NewsUK NewsPassport OfficeMore than 1.5 million extra will be eligible to use e-gates from today at major airports across the UK12:30, 08 Jul 2026Updated 12:33, 08 Jul 2026Changes to who can use e-gates at UK airports have come into force today, the Home Office has announced.‌From Wednesday, access has been expanded to allow younger children to use the e-gates as families prepare to head off on their summer holidays.‌The gates use face scans to match passengers' features to their passport photo with the facial recognition tech usually working faster than a manual inspection by a border official. Under previous rules only people aged 10 and over were allowed to use the e-gates meaning families with younger children had to queue for a passport booth.‌From today, children aged eight and nine returning to the UK are also eligible to use e-gates, the government has said. The changes to minimum age rules means that up to 1.5 million more children will be able to use them, the Government suggests.Schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland have already broken up for the summer holidays, while England and Wales are due to start the break later this month.The UK has nearly 300 e-gates across 15 UK airports and children aged eight and nine will now also be allowed to use them at ports in Brussels and Paris.‌Full list of UK airports with eGates:London HeathrowLondon GatwickLondon StanstedLondon LutonLondon CityManchesterBirminghamEdinburghGlasgowBristolNewcastleCardiffEast MidlandsSouthamptonSouthendBorder security minister Alex Norris said: “Today’s change will make journeys easier for families with small children and reduce the hassle of travelling home after a holiday.‌“It will also free up more time for tourists to enjoy our fantastic country this summer and in the years ahead.”Border Force director-general Phil Douglas previously said increasing access to e-gates enabled “highly skilled officers to focus on intercepting those who pose a threat to the UK”.UK e-gates are available to Britons as well as nationals from the European Union, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the US.Article continues belowThey can also be used by members of the registered traveller service.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Passport OfficeCustoms and Border ProtectionBorders UKHome Office