Junior cash ISA
There’s a wide range of cash junior ISAs available from banks and building societies offering either fixed or variable interest rates. (We don’t currently offer these at MoneySuperMarket)
What is a Junior ISA?
A Junior ISA (JISA) is a long-term, tax-free savings account for children – perfect for parents, grandparents or guardians looking to build a financial nest egg.
For the 2025/26 tax year, you can pay in up to £9,000 (ends 5 April 2026). Anyone can contribute, but the annual limit can't be exceeded.
Just like adult ISAs, there’s no income or capital gains tax on any returns. The money is locked away until the child turns 18, when it rolls into an adult ISA.
It’s a smart way to help with big future costs – like university, a first car, or a home deposit.
How do Junior ISAs work?
Choose a provider: Compare interest rates or investment options to find the right Junior ISA for your child.
Open the account: Apply online as a parent, guardian or grandparent – providing ID and your child’s basic details.
Top up annually: Pay in up to £9,000 in the 2025/26 tax year (deadline 5 April 2026). You can contribute regularly or in one lump sum.
Access at 18: When your child turns 18, the JISA automatically becomes an adult ISA – giving them full access to the savings.
What are the different types of Junior ISA?
There are two types of JISA to choose from depending on your attitude to risk. You can choose either or a combination of both.
-
-
Junior stocks and shares ISA
With a stocks and shares JISA the money is invested in stock markets. You have the potential to earn a decent rate of return on your cash over time. But returns are not guaranteed and there is risk to capital if markets fall in value
What can you invest in with a Junior ISA?
If you opt for a Junior stocks and shares ISA, you can choose to invest in a range of different assets. You can either invest in a ready-made JISA, where these assets are selected for you by the ISA provider, or you can opt for a self-select JISA, where you can choose the investments yourself.
Investment types to consider include:
-
Individual stocks
Buy shares in specific companies you believe will grow in value. You’ll benefit if the share price rises or the company pays dividends.
-
ETFs
Exchange-traded funds are low-cost investments that usually track the performance of a market index, sector, or commodity – and can be bought and sold like shares.
-
Bonds
Lend money to governments or companies and receive regular interest payments. Bond funds spread your investment across different bonds to reduce risk.
-
Unit and investment trusts
These are pooled funds managed by professionals who invest in a mix of shares, bonds, or other assets – helping spread risk across different investments.
How to choose the best Junior ISA for your child
The best Junior ISA to suit you and your child will depend on a range of factors. Be sure you’re comfortable with the following...
-
Your attitude to risk
With an investment JISA you’ll have to accept that the value of your savings pot can go down as well as up. Different funds and assets will have varying degrees of risk.
-
Minimum investment
Some JISA providers will have a minimum investment requirement, such as £25 or £50 a month for example, for others it may only be £1. In some cases there may be a minimum lump sum investment.
-
Ethical investing
You may want to consider a JISA with underlying investment funds or assets that are ethical or sustainable. Many funds focus on ESG (environmental, social, governance) factors.
-
Fees and charges
Check the annual fees or investment charges on different JISAs before you sign up as these can vary widely between investment ISA providers.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Junior investment ISA?
Junior ISAs are a popular choice for parents saving for their child’s future. But if you opt for an investment or stocks and shares JISA there are pros and cons to consider, including:
-
Pros
Your money – and investment returns - are shielded from tax
Save up to £9,000 per tax year and any adult can make contributions into the JISA
Equity investment gives your money a great chance to grow over time. Over longer periods, stock markets tend to outperform cash (although returns are never guaranteed)
-
Cons
With a stocks and shares JISA, your money could go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invest
Money is locked away until the child turns 18 and cannot be withdrawn
Once the child turns 18, they can do what they want with the money. Parents have no control over the proceeds of the JISA
Why compare Junior stocks and shares ISAs with MoneySuperMarket?
-
It's quick and easy
Our goal is to help you find the best Junior ISA for your child
-
Compare from a wide range of ISA providers
We show you a range of investment JISA accounts with product information provided by each brand
-
Open your Junior ISA today
Click through to apply for your Junior ISA and start saving for your child's future
What is the annual allowance for a Junior ISA?
In the current tax year (April 2025 – April 2026), the Junior ISA allowance is £9,000. This annual allowance can be split between a cash junior ISA and a stocks and shares JISA.
Any adult (not just parents) can contribute to the account, provided the total amount does not breach the £9,000 annual limit.
