UK ETA for Children & Babies 2026: Complete Parent’s Guide

If you’re planning a family trip to the UK in 2026, one of the most common questions parents ask is: do children and babies need a UK ETA? The short answer is yes — from January 2025, the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation requirement applies to all travellers including infants and young children from eligible countries. There are no age exemptions.

This guide covers everything parents need to know about applying for a UK ETA for children and babies in 2026, including costs, documents needed, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for smooth family travel.

Key Takeaways

• Children and babies from ETA-eligible countries must have their own UK ETA
• Each child needs a separate application — linked to their own passport
• The ETA fee is £16 per person, including infants
• Children do not attend biometric appointments — the application is entirely online
• Babies need their own passport for international travel — no exceptions

Do Children Need a UK ETA?

Yes. Every traveller from an ETA-eligible nationality requires their own UK ETA — regardless of age. This includes:

Key fact: The UK ETA costs £16 per application, is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires, and allows unlimited visits of up to 6 months each. Citizens from 48 eligible countries must obtain an ETA before travelling (Source: GOV.UK).

• Newborns and infants
• Toddlers and young children
• Teenagers up to 18 years old

Children who are EU citizens but travelling on a non-EU parent’s passport eligibility country may need separate consideration. If your child holds dual nationality (for example, British and Australian), their British citizenship means they do not need an ETA. See our guide on UK ETA and Dual Nationality 2026 for details on using the right passport.

There are also specific rules for children travelling with one parent or without parents. We cover these in detail below.

UK ETA for Children: Step-by-Step Application

Step 1: Obtain a Passport for Your Child

Every child travelling internationally must have their own passport. A child cannot travel on a parent’s passport. If your baby or young child does not yet have a passport, you must apply for one before starting the ETA application.

Passport validity requirements for UK ETA applicants: your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the UK. It does not need to be valid for 6 months beyond your stay (unlike some other countries’ entry requirements).

Step 2: Apply Online

The UK ETA application is completed online at GOV.UK or through an authorised third-party service. When applying for a child, you will need:

• Child’s passport (to photograph the data page)
• Child’s nationality and date of birth
• A photo of the child’s face (taken on a smartphone or digital camera)
• The parent or guardian’s email address and payment details

For younger children, parents or legal guardians can complete the entire application on the child’s behalf. The child does not need to attend any appointment or sign anything.

Step 3: Pay the Fee

The UK ETA fee is £16 per person, including children and babies. For a family of four (two adults and two children), the total ETA cost is £80. If you use a third-party service, an additional service fee will apply.

Step 4: Receive Confirmation

Once approved, the ETA is linked electronically to your child’s passport. You do not receive a physical stamp or sticker — the approval is confirmed by email and stored in the UK immigration system. Airlines verify ETA status automatically during check-in.

Photo Requirements for Children’s UK ETA

One area where parents frequently encounter problems is the passport photo for a child’s ETA application. The requirements are strict:

• The photo must show the child’s full face, looking directly at the camera
• Both eyes must be open and clearly visible
• The child must not be wearing a hat or head covering (unless for religious reasons)
• The background must be plain white or off-white
• No shadows on the face or background
• For babies, this can be taken on a clean white sheet if the baby cannot sit up

For detailed guidance, see our article on UK ETA Photo Requirements 2026.

Tips for Photographing Babies and Young Children

• Lay the baby on a white sheet and photograph from above
• Use good natural light — avoid harsh shadows
• Make sure the baby’s eyes are open and looking towards the camera
• Multiple attempts are usually needed — take 10–20 photos to find the best one

Children Travelling with One Parent or a Guardian

When a child travels to the UK with only one parent, or with someone who is not their parent (e.g., a grandparent, school teacher, or family friend), additional documentation is strongly recommended to prevent issues at UK Border Force.

Recommended Documentation for Solo-Parent Travel

• A consent letter from the absent parent, signed and ideally notarised
• Evidence of the child’s relationship to the travelling adult (birth certificate)
• Contact details for the absent parent
• Evidence of the travelling adult’s relationship to the child (if not a parent)

While UK immigration law does not legally require these documents in all cases, Border Force officers have the discretion to ask for them and may detain a child if they have concerns about the travel arrangements. Having this documentation prevents delays and anxiety at the border.

For Children Travelling with Non-Parent Adults

If a child is travelling with someone who is not their parent or legal guardian (such as on a school trip or with a relative), a signed and notarised consent letter from both parents/guardians is strongly recommended. Include:

• Both parents’ full names and contact details
• The child’s full name and date of birth
• The name of the adult the child is travelling with
• The travel dates and destination
• A statement that both parents consent to the trip

UK ETA for Babies: Specific Considerations

For newborns and very young babies, additional considerations apply:

• Get the passport first — a baby’s passport can take 3–6 weeks to issue in some countries. Apply well in advance of your travel date
• ETA approval is fast — once you have the passport, the ETA application itself is processed within minutes to a few hours
• The ETA is valid for 2 years (or until passport expiry, whichever comes first). If your baby gets a new passport, a new ETA is needed

How Long Is a UK ETA Valid for Children?

