Travelling to the UK with children: passport, ETA and permissions

When travelling to the United Kingdom with children, each child must have the documents required for their own circumstances. A passport or other accepted travel document, an ETA or visa depending on nationality, and parental consent in certain situations: a child's travel requirements are not automatically covered by their parents' documents.

The rules depend in particular on the child's nationality, their status, who they are travelling with and the circumstances of the trip. Additional supporting documents may also be useful when a child travels with only one parent, with an adult who is not their parent, or when they do not have the same surname as the adult accompanying them.

Which documents do you need to travel to the UK with a child?

There is no single list that applies to every child. The documents required depend on their nationality and the circumstances of the trip.

Does a child need a passport to travel to the UK?

Every child must have their own travel document. A document used by their parents does not automatically cover the child.

For citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, a valid passport is normally used to enter the United Kingdom. National identity cards remain accepted in certain specific circumstances, including for some beneficiaries of the EU Settlement Scheme and under specific school trip schemes.

The document must be valid for the entire stay. The different exceptions allowing a national identity card to still be used are explained in our article about passport requirements for travelling to the United Kingdom.

Does a baby need their own passport?

A baby must also have their own travel document that meets the requirements applying to their nationality. Their young age does not exempt them from entry requirements.

Does a child need a UK ETA?

Yes, if their nationality and circumstances are subject to the ETA requirement. The authorisation is individual: everyone who needs one must have their own, including babies and children.

A parent can apply on behalf of their child. An ETA currently costs £20 per person. A family therefore cannot use a single authorisation for all its members.

The requirements, exemptions, processing times and application process are explained in our article about the UK ETA.

Does a child need a visa for the UK?

Whether a child needs a visa mainly depends on the child's nationality and the purpose of their stay.

Many children, including citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, can make a short visit without a visa but will normally need an ETA unless an exemption applies.

For nationalities that require a visa, the child must have their own permission. The visitor rules for children also include requirements relating to parental consent, travel and accommodation arrangements.

The different situations are explained in our article about UK visa requirements.

Do you need parental consent to travel to the UK?

There is no single UK parental authorisation document that every foreign child must present when entering the United Kingdom with their parents.

The requirements depend in particular on who the child is travelling with and the rules that apply in their country of departure. A country may impose its own permission requirements when a child travels alone or without all of their legal guardians.

On the UK side, border officials may ask for information to verify the relationship between a child and the adult travelling with them. When the accompanying adult is not the child's parent, a letter from the parent giving permission for the child to travel and providing their contact details can help establish the circumstances.

What should you bring if your child has a different surname?

Having a different surname does not prevent you from travelling to the United Kingdom. However, it may lead to additional questions at the border to verify the relationship between the child and the accompanying adult.

Border Force states that several documents can help establish this relationship, including:

• a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship with the child;
• a marriage or divorce certificate if the parent has a different surname;
• if the accompanying adult is not the parent, a letter from the parent giving permission for the child to travel and providing their contact details.

These documents can help avoid unnecessary difficulties or delays at border control.

Can a child travel to the UK with only one parent?

Yes, but it is sensible to check the rules that apply to the family's circumstances and the country from which the child is travelling.

When only one parent accompanies the child, documents establishing the family relationship and, depending on the circumstances, consent from the other parent or legal guardian may be required or useful.

Situations involving separation, divorce, sole custody or particular parental responsibility arrangements may also require specific documents. It is therefore not possible to apply one universal rule to every family and every country of departure.

Can a child travel with grandparents or another adult?

Yes, provided the entry requirements and the rules applying to the child are met.

When a child travels with grandparents, family friends or another adult who is not their parent, it is advisable to carry documents that clearly explain the circumstances.

A letter signed by the parent or parents can include:

• confirmation that the child is allowed to travel with the adult concerned;
• the parent or parents' contact details;
• the dates and destination of the trip;
• the identity of the adult accompanying the child.

A birth or adoption certificate and other documents establishing the family relationship may also be useful depending on the circumstances.

Can a child travel alone to the UK?

Yes, UK rules allow a child to travel without an adult if they meet the requirements that apply to their stay.

A child travelling alone must have, in particular:

• suitable arrangements for their travel and stay in the United Kingdom;
• written consent from their parent or guardian to travel to the United Kingdom;
• full contact details for their parent or guardian;
• suitable accommodation during their stay;
• enough money to support themselves and pay for their return or onward journey.

Information about accommodation may also include the name, date of birth and address of the person the child will be staying with, as well as the nature of their relationship.

What happens at UK border control when travelling with children?

When arriving in the United Kingdom, Border Force officers may ask questions if they need to verify the relationship between a child and the adult accompanying them.

