiple family applications simultaneously, checking each one for consistency before submission.
4. How to Apply for a Child’s UK ETA: Step-by-Step
The application process for a child is identical in structure to an adult application — with the parent completing the form on the child’s behalf. Here is the exact sequence.
What you need before you start
- Your child’s valid passport — the same document they will travel with
- A clear photograph of your child’s face — plain white or light background, full face visible, no toys, no hats, eyes open
- Your email address — the approval notification will be sent here
- A payment card — credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay
The application steps
Go to our application form and follow the steps.
Photographing a baby for a biometric application is genuinely difficult. The most reliable method: lay the baby on their back on a white bedsheet or white towel, ensure even lighting from above (avoid direct flash), photograph from directly above so the face fills most of the frame. Both eyes should be open — wait for a moment when the baby is alert. The UK ETA app’s photo guidance shows exactly what is required.
5. Children’s Passport Requirements for the UK ETA
Children’s passports work exactly the same way as adult passports for ETA purposes — the ETA is linked to the specific passport document number. However, there are two important differences for children that parents frequently overlook.
Children’s passports expire after 5 years (not 10)
In most countries, children’s passports are valid for 5 years rather than the 10-year validity of adult passports. This means a child’s passport issued when they were 2 years old will expire before they are 7. If your child’s passport expires before your ETA does — which is entirely possible for a 5-year-old passport — the ETA expires at the same time as the passport. Check your child’s passport expiry date carefully before applying.
A new passport cancels the existing ETA
When your child’s passport is renewed, their existing ETA becomes invalid immediately — even if the ETA has years of validity remaining. A new passport = a new ETA application. Build this into your renewal planning: always apply for the new ETA before travel once the new passport is in hand.
| Scenario | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Child’s passport valid for the full trip duration | Apply for ETA using current passport — no further action |
| Child’s passport expires before ETA validity ends | ETA is capped at passport expiry — renew passport before next trip if needed |
| Child’s passport is renewed after ETA is approved | New ETA required — apply using new passport before next trip |
| Child’s passport expires within 3 months of travel | Renew passport first, then apply for ETA with the new document |
| Child does not yet have a passport | Obtain passport first — ETA cannot be applied for without a passport |
Read this detailed guide that explains all about taking kids pictures for your UK ETA
6. The Consent Letter: When You Need It and What It Must Say
The UK Home Office does not make a consent letter a mandatory document for the ETA application itself. However, UK Border Force may ask for evidence of parental consent when a child is travelling with only one parent, with a guardian who is not their parent, or unaccompanied. Not having one is a risk that is completely unnecessary to take.
| Travel Situation | Consent Letter Needed? | Risk Without It |
|---|---|---|
| Both parents travelling together with children | No — but not harmful to carry one | Very low risk |
| One parent travelling with children (other parent at home) | Yes — strongly recommended | Border officer may question the child extensively or delay entry |
| Non-parent guardian (grandparent, aunt/uncle) with children | Yes — essential | Boarding and entry may be refused without it |
| Child travelling unaccompanied | Yes — mandatory; airline will also require it | Boarding refused without airline-approved documentation |
| Child travelling with one biological parent, different surname | Yes — include birth certificate | Questions at border are likely; letter + certificate resolves instantly |
What the consent letter must contain
There is no official UK government template for a parental consent letter. The letter should include:
- Full name of the travelling child
- Date of birth and passport number of the child
- Full name(s) of the parent(s) or guardian(s) giving consent
- Full name of the accompanying adult (if not a parent)
- Destination and dates of travel
- A clear statement that the non-travelling parent(s) consent to this trip
- Contact telephone number for the non-travelling parent(s)
- Signature(s) of the consenting parent(s) — handwritten, not typed
- Date of the letter
A notarised consent letter (witnessed and stamped by a notary public or solicitor) is not a UK government requirement. However, for children travelling to the UK from countries where border officers may apply additional scrutiny — or for custody arrangements that are legally complex — a notarised letter significantly reduces the risk of being questioned at the border. For straightforward single-parent trips, a clearly written, signed letter with a copy of the custody or separation agreement is usually sufficient.
7. UK Border Control with Children: What to Expect
Arriving at the UK border with children is slightly different from solo travel — and knowing what to expect avoids unnecessary stress.
e-Gates: families cannot use them
UK automated e-Gates are available at most major airports for adults aged 18 and over. Families travelling with children must use a staffed immigration desk — not e-Gates. Even if the adults in the family are eligible for e-Gates, the presence of a child means the entire family must queue at the appropriate desk. Build extra time into your arrival process.
What Border Force may ask
At the staffed desk, a Border Force officer may ask any combination of the following — particularly if the family composition is non-standard (one parent, different surnames, guardian):
- Purpose of the trip — tourism, visiting family, events
- Where you are staying and for how long
- That you have return or onward travel tickets — have these accessible
- Proof of accommodation — a hotel booking, address of family you are staying with
- Evidence that the child is yours — birth certificate, if surnames differ
- Consent letter — if only one parent is present
These questions are routine — they are not a sign of a problem with your ETA. Answer clearly, have your documents accessible, and the process is typically over in a few minutes. The ETA has already been verified electronically before you reached the desk.
At the border desk: have every family member’s passport open to the photo page, have return tickets accessible on your phone or printed, have the hotel/accommodation booking visible, and if applicable have the consent letter and child’s birth certificate at the top of your carry-on. Officers appreciate travellers who are prepared — it speeds up the process for everyone.
8. The British by Descent Trap — Critical for Expat Families
This is the most important section of this article for expat families — and the one that is causing the most avoidable disruption in 2026. Please read it carefully, even if you believe it does not apply to you.
