Tattoo regulations in United Kingdom
In Great Britain, the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 makes it an offence to tattoo anyone under 18, even with a parent's consent. Registration or licensing of premises and practitioners is handled differently in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and local councils set hygiene byelaws and record-keeping conditions. Health answers are special-category data under the UK GDPR.
Last checked September 25, 2026
Minimum age
Who you can tattoo, and with whose permission.
Minimum age
18 and over
Younger clients
Parental consent is not an exception
Parental consent does not make it legal to tattoo under-18s. The defence is a reasonable belief that the client was 18 or over, so check photo ID and keep a note that you did.
Consent
What the customer signs before each tattoo.
Client records
What to record and how long to keep it.
Keep for 3 years
From official guidance
- Accounting records: 6 years
What to record
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Type of ID checked
- Date of the procedure
- Placement on the body
- Artist
- Health questionnaire answers
- Client signature
Ink
What can go into the skin and what you must record.
Sterilization and waste
Cleaning, sterilizing and getting rid of sharps.
Licensing
What you need to open a studio and work in it.
Guest artists
Hosting artists from somewhere else.