Junior ISA rules for 2026/27: limits, ages and what happens at 18

SYM TeamUpdated ISA

A Junior ISA (JISA) is a tax-free savings or investment account for a child under 18 who lives in the UK. In the 2026/27 tax year up to £9,000 can be paid in, by anyone. A parent or guardian opens and manages it, the child can take control at 16, and the money is locked away until they turn 18, when it becomes theirs to keep, spend or move into an adult ISA.

This guide covers the 2026/27 rules in detail, what a JISA could grow to, and how it compares with other options. For a gentler introduction aimed at new parents, see our Junior ISA guide.

Junior ISA rules at a glance

Rule2026/27 position
Annual limit£9,000 across all of a child's JISAs
Who can open oneA parent or guardian with parental responsibility
Who can pay inAnyone: parents, grandparents, friends
TypesCash, stocks and shares, or both
Child manages itFrom 16
WithdrawalsFrom 18 (exceptions for terminal illness or death)
TaxNo tax on interest, dividends or gains

The child must be under 18 and live in the UK. Children of Crown servants posted abroad, such as armed forces personnel, can also qualify. A child cannot hold a Junior ISA and a Child Trust Fund at the same time, but a Child Trust Fund can be transferred into a JISA.

How the £9,000 limit works

The £9,000 limit is per child, per tax year (6 April to 5 April), and covers every JISA the child has. If £2,000 goes into a cash JISA, only £7,000 more can go into a stocks and shares JISA that year. Unused allowance does not carry over.

Contributions from family do not use up their own £20,000 adult ISA allowance, so grandparents can contribute without affecting their own ISA saving. The £9,000 limit is not changed by the adult Cash ISA reforms due in April 2027.

  • Share the account details with relatives so birthday and Christmas money can go straight in.
  • Check provider minimums: many accept small one-off payments or monthly amounts from around £10 to £25.
  • If several people pay in, keep a running total so you stay within £9,000. Our ISA allowance tracker can help.

What a Junior ISA could grow to

These examples assume monthly payments from birth to 18 and a steady annual return after charges. Real returns vary: cash rates change, and investments rise and fall.

MonthlyPaid inAt 3%At 5%
£50£10,800£14,297£17,460
£100£21,600£28,594£34,920

Starting early matters more than the amount. Try other figures in the compound interest calculator.

Cash JISA or stocks and shares JISA?

Because the money is locked until 18, a newborn's JISA has a timescale that suits investing. A stocks and shares JISA has historically had a better chance of beating inflation over 10 to 18 years, though the value can fall, including shortly before your child turns 18. A cash JISA is predictable and suits shorter timescales, such as a child who is already 14.

  • Under about 10 years to go: many parents favour stocks and shares, often a low-cost global fund.
  • Under about 5 years to go: consider moving some or all into cash to lock in what has been built.
  • You can transfer between cash and stocks and shares JISAs without affecting the annual limit; ask the new provider to arrange it.
  • Compare charges carefully: platform fees and fund charges have a big effect over 18 years. Our Junior ISA rates guide explains how to compare providers.

At 16 and 18: handing over control

At 16 your child can take over managing the account, choosing investments and providers, but still cannot withdraw. Since 6 April 2024, 16 and 17-year-olds can no longer open adult Cash ISAs, so the JISA is the main tax-free option until 18.

On their 18th birthday the JISA automatically becomes an adult ISA in their name. They can withdraw everything, leave it invested, or keep saving into it with their own £20,000 allowance. Parents have no legal say at that point, which is why many families talk early about what the money is for: university costs, a first car, a house deposit or a Lifetime ISA top-up.

Junior ISA vs other ways to save for a child

OptionAccessTax position
Junior ISAChild at 18Tax-free
Children's savings accountVaries by accountParental £100 interest rule applies
Junior SIPPChild at minimum pension ageTax relief: £2,880 becomes £3,600
Savings in your own nameYou, any timeYour allowances apply

The £100 rule matters: if money given by a parent earns more than £100 of interest a year in a child's ordinary account, the whole amount is taxed as the parent's income. This rule does not apply to Junior ISAs, which is one reason they suit regular parental saving. Saving in your own name keeps control but means the money is not legally your child's. Our comparison of Junior ISAs, Child Trust Funds and children's savings accounts goes further.

Opening a Junior ISA and building the habit

  • Have your child's birth certificate details or National Insurance number (if 16 or over) and your own ID ready.
  • Choose cash or stocks and shares, then compare rates or charges.
  • If your child was born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, check for a forgotten Child Trust Fund using gov.uk's search tool and transfer it if a JISA suits you better.
  • Set up a monthly standing order, even a small one, and review it each birthday.
  • Put part of your Child Benefit or a small daily amount aside. Many parents use SYM to set aside a little each day, then move it into the JISA monthly.

Frequently asked questions

How much can I put in a Junior ISA in 2026/27?
Up to £9,000 in total across all of a child's Junior ISAs between 6 April 2026 and 5 April 2027. The limit is per child, so siblings each have their own £9,000.
Can grandparents pay into a Junior ISA?
Yes. Anyone can pay into a Junior ISA once a parent or guardian has opened it, and it does not use their own ISA allowance. Only a parent or guardian can open the account.
What happens to a Junior ISA when my child turns 18?
It automatically becomes an adult ISA in their name. They can withdraw the money, leave it where it is or keep paying in using their own adult allowance.
Can I take money out of my child's Junior ISA?
No. The money belongs to the child and cannot be withdrawn until they are 18. The only exceptions are if the child is terminally ill or dies.
Can a child have a Junior ISA and a Child Trust Fund?
No, a child cannot hold both. If your child has a Child Trust Fund, you can transfer it into a Junior ISA, which often gives a better choice of rates and lower charges.
Should I choose a cash or stocks and shares Junior ISA?
For a young child, many parents choose stocks and shares because there are many years to ride out market falls. For an older child, or if you cannot accept any risk, cash may be better. You can hold both as long as the total stays within £9,000.
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