This varies by country and bank, but many European banks offer debit cards from ages 7–12 onward, with increasing functionality for teens aged 12–17.

A minor-owned account is held in the child’s name under parental authority, while a parent-linked card connects the child’s spending directly to the parent’s account with configurable limits and controls.

Apps provide real-time visibility, spending controls, savings tools, and education, aligning with how young users interact with money while reassuring parents.

Many integrate “learn-by-doing” tools such as spending categorization, digital piggy banks, savings challenges, and educational content directly into youth apps.

Youth accounts act as early relationship anchors, driving long-term customer lifetime value, stronger household penetration, and multi-generational loyalty.

Skaleet provides modular core banking solutions that allows banks to configure compliant youth accounts, parental controls, card and wallet integrations, and lifecycle progression from child to adult banking across markets.