diff --git a/core/includes/bootstrap.inc b/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
index 499f552..5dee0a0 100644
--- a/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
+++ b/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
@@ -25,7 +25,15 @@
  * @todo Move this to an appropriate autoloadable class. See
  *   https://www.drupal.org/project/drupal/issues/2908079
  */
-const DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP = '5.5.9';
+const DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP = '7.0.0';
+
+/**
+ * Updates cannot be run on versions of PHP older than this version.
+ *
+ * @todo Move this to an appropriate autoloadable class. See
+ *   https://www.drupal.org/project/drupal/issues/2908079
+ */
+const DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP = '5.5.9';
 
 /**
  * Minimum recommended version of PHP.
diff --git a/core/includes/install.inc b/core/includes/install.inc
index 70c82b4..13f0372 100644
--- a/core/includes/install.inc
+++ b/core/includes/install.inc
@@ -1116,7 +1116,7 @@ function install_profile_info($profile, $langcode = 'en') {
       'description' => '',
       'version' => NULL,
       'hidden' => FALSE,
-      'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP,
+      'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP,
       'config_install_path' => NULL,
     ];
     $profile_path = drupal_get_path('profile', $profile);
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ModuleExtensionList.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ModuleExtensionList.php
index c8f492b..07a1d83 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ModuleExtensionList.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ModuleExtensionList.php
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class ModuleExtensionList extends ExtensionList {
     'description' => '',
     'package' => 'Other',
     'version' => NULL,
-    'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP,
+    'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP,
   ];
 
   /**
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ProfileExtensionList.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ProfileExtensionList.php
index 7c41516..bb054d0 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ProfileExtensionList.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ProfileExtensionList.php
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class ProfileExtensionList extends ExtensionList {
     'description' => '',
     'package' => 'Other',
     'version' => NULL,
-    'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP,
+    'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP,
   ];
 
   /**
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ThemeEngineExtensionList.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ThemeEngineExtensionList.php
index c4d39ef..aef0d4e 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ThemeEngineExtensionList.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ThemeEngineExtensionList.php
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ class ThemeEngineExtensionList extends ExtensionList {
     'description' => '',
     'package' => 'Other',
     'version' => NULL,
-    'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP,
+    'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP,
   ];
 
   /**
diff --git a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ThemeExtensionList.php b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ThemeExtensionList.php
index 07a2f3f..5468c3f 100644
--- a/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ThemeExtensionList.php
+++ b/core/lib/Drupal/Core/Extension/ThemeExtensionList.php
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class ThemeExtensionList extends ExtensionList {
       'comment_user_verification',
     ],
     'screenshot' => 'screenshot.png',
-    'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP,
+    'php' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP,
     'libraries' => [],
     'libraries_extend' => [],
     'libraries_override' => [],
diff --git a/core/modules/system/system.install b/core/modules/system/system.install
index 960bb7d..51fcdb0 100644
--- a/core/modules/system/system.install
+++ b/core/modules/system/system.install
@@ -186,24 +186,30 @@ function system_requirements($phase) {
     ];
   }
 