This may happen in particular when:

• the child and adult do not have the same surname;
• the adult is not the child's parent;
• the relationship between the child and accompanying adult is not immediately obvious.

It is therefore useful to keep travel documents and any relevant family documents easily accessible when passing through border control.

Border Force also recommends that families stay together when going through the border.

Can children use eGates in the UK?

Yes, from the age of 8, provided all the requirements are met.

To use the eGates, a child must in particular:

• be 8 years old or over;
• be at least 120 cm tall;
• have a biometric passport and meet the other eligibility requirements;
• be accompanied by an adult if they are aged between 8 and 17.

Travellers using a national identity card cannot use the eGates.

Which documents are required for a school trip to the UK?

The requirements for school trips depend on the country where the school is based and whether there is a specific scheme agreed with the United Kingdom.

Outside these specific schemes, pupils must have the documents normally required for their nationality and circumstances, including a passport and, where required, an ETA or visa.

School trips from France

A specific scheme exists for school groups travelling from France. The France-UK School Trip Travel Information Form can be used by a school registered with the French Ministry of Education for a group of at least 5 children aged 18 or under.

Children correctly listed on this form do not need a visa or an ETA, regardless of their nationality.

Pupils who are citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein must have:

• a signed authorisation to leave France (autorisation de sortie du territoire or AST) from their parent or guardian;
• a copy of the parent or guardian's identity document;
• a passport or national identity card.

When they have a passport, the UK authorities recommend using it to make border checks easier.

Pupils of other nationalities must have, in particular, their AST, a copy of the parent or guardian's identity document and a passport.

Accompanying adults do not automatically benefit from the exemption granted to pupils: depending on their nationality and circumstances, they may need an ETA or visa.

School trips from Germany

Since 1 August 2026, a similar scheme has been available for certain school trips organised from Germany using the Germany-UK School Trip Travel Information Form.

It applies to groups of at least 5 pupils aged 19 or under from a German school or educational institution whose existence is confirmed by the relevant municipal or competent authority.

Pupils correctly listed on the form do not need a visa or an ETA.

Pupils who are citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein can use a passport or national identity card. The German authorities also recommend that each pupil carries an informal declaration of consent to travel signed by their parent or guardian and a copy of that person's identity document.

Pupils of other nationalities must have the travel document required under the scheme. As with the French scheme, the rules applying to accompanying adults remain separate.

FAQ about travelling to the UK with children

Does a baby need a UK ETA?

Yes if their nationality and circumstances are subject to the ETA requirement. Every traveller must have their own authorisation, including babies.

Can a child travel to London with a national identity card?

A national identity card is no longer normally used by European citizens for an ordinary visit to the United Kingdom. It remains accepted in certain specific circumstances, including for some beneficiaries of the EU Settlement Scheme and under specific school trip schemes.

Do you need permission from the other parent to travel to the UK?

The answer depends on the family's circumstances, who is accompanying the child and the rules of the country from which the child is travelling. When a child travels without their parents or when consent is required, make sure you have the relevant documents before departure.

My child has a different surname from me: is that a problem?

No. Border Force may nevertheless ask additional questions. A birth or adoption certificate, or a marriage or divorce certificate depending on the circumstances, can help demonstrate your relationship with the child.

Can a child travel alone by Eurostar or plane?

UK rules allow a child to travel alone when they meet the relevant requirements, but each transport operator sets its own age and supervision requirements. You should therefore check the rules of the company you are travelling with before booking.

Can children use eGates in London?

Yes, from the age of 8 if all the requirements are met. Children aged 8 to 17 must, in particular, be accompanied by an adult and be at least 120 cm tall.

Do children need an ETA for a school trip to the UK?

It depends on the trip. Pupils covered by the official France-UK or Germany-UK school trip schemes and correctly listed on the relevant form are exempt from the ETA requirement. Outside a specific scheme, the usual requirements corresponding to the child's nationality and circumstances apply.

Does every child need their own travel documents?

Yes. The required documents and authorisations are individual. A child cannot simply travel under their parent's passport, ETA or visa.

Summary

When travelling to the United Kingdom with a child, check their travel document, any ETA or visa requirement and any permissions needed for the circumstances of the trip separately. Children who need an ETA must have their own authorisation, including babies.

When a child travels with only one parent, with grandparents or another adult, or has a different surname, documents establishing the family relationship and consent to travel can help with border checks. A child travelling alone must, in particular, have written consent from their parent or guardian and suitable arrangements for their stay.

School trips may benefit from specific rules. Special schemes currently exist for certain school groups travelling from France and Germany, with exemptions from visa and ETA requirements when all the official conditions are met.