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Junior ISAs

How to open a Junior ISA

Learn who can open a Junior ISA and how to do it in our guide.

Getting started with Junior ISAs

Junior ISAs, known as JISAs, are tax-efficient savings and investment accounts for under-18s. Parents can save on behalf of their children safe in the knowledge that they won’t pay tax on interest, profits or dividends.

Many families use Junior ISAs to build a nest egg for their children’s future, with the money locked away until kids turn 18. Here are some things to consider before applying for one.

The power of long-term saving for kids

In the hustle and bustle of daily family life, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. But it’s worth taking a moment to consider the power of long-term saving and investing.

By planning early and choosing the right products, you could give your kids a head-start. Here are some of the benefits:

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How can you save and invest for children?

Whether saving for life milestones or even retirement, parents have plenty of options. They include:

  • Junior ISAs. We cover these tax-free savings and investment accounts in-depth below.
  • Kids savings accounts. You can open an account in trust, then pay in cash on your child’s behalf.
  • Children’s pensions. A junior personal pension lets you build a retirement pot for your little ones, with different investment options available.
  • Premium Bonds. Backed by the government, Premium Bonds invest your kids’ savings in a monthly prize draw.

Who can open a Junior ISA?

To open a Junior ISA online or in person, you’ll need to be:

  • the child’s parent or legal guardian if they’re under 16; or
  • a 16 or 17 year-old opening the account for yourself.

 

The child has to live in the UK, unless you’re a Crown servant and they’re dependent on you for care. They can’t have an existing Child Trust Fund either.

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Can a grandparent open a Junior ISA?

Grandparents can’t open a Junior ISA when saving or investing for their grandchildren, unless they are a legal guardian. Only parents and guardians can open one.

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Types of Junior ISA

There are two main Junior ISA types you can choose to open. In both cases, the money belongs to the child and can’t be accessed till age 18.

  • Junior cash ISAs: these work like traditional savings accounts, with your child earning interest on the money that’s paid in. There’s no tax to pay on this savings interest.
  • Junior stocks and shares ISAs: these let you place money in a variety of investments, with the income and profits tax-free. Depending on the provider, investment options could include funds, shares or bonds. There’s an element of risk though, since investments can go up and down.

At NatWest, we currently offer a stocks and shares Junior ISA.

How much can I save into a Junior ISA?

You can pay in up to £9,000 in the 2025-26 tax year. This is called the Junior ISA allowance.

It can be split across the different types of Junior ISA – cash accounts and stocks and shares accounts. For example, you could save £4,500 into a cash Junior ISA, and £4,500 into a stocks and shares account.

Key considerations when opening a Junior ISA

Here are some things to consider before deciding on a Junior ISA.

Why choose the NatWest Junior ISA?

Build towards your child’s future with a stocks and shares Junior ISA that’s free of income and capital gains tax.

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Choose from five ready-made funds, with different risk levels.

Start with a lump sum of £50 or more, or monthly deposits from £10.

Transparent investment fees.

 

Information Message
Information Message

The NatWest Invest Junior ISA is a stocks and shares ISA. The value of investments can fall as well as rise, and you may not get back the full amount you invest. Eligibility criteria, fees and charges apply.

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How can I open a Junior ISA? – FAQs