-  if (version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP) < 0) {
-    $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is too old. Drupal requires at least PHP %version.', ['%version' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP]);
+  $is_test_site = drupal_valid_test_ua() || getenv('DRUPAL_DEV_SITE_PATH');
+  if (version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP) < 0) {
+    $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is too old. Drupal requires at least PHP %version.', ['%version' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP]);
     $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_ERROR;
-    // If PHP is old, it's not safe to continue with the requirements check.
     return $requirements;
   }
-  if ((version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP) < 0) && ($phase === 'install' || $phase === 'runtime')) {
-    // Warn if still on PHP 5. If at least PHP 7.0, relax from "warning" to
-    // "info", and show it at runtime only, to not scare users while installing.
-    if (version_compare($phpversion, '7.0') < 0) {
-      $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Drupal will drop support for this version on March 6, 2019. Upgrade to PHP version %recommended or higher to ensure your site can receive updates and remain secure. See <a href="http://php.net/supported-versions.php">PHP\'s version support documentation</a> and the <a href=":php_requirements">Drupal 8 PHP requirements handbook page</a> for more information.', ['%recommended' => DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP, ':php_requirements' => 'https://www.drupal.org/docs/8/system-requirements/php']);
+  if (version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP) < 0) {
+    // Allow test installations of Drupal on the minimum update PHP.
+    if ($phase === 'update') {
+      $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is too old. Drupal requires at least PHP %version.', ['%version' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP]);
       $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_WARNING;
+      return $requirements;
     }
-    else {
-      if ($phase === 'runtime') {
-        $requirements['php']['description'] = t('It is recommended to upgrade to PHP version %recommended or higher for the best ongoing support.  See <a href="http://php.net/supported-versions.php">PHP\'s version support documentation</a> and the <a href=":php_requirements">Drupal 8 PHP requirements handbook page</a> for more information.', ['%recommended' => DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP, ':php_requirements' => 'https://www.drupal.org/docs/8/system-requirements/php']);
-        $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_INFO;
-      }
+    elseif (!$is_test_site) {
+      $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is too old. Drupal requires at least PHP %version.', ['%version' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP]);
+      $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_ERROR;
+      // If PHP is old, it's not safe to continue with the requirements check.
+      return $requirements;
+    }
+  }
+  if (version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP) < 0) {
+    if ($phase === 'runtime') {
+      $requirements['php']['description'] = t('It is recommended to upgrade to PHP version %recommended or higher for the best ongoing support.  See <a href="http://php.net/supported-versions.php">PHP\'s version support documentation</a> and the <a href=":php_requirements">Drupal 8 PHP requirements handbook page</a> for more information.', ['%recommended' => DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP, ':php_requirements' => 'https://www.drupal.org/docs/8/system-requirements/php']);
+      $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_INFO;
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/core/modules/system/tests/src/Functional/Update/SystemRequirementsTest.php b/core/modules/system/tests/src/Functional/Update/SystemRequirementsTest.php
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9ad3b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/modules/system/tests/src/Functional/Update/SystemRequirementsTest.php
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Drupal\Tests\system\Functional\Update;
+
+use Drupal\Core\Url;
+use Drupal\Tests\BrowserTestBase;
+
+/**
+ * Tests system_requirements errors on update.php.
+ *
+ * @group Update
+ */
+class SystemRequirementsTest extends BrowserTestBase {
+
+  /**
+   * {@inheritdoc}
+   */
+  protected static $modules = [
+    'system',
+  ];
+
+  /**
+   * Tests that for older versions of PHP a warning is shown.
+   */
+  public function testPhpWarning() {
+    $user = $this->drupalCreateUser(['administer software updates']);
+    $this->drupalLogin($user);
+    $url = Url::fromRoute('system.db_update');
+    $this->drupalGet($url);
+    $warning = sprintf('Your PHP installation is too old. Drupal requires at least PHP %s.', DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP);
+
+    if (version_compare(phpversion(), DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP) < 0) {
+      $this->assertText('Warnings found');
+      $this->assertText($warning);
+    }
+    else {
+      $this->assertNoText('Warnings found');
+      $this->assertNoText($warning);
+    }
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/core/tests/Drupal/FunctionalTests/Installer/InstallerTestBase.php b/core/tests/Drupal/FunctionalTests/Installer/InstallerTestBase.php
index 9810f34..5ea1e58 100644
--- a/core/tests/Drupal/FunctionalTests/Installer/InstallerTestBase.php
+++ b/core/tests/Drupal/FunctionalTests/Installer/InstallerTestBase.php
@@ -244,12 +244,7 @@ protected function setUpSettings() {
    * @see system_requirements()
    */
   protected function setUpRequirementsProblem() {
-    // By default, skip the "recommended PHP version" warning on older test
-    // environments. This allows the installer to be tested consistently on
-    // both recommended PHP versions and older (but still supported) versions.
-    if (version_compare(phpversion(), '7.0') < 0) {
-      $this->continueOnExpectedWarnings(['PHP']);
-    }
+    // Do nothing.
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/core/tests/Drupal/FunctionalTests/Update/UpdatePathTestBase.php b/core/tests/Drupal/FunctionalTests/Update/UpdatePathTestBase.php
index a127ab4..99963a7 100644
--- a/core/tests/Drupal/FunctionalTests/Update/UpdatePathTestBase.php
+++ b/core/tests/Drupal/FunctionalTests/Update/UpdatePathTestBase.php
@@ -295,6 +295,7 @@ protected function runUpdates() {
     ]);
 
