Monzo for Under 16s
A free bank account for them, with controls set by you.
Ages 6-15 • UK residents • Parent/Guardian account needed • Ts&Cs apply
The bank account for kids that keeps up as they grow up
Our free account for 6–15 year olds, with no up-front costs, subscription or top-up fees.
They’ll feel that bit more grown up with their own neon card. They can even see their spending in the app if they have a device – we’ve made it child-friendly for them.
Meanwhile, you can keep an eye on things. See their transactions in your app, set spending limits and schedule pocket money.
Money for kids, sorted
No more counting out coins – money's sorted with Monzo.
Pocket money, sorted
You can send your child one-off payments in 3 taps, or set up a schedule to pay them pocket money regularly.
Gifts, sorted
Share their payment link so friends and family can send money straight to your child – they can be sent up to £250 in total over a 30 day period.
Travel, sorted
They can pay for daily travel and take their card on school trips. They can even pay abroad with no fees. We pass Mastercard’s exchange rate directly onto them, without fees or extra charges.
See how it compares to other kids’ debit cards and bank accounts
Monzo for Under 16s
Prepaid kids' cards*
Kids' bank accounts*
Features
Free for every child
Eligible from 6+
Upgrade to adult account
See their spending
Set limits and controls
Additional family member
Save and earn interest
Save without interest
FSCS protection
FCA regulated bank
Features
Free for every child
Eligible from 6+
Usually 11+
Upgrade to adult account
Only under 18s
See their spending
No visibility
Set limits and controls
Limited controls
Additional family member
Most offer this
No access
Save and earn interest
Save without interest
Save without interest
Save with interest
FSCS protection
No FSCS protection
FCA regulated bank
Not a bank
*Prepaid kids’ cards: GoHenry, Osper & Nimbl
Some prepaid kids’ cards offer interest for an additional fee
Kids’ bank accounts: Santander 123 Mini, Nationwide FlexOne, Barclays BarclayPlus, Halifax Money Smart & NatWest Child and Teen Account
You’ll need our current account first
Manage your everyday money and your family's finances - all in one place.
Get to know your spending habits with weekly and monthly insights.
Earn 3.50% AER interest (variable) with an Instant Access Savings Pot and Cash ISA.
- Pay abroad with no foreign transaction fees or hidden costs. We pass Mastercard's exchange rate directly onto you, without fees or extra charges.
Apply for an account in minutes
Already have a Monzo account? It takes minutes to apply for an Under 16s account. You won’t have to visit a branch, wait on hold, or find any paperwork.
1. Open Monzo
In the app, tap ‘+’ in the top right and then ‘Monzo for Under 16s’.
2. Sign up
Follow the steps and answer a few questions about your child.
3. Pick their card
Pick the card they want and set a PIN. They can start using it within days.
Frequently asked questions
Who can open an Under 16s account?
You need to be the child’s parent, legal guardian or primary carer to create and look after a child account. You can’t set up an account as an extended family member, younger sibling or friend.
What do I need to open an Under 16s account?
You need our current account first – if you don’t already have one, you just need some photo ID to apply. Once your current account is ready, you can open an Under 16s account. Then just answer a few questions about your child, including their date of birth and address. Make sure you give their correct date of birth – we may ask you to verify this at a later date.
Can a second family member help with the account too?
Yes – once you set up the account, you’ll be able to invite an additional family member to help with your Under 16s accounts. Family members can see the child’s spending, send money, and even freeze cards. Family members need to be closely related to the child and over the age of 18.
Can I set spending limits for my child?
Yes – head to your child’s Spending limits in your app to edit their daily spending limit. You can also use customisable controls to turn cash withdrawals and online payments on or off.
Can my child add their card to their mobile wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Your child can set up Apple Pay or Google Pay when they turn 13.
What happens if they lose their card?
You can freeze their card in your Monzo app, or your child can freeze it if they have the app. If it turns up (in that pocket!), you can unfreeze it the same way. If it’s lost or stolen, you can order a replacement for them for £5 in the app.
What happens when they turn 16?
Your child can use their Under 16s account until their card expires - even after their 16th birthday. We’ll cancel their card when they turn 18.
They can choose to apply for a free 16–17s account anytime after they turn 16. Or they can wait and apply for our adult current account when they're 18.
Switch to Monzo
The Current Account Switch Service means moving payments or making Monzo your main account is a breeze.
You can’t switch an existing child account to an Under 16s account, but you can switch an existing adult account to a current account.
Open a free current account
Download the Monzo app on iOS or Android and join more than 11 million personal and business customers who've changed the way they bank.
