How old do you have to be to get a debit card?

You can get a prepaid debit card for a child from as young as 6 years old.

Key takeaways

  • Most high-street banks will let children open a children’s bank account when they are 11 years old, with their parents’ permission.
  • Most high-street banks will let children open a children’s bank account at 16 years old without their parent’s permission.
  • There are now prepaid debit cards designed for children aged 6 and up, which require a parent to sign up for the card.

Reviews of prepaid cards and bank accounts for children

GoHenry Account - with £20 pocket money and 2 months free

GoHenry Account - with £20 pocket money and 2 months free

9.2 Excellent
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Monthly fee£3.99
Card delivery fee£0
Get an exclusive 2 months free and £20 pocket money offer when you sign up with CODE: AFFFDR220.

GoHenry accounts are for children aged between 6 and 18. You can open a GoHenry account a month before their 6th birthday and then they’ll be able to use their new card as soon as they turn 6. Kids aged 6–12 can get a prepaid debit card with their account. Once they turn 13, the account automatically becomes a GoHenry 13+ account, so they can then add their card to Apple Pay and receive money via QR code into their account. This is still a prepaid debit card, so they can only spend money that is loaded onto the card.

NatWest Rooster Money Account

NatWest Rooster Money Account

9.3 Excellent
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Monthly fee£1.99
Card delivery fee£0
Rooster Card Subscription is free for current Natwest Group customers (card for ages 6-17, offer T&C's and other fees may apply).

Natwest Rooster Money accounts are for kids aged 6–17. They come with a prepaid debit card, which needs to have money loaded onto it and isn’t linked to an account. Once your child turns 13, they can add their card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, making it a bit more convenient for them, assuming they have their own smartphone. Natwest also has an Adapt account for children over 11 (with permission from a parent or guardian). This is a current account that comes with a regular debit card that is linked to the account, so they can spend what is in the account.

Santander 123 Mini Current Account

Santander 123 Mini Current Account

7.4 Great
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Monthly fee£0
Card delivery fee£0

Santander’s 123 Mini account is a current account designed for children and teenagers. It can be opened for children under 13 in trust and managed by an adult, but there is no option for a card until they turn 13. They can earn interest on the money in the account but can’t spend it with a card. For kids aged 13–17, the account comes with a debit card that is linked to the account. A cash card can be requested instead, but a debit card is the default option. Cash cards only allow cash withdrawals, and can't be used for purchases in shops or online.

The benefits and drawbacks of getting a debit card at age 6–10

The main argument against giving a debit card to a 6-year-old is: they are not responsible to use one. However, the main argument for giving them one is that it teaches them how to be financially responsible.

Is this a lesson that a 6- to 10-year-old child really needs to learn?

Well, a 2013 study, authored by behavioural analysts at Cambridge University, suggested that humans begin to understand and form money habits at age 7.

Indeed, it’s also the age that most children begin to receive pocket money, even if it’s only for trivial things like chocolate bars or trading cards.

And the more experience that a child gains from managing their own money, the better they are likely to become when they start living independently.

A prepaid card gives parents enough control to prevent their child from being reckless with their finances. It is up to the parents to top up these cards and it is impossible to go overdrawn. If there is not enough funds to complete a transaction, the purchase won’t be cleared.

At the same time, these cards usually come with apps that allow children to view their balance and previous transactions. This could prove to be a useful aid to teach them basic numeracy, plus simple financial lessons, such as “when the money is gone, you can’t buy anything else”.

The benefits and drawbacks of getting a debit card later on

Once a child reaches the age of 11 – old enough to open a children’s bank account with your permission – the items they want to spend money on tend to become more complex and more expensive.

Perhaps they see the newest video game or fashion items that their friends have and begin pestering you for the same things.

This is potentially a great opportunity for parents to teach their children an early lesson about saving for the future.

Instead of splashing out on their every whim and desire, you can perhaps arrange a standing order into their bank account. Then, your child will begin to learn what it’s like to wait (and work hard) to be able to afford luxury items.

This is a lesson that every child needs to learn before they are sent out into the adult world of complete financial independence, unless you want them to keep pestering you for money into early adulthood and beyond.

A debit card will allow them to make online purchases and set up direct debits, so they don’t have to bother you to do this for them either.

At the same time, parents still have the option to choose an account that lets them monitor what their child’s pocket money is being spent on. Many digital banks and online account providers already block payments for age-inappropriate products and services, like gambling, from these types of accounts as standard.

Frequently asked questions

Finder survey: Which finance topics do you feel confident teaching your child/children about?

ResponseMaleFemale
Overdrafts78.17%63.62%
Credit score75.11%60.41%
Personal loans74.24%57.71%
ISA accounts62.01%40.49%
Inflation58.52%39.59%
APR54.15%31.49%
Student loans52.84%37.15%
Mortgage loan to value51.97%34.83%
Base rate41.92%27.25%
Source: Finder survey by Censuswide of 1007 Brits, July 2023
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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Matthew Boyle is a banking and mortgages publisher at Finder. He has a 7-year history of publishing helpful guides to assist consumers in making better decisions. In his spare time, you will find him walking in the Norfolk countryside admiring the local wildlife. See full bio

Matthew's expertise
Matthew has written 279 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Helping first-time buyers apply for a mortgage
  • Comparing bank accounts and highlighting useful features
  • Publishing easy-to-understand guides

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