Understanding the validity period is essential for planning family holidays. Whether you’re visiting royal residences like Buckingham Palace or exploring the Scottish Highlands, your child’s ETA must be valid for the entire trip.

A UK ETA for a child is valid for 2 years from the date of approval, or until the passport it is linked to expires — whichever comes first. Children’s passports are typically valid for 5 years (compared to 10 years for adult passports), so bear in mind that the ETA will expire when the passport does.

When your child gets a new passport, you must apply for a new UK ETA linked to the new passport. The ETA is tied to the specific passport number and cannot be transferred.

Common Mistakes Parents Make with Children’s UK ETA

• Forgetting to apply for the child — families sometimes apply for the adults and forget the children’s ETAs until the last minute
• Using an expired child’s passport — children’s passports expire more quickly; always check
• Incorrect date of birth format — entering DD/MM/YYYY vs MM/DD/YYYY is a common error
• Photo rejection — not meeting the strict photo requirements, especially for babies who can’t sit up
• Not applying with enough lead time — apply at least 72 hours before travel (see our processing times guide), but 2–4 weeks in advance is recommended for families

For a complete list of common errors, read our guide to UK ETA Application Mistakes.

Additional Tips for Smooth Family Travel to the UK

Beyond the ETA application itself, parents should consider several practical aspects when planning UK travel with children. Ensure you have printed copies of all ETA confirmation emails, as airport staff may request them during check-in. It is also wise to save screenshots of the approved ETA on your phone as a backup.

If you are travelling with a baby under two years old, most airlines allow infants to travel on a parent’s lap at reduced or no fare, but the child still requires their own ETA. Car seat regulations in the UK require children under 12 years old or shorter than 135cm to use an appropriate child restraint when travelling by car. Rental car companies in the UK can provide child seats, but booking in advance is recommended during peak travel seasons.

Parents should also be aware that the UK’s child passport application process can take up to 10 weeks, so plan well ahead of your trip. Emergency or fast-track passport services are available at an additional cost if you need to travel urgently.

Costs: UK ETA for a Family

The UK government has made the ETA system affordable for families. According to Visit Britain, the UK welcomes millions of family tourists each year, and the ETA process is designed to be quick and budget-friendly.

The UK ETA costs £16 per person as of February 2026. For a family of four (2 adults + 2 children), the total cost for ETA applications is £80. There is no family discount.

If you prefer to use a professional ETA application service, our team at VisaETA can process all family members’ applications together, reducing the risk of errors. We offer family packages for streamlined processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a newborn baby need a UK ETA?

Yes. All travellers from ETA-eligible countries require their own ETA, regardless of age. A newborn baby must have both a passport and an approved ETA before travelling to the UK. The application is completed online by the parent, and the approval is emailed to the parent’s email address.

Can a child travel to the UK alone?

Children under 18 can technically travel to the UK alone — there is no UK law preventing unaccompanied child travel. However, airlines have their own minimum age requirements for unaccompanied minors (typically 12–16 years old depending on the airline), and the child must have all necessary travel documents including a valid UK ETA.

What if my child’s passport expires before the ETA?

The ETA is automatically linked to the passport and expires when the passport expires. If your child renews their passport before the ETA’s 2-year validity is up, you must apply for a new ETA on the new passport before travel.

Do children need to answer the security questions on the ETA application?

Yes — all ETA applications include questions about criminal history, health conditions, and immigration history. Parents complete these on behalf of their children. In virtually all cases for children, the answers will be straightforward (no criminal record, no immigration violations).

Can I apply for the whole family’s ETA at the same time?

Each person needs a separate ETA application linked to their individual passport. You can complete multiple applications in sequence, but each is a separate submission with its own fee. Our service at VisaETA allows you to manage multiple applications conveniently in one session.

Official Sources & References

1. UK Government — Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
2. UK Government — Apply to Come to the UK
3. UK Home Office — Guidance for Travellers
4. Visit Britain — Plan Your Family Trip
5. UK Government — Foreign Travel Advice

Conclusion

Planning a family trip to the UK in 2026 means ensuring every member of your family — including the youngest children and babies — has their own approved UK ETA. The process is straightforward and entirely online, but requires advance planning, particularly for obtaining children’s passports and photos.

Key steps for parents:

• Ensure every child has a valid passport well before your travel date
• Apply for each child’s ETA separately, at least 72 hours before travel
• Prepare a consent letter if travelling with only one parent or a non-parent guardian (our UK family permit guide covers extended family options)
• Check passport expiry dates — children’s passports expire after 5 years

For more family travel information, see our guide to UK ETA for Families and Children 2026. For official guidance, visit the UK ETA page on GOV.UK.