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.

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By

Matthew Boyle

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Fact checked

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

GoHenry Account

9.5 Excellent
Monthly fee£3.99
Card delivery fee£0
Go to site Read review

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

9.7 Excellent
Monthly fee£0
Card delivery fee£0
See dealRead review

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

6.4 Standard
Monthly fee£0
Card delivery fee£0
Go to site Read review

This is a children’s current account that is available at high street bank Santander. For children aged 12 and under, the 123 Mini is just a basic deposit-holding account, which must be opened in a branch by an adult (trustee) and then be managed by that trustee. But for kids aged above 13, they can apply online to open the account themselves. Please note: Some form of identity documentation would be required to open this account. They’ll get a Santander contactless debit card or a cash card (the latter can be used for ATM withdrawals only). These teenagers can also use Santander’s online and mobile banking services to manage their account. So apart from deciding what money to put in for their kids to spend, there’s not as much in the way of parental controls with this account.

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
Our “Best for” picks highlight top options in specific categories based on our independent evaluation (see our full methodology), while “Promoted” tags indicate sponsored placements. Selected products may not suit everyone. We track selected market offers, which may not cover every product. Products are listed in no particular order unless specified, and inclusion or ordering may be influenced by popularity or commercial agreements. Most comparison table data is provided by Defaqto or sourced directly from providers. Always evaluate your own circumstances and consider independent advice before making major financial decisions.
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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 210 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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