Parents, grandparents, other family members or guardians can make a lump sum payment into the JISA or set up a direct debit into the account to make monthly payments. There is no requirement to add money each year. Payments can be started or stopped at any time.
What are the other rules on children’s ISAs?
There are a few terms and conditions of JISAs to be aware of, such as:
-
The CTF and JISAs
Children who have a government Child Trust Fund – CTF account – cannot also have a Junior ISA. But while you can’t have both, you can convert a Child Trust Fund into a Junior Isa.
-
JISA funds belong to the child
The parent or guardian needs to open the account, but the money belongs to the child and is tied up in the JISA until they turn 18.
-
Child has control of the JISA from 16
Your child can legally take control of the account from the age of 16 and choose their own investments if they wish.
-
Money can be spent at age 18
You have no control over the money once the child gets access to the JISA funds at the age of 18. The child is free to spend it or convert it into a normal adult ISA, for example.
What are the alternatives to a Junior ISA?
If a Junior ISA doesn’t quite fit your needs, there are other smart ways to save for your child’s future:
-
Children’s savings accounts
Easy-access or regular saver accounts from banks and building societies. Great if you want flexibility and the option for your child to dip into the money before they turn 18.
-
Premium Bonds
Offered by NS&I, these give your child a chance to win tax-free prizes instead of earning interest. You can invest up to £50,000, and there’s no risk to your capital.
-
Bare trusts
These let you invest in a child’s name with fewer restrictions than a Junior ISA. The money legally belongs to the child and can be accessed from age 18.
Our expert says…
Junior ISAs remain one of the best ways to build a tax-free pot for your child’s future. The key is to start early – the longer the money is invested, the more time it has to grow.
Just remember, your child won’t be able to access the funds until they turn 18. If they might need access to some of the money sooner, it could be worth splitting savings between a Junior ISA and a children’s savings account.
Kara Gammell Personal Finance & Insurance Expert
How to compare Junior stocks and shares ISAs with MoneySuperMarket
Trusted Service Awards Winners
MoneySuperMarket has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience.
Learn more about children and finances
What is the eligibility criteria to open a Junior ISA?
To open a JISA on behalf of a child, the child needs to be under 18. You must live in the UK.
If the youngster was born after 3 January, 2011, you can open an account. (If they are aged 16 or 17, they can open it themselves).
Any child born before 2 January, 2011, will have been automatically signed up for a Child Trust Fund (CTF) by the Government. But you can convert a CTF into a JISA if you wish.
Who can contribute to a Junior ISA?
Parents, grandparents, relatives, friends, legal guardians – and any adult, in fact – can make contributions into a JISA, provided the £9,000 limit is not breached.
The Government used to make contributions to child trust funds – CTF account, but it does not contribute to JISAs.
Does the annual JISA allowance roll over into the next tax year?
As with adult ISAs, if you do not contribute the full amount in any one tax year, you cannot carry the allowance forward: it’s a case of ‘use it or lose it.’
What if I want to move to a new JISA provider?
You can transfer between JISA providers – if the new provider accepts transfers. But if you choose a new provider, you’ll need to transfer all your JISA funds from previous years.
You cannot leave earlier contributions with the old provider. Contact your new Junior ISA manager to arrange the transfer.
Can a child have more than one Junior ISA?
Each child can have only one Junior Cash ISA and one Junior Stocks and Shares ISA at any time. However, they can hold both types at once and split the £9,000 annual allowance between them.
What happens if a child moves abroad?
If the child moves overseas, no further payments can be made into the Junior ISA unless they are a Crown servant's dependent. However, the account remains open and continues to benefit from tax-free growth.
Comparing savings accounts
You can compare savings accounts using a number of factors. These include the interest rates they offer as well as how long the rate will last, the amount you might need to deposit in order to open the account, and how you can access the account. Once you’ve decided which account you want, simply click through and you’ll be taken to the provider’s website.
Not sure what type of account to go for? Our Savings Decision Tree can help you decide.
How we work
So how do we make our money? In a nutshell, when you use us to buy a product, we get a reward from the company you’re buying from.
But you might have other questions. Do we provide access to all the companies operating in a given market? Do we have commercial relationships or ownership ties that might make us feature one company above another?
We commit to providing you with clear and informative answers on all points, so we have gathered the relevant information on this page.
Reviewed on 11 Dec 2025 by
