Rules by country
Booking child models.
Permits, working hours, school, chaperones and earnings for models under 18, in 12 markets. Every entry is built from official sources and says so where a source is silent.
| Market | Permit or licence | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (England) | A licence is needed for any child who works as a model where payment, other than expenses, is made to the child or to anyone else (s.37(1)(b)). | Oct 2026 |
| France | A child under 16 cannot be hired as a model without prior individual authorisation from the administrative authority (Code du travail L7124-1, 3°). | Oct 2026 |
| Italy | Work by children is banned except as in art. | Oct 2026 |
| Germany | Employing children is banned (JArbSchG § 5(1)). | Oct 2026 |
| Spain | Work under 16 is banned (Estatuto de los Trabajadores, art. | Oct 2026 |
| Netherlands | Children under 13 may not work in the Netherlands. | Oct 2026 |
| Poland | A child under 16 may do paid work only for an entity running cultural, artistic, sports or advertising activity. | Oct 2026 |
| Lithuania | No special permit for child models or performers is stated in the sources checked. | Oct 2026 |
| Latvia | In exceptional cases a child may be employed as a performer in cultural, art, sport and advertising events. | Oct 2026 |
| Estonia | A child aged 7 to 12 may do light work only in culture, art, sport or advertising (Employment Contracts Act § 7(4)). | Oct 2026 |
| United States: New York | Child models are child performers under New York law. | Oct 2026 |
| United States: California | A permit from the Labor Commissioner is required to employ any minor as an advertising or photographic model (Labor Code § 1308.5(a)(7)). | Oct 2026 |
A summary for planning, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the local authority before booking a minor. For the agency side of working with young models, see how model scouts work and talent management agreements.