Can grandparents open a Junior ISA for a grandchild in the UK?
At Borealis Financial Planning, we are often approached by grandparents who are looking to invest for their grandchildren tax-efficiently. There are various different savings and investment accounts to choose from. One of the most popular is a Junior ISA.
What is a Junior ISA?
A Junior Stocks and Shares ISA is one of the most popular ways to save for children as any growth on investments is free from capital gains tax and income tax.
A child can access funds in a Junior ISA from age 18 so the money could be used towards financial goals such as a house deposit, buying a first car or to help with university fees.
Who can have a Junior ISA?
To be eligible for a Junior ISA, the child must be a UK resident under the age of 18.
Who can open a Junior ISA?
A Junior ISA cannot be opened by a grandparent. A Junior ISA must be opened by a parent or legal guardian. However, other family members, including grandparents, may also contribute to the Junior ISA after it has been opened.
Can Grandparents Open a Junior ISA?
While grandparents cannot open a Junior ISA in the name of their grandchildren directly, they can contribute to existing Junior ISAs held by the children.
How much can be contributed to a Junior ISA?
In the 2025/26 tax year, the maximum that can be put into a Junior ISA is £9,000.
Give your child or grandchild a financial head start
To find out how to start saving or investing for your child or grandchild, you can book a no-obligation meeting with a financial adviser at Borealis Financial Planning online or call us on 0117 456 5921.
The value of an investment with St. James's Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.
The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.
SJP approved 13/02/2026