UK EGates For Children: Access To Expand From July 2026

This article considers UK eGate access for children, current eGate eligibility, when travellers must see a Border Force officer and the UK’s wider move towards contactless borders.

1. What Are UK eGates?

The eGates are self-service gates that allow eligible biometric passport holders to clear the border more efficiently, helping to avoid delays while maintaining security.

The eGates system has expanded over the years. In 1998, the first digital UK passport was introduced; this included a digital image of the photograph and signature. The first biometric passports, with an electronic chip featuring the holder’s data, were introduced in 2006. The first ePassport gates were introduced in the UK in 2008.