Who can open an account?
For an under-16, a parent or guardian with parental responsibility opens the Junior ISA. Young people aged 16 or 17 can open their own. The usual eligibility is being under 18 and living in the UK, with limited exceptions. Children cannot hold a Child Trust Fund alongside a Junior ISA; arrange a provider-led transfer if moving between them.
Cash and stocks & shares
A cash Junior ISA earns interest. A stocks and shares Junior ISA holds investments whose value can fall as well as rise. An ISA is the account wrapper, not a particular investment. Choosing a stocks and shares provider may still leave you with a separate choice of funds or a managed portfolio.
What to ask the provider
Before applying, collect the information the provider requests about you and your child. Check the minimum opening payment, regular contribution rules, fees, available investments and how transfers work. Do not close an existing ISA to move it without first checking the formal transfer process.
Keep a simple family record
Record the tax year, contributor, amount and date of each payment. Share the remaining allowance with relatives who plan to contribute. A birthday gift and a monthly payment both count towards the same overall allowance. A shared record can avoid assumptions that each grandparent has a separate limit.
Prepare for the handover
As your child grows, explain what the account is, why it exists and how saving differs from investing. Talk about possible uses without treating a gift as a promise that they must spend it your way. Ask the provider what identification and account steps your child will need as they approach adulthood.
This guide explains general options, not what is right for your family. Investments can lose value. Tax rules and account terms can change. For personal recommendations, speak to a regulated financial adviser.
Sources & further reading
Core rules checked against the following sources on 28 October 2026. Check current terms before acting.
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