     $this->drupalGet($this->updateUrl);
+    $this->updateRequirementsProblem();
     $this->clickLink(t('Continue'));
 
     $this->doSelectionTest();
@@ -388,6 +389,57 @@ protected function runUpdates() {
   }
 
   /**
+   * Tests the requirements page.
+   */
+  protected function updateRequirementsProblem() {
+    // By default, skip the PHP version warning on older test environments.
+    if (version_compare(phpversion(), '7.0') < 0) {
+      $this->continueOnExpectedWarnings(['PHP']);
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Continues installation when an expected warning is found.
+   *
+   * @param string[] $expected_warnings
+   *   A list of warning summaries to expect on the requirements screen (e.g.
+   *   'PHP', 'PHP OPcode caching', etc.). If only the expected warnings
+   *   are found, the test will click the "try again" link to go to the
+   *   next screen of the update. If an expected warning is not found, or if
+   *   a warning not in the list is present, a fail is raised.
+   */
+  protected function continueOnExpectedWarnings($expected_warnings = []) {
+    // Don't try to continue if there are errors.
+    if (strpos($this->getTextContent(), 'Errors found') !== FALSE) {
+      return;
+    }
+    // Allow only details elements that are directly after the warning header
+    // or each other. There is no guaranteed wrapper we can rely on across
+    // distributions. When there are multiple warnings, the selectors will be:
+    // - h3#warning+details summary
+    // - h3#warning+details+details summary
+    // - etc.
+    // We add one more selector than expected warnings to confirm that there
+    // isn't any other warning before clicking the link.
+    // @todo Make this more reliable in
+    //   https://www.drupal.org/project/drupal/issues/2927345.
+    $selectors = [];
+    for ($i = 0; $i <= count($expected_warnings); $i++) {
+      $selectors[] = 'h3#warning' . implode('', array_fill(0, $i + 1, '+details')) . ' summary';
+    }
+    $warning_elements = $this->cssSelect(implode(', ', $selectors));
+
+    // Confirm that there are only the expected warnings.
+    $warnings = [];
+    foreach ($warning_elements as $warning) {
+      $warnings[] = trim($warning->getText());
+    }
+    $this->assertEquals($expected_warnings, $warnings);
+    $this->clickLink('try again');
+    $this->checkForMetaRefresh();
+  }
+
+  /**
    * Runs the install database tasks for the driver used by the test runner.
    */
   protected function runDbTasks() {
diff --git a/core/tests/Drupal/Tests/Core/Extension/ThemeExtensionListTest.php b/core/tests/Drupal/Tests/Core/Extension/ThemeExtensionListTest.php
index 9c5fd58..cba97b8 100644
--- a/core/tests/Drupal/Tests/Core/Extension/ThemeExtensionListTest.php
+++ b/core/tests/Drupal/Tests/Core/Extension/ThemeExtensionListTest.php
@@ -259,6 +259,6 @@ class TestThemeEngineExtensionList extends ThemeEngineExtensionList {
 
 }
 
-if (!defined('DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP')) {
-  define('DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP', '5.5.9');
+if (!defined('DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP')) {
+  define('DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP', '5.5.9');
 }
diff --git a/core/tests/Drupal/Tests/Core/Extension/ThemeHandlerTest.php b/core/tests/Drupal/Tests/Core/Extension/ThemeHandlerTest.php
index 97a5e93..841073b 100644
--- a/core/tests/Drupal/Tests/Core/Extension/ThemeHandlerTest.php
+++ b/core/tests/Drupal/Tests/Core/Extension/ThemeHandlerTest.php
@@ -146,6 +146,6 @@ protected function themeRegistryRebuild() {
 
 }
 
-if (!defined('DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP')) {
-  define('DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP', '5.5.9');
+if (!defined('DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP')) {
+  define('DRUPAL_MINIMUM_UPDATE_PHP', '5.5.9');
 }