The situation in plain terms
If you are a British citizen born in the UK and your child was born outside the UK, your child may be automatically British by descent — even if they have never held a British passport, have never lived in the UK, and currently hold only a foreign passport (Australian, French, American, etc.).
A child who is a British citizen cannot apply for a UK ETA. ETAs are only for non-British nationals. If a British child attempts to enter the UK using an ETA linked to their foreign passport, the Home Office system will — or should — identify the conflict. The practical consequence: the child must travel on a British passport, or with a Certificate of Entitlement proving their British citizenship.
How to tell if your child may be British by descent
| Your Situation | Your Child May Be British by Descent If… |
|---|---|
| You are a British citizen born in the UK | Your child was born outside the UK — they may be automatically British by descent under the British Nationality Act 1981 |
| You are a British citizen by descent (born outside UK to a British parent) | More complex — your child may not automatically be British. Seek legal advice. |
| You are a naturalised British citizen | Your children born before you naturalised are not automatically British. Children born after may be. |
| Both parents are non-British | Your child is not British by descent regardless of where they were born |
Families living abroad with British heritage are currently applying for UK ETAs for their children — not knowing the child is already legally British. When the child arrives at the UK border, the ETA may be identified as invalid for that nationality status. This is causing missed flights, border delays, and significant distress. If there is any possibility your child is British by descent, check their citizenship status before applying for an ETA. If they are British, apply for a British passport — not an ETA.
What to do if you are unsure
- Check your own citizenship category: are you British ‘otherwise than by descent’ (born in the UK to a British parent or naturalised) or ‘by descent’ (born outside the UK to a British parent)?
- If you are British otherwise than by descent and your child was born outside the UK, your child is very likely British by descent. Contact your national embassy or the UK Passport Office to confirm.
- Apply for a British passport for your child before the trip. This takes time — plan several weeks in advance. Urgent passport services are available but costly.
- If travel is imminent and a British passport cannot be obtained in time, a Certificate of Entitlement (which proves British citizenship without a British passport) may be an alternative. Seek legal advice urgently.
9. Grandparents, Relatives, and Non-Parent Guardians
A common and entirely manageable scenario: grandparents flying in to visit, or relatives travelling with children while parents remain at home. The rules are the same — but the documentation requirements are higher.
Grandparents visiting the UK independently
Grandparents travelling alone to visit family in the UK need their own UK ETA in the normal way. They are not travelling with children — the child is already in the UK. No consent letter is required. The application process is identical to any other adult applicant.
A grandparent or relative travelling with a child
This is the highest-documentation scenario. The accompanying adult — who is not the child’s legal parent — should carry:
- Their own valid ETA
- The child’s valid ETA
- The child’s passport
- A consent letter signed by both parents (or the legal guardian), naming the specific adult who is accompanying the child, the specific trip, and the dates
- Contact details for the parents — Border Force may wish to verify
- Any legal guardianship documentation if the adult is the legal guardian rather than a biological parent
School trips, sports teams, and corporate groups involving minors require individual ETAs for every student or young participant. The group leader should maintain a consolidated document pack — a list of all participants with their ETA reference numbers and passport numbers, plus consent letters from parents of all minors in the group. UK Border Force processes groups through designated desks — being organised significantly speeds up arrival.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Does a baby need a UK ETA?
Yes. Every individual travelling to the UK from a visa-exempt country requires their own UK ETA — including newborn babies. There is no age exemption. A parent or guardian applies on behalf of the baby using the baby’s passport details and a recent photograph. The £20 government fee applies regardless of age.
Can I apply for a UK ETA on behalf of my child?
Yes. Any adult can apply for a UK ETA on behalf of another person — including a child of any age. You use your own email address and payment method, but enter the child’s passport details and photograph. The approval is sent to the email address used for the application. You are responsible for ensuring all information is accurate.
Does my child need a UK ETA if they have a British passport?
No. British citizens of any age — including children — do not need a UK ETA. If your child holds a valid British passport, they are fully exempt. They should travel using their British passport, not any other nationality passport they may hold.
Do I need a consent letter for my child to enter the UK?
A consent letter is not a mandatory Home Office requirement for the ETA application. However, UK Border Force may request evidence of parental consent when a child is travelling with only one parent, with a non-parent guardian, or unaccompanied. It is strongly recommended to carry a signed consent letter in these situations. A full list of what the letter should contain is in Section 5 of this guide.
Can children use the e-Gates at UK airports?
No. UK automated e-Gates are available only to adults aged 18 and over. Families travelling with children must use a staffed immigration desk regardless of the adults’ eligibility for e-Gates. Allow additional time in your arrival planning.
My child has dual nationality — which passport should they use?
If one of your child’s passports is British, they must use their British passport for UK travel — they cannot apply for or use an ETA. If both passports are non-British nationalities that require an ETA, apply for the ETA using the passport they will present at the UK border. They cannot use an ETA linked to one passport while travelling on the other.
My child is travelling with their grandparents, not with me. What do I need to prepare?
Prepare a signed consent letter naming the specific grandparent(s) accompanying the child, the destination, and the travel dates. Include contact details for both parents. Attach a copy of the child’s birth certificate if surnames differ. Both grandparents and child need valid UK ETAs linked to their own passports.
What happens if I forget to apply for my child’s ETA?
The carrier will be unable to verify permission to travel at check-in and will refuse to board your child — and likely the entire travelling family. Most ETA applications are decided within minutes, so if you realise the day before departure, apply immediately. For same-day emergencies, use the application-eta.uk Dedicated Agent service for the fastest possible managed processing.
Apply for Your Whole Family in One Session
At application-eta.uk, we can process all family members’ applications together — reviewing each one for accuracy before submission. One session, one point of contact, consistent processing for everyone travelling. No risk of one family member’s application holding up the others.
More UK ETA Guides