Renewing a passport in Europe can take as little as one day or as long as eight weeks, depending on the country. Many German holidaymakers have been caught off guard by lengthy passport application wait times at the Federal Printing Office, with processing times shooting up from two weeks to eight. This has led to extra costs for express applications or temporary passports to cover trips. Record numbers of passports ordered in Germany since the start of 2024 mean that hundreds of thousands of citizens could be affected by delays. However, in Belgium, passport renewal is one of the fastest in Europe, with new passports usually arriving within five working days of submitting a renewal request. Urgent processing is available for an additional fee, with next-day delivery options at higher costs.
In France, passport renewal times vary by prefecture, with some places taking up to eight weeks to issue new passports from the date of application. It is important to check the waiting times for appointments and the processing times in your local town hall if you need to renew your French passport. The cost to renew a French passport is €86, with temporary passports available in emergency situations. In Italy, waiting times for a new passport are relatively short, typically taking between two and three weeks for issuance. An expedited service is available for those needing travel documents sooner at a cost of €116. In the Netherlands, passport renewal can take as little as one week, with additional costs for express applications varying by municipality. Passports are usually ready within five working days of applying and cost €148.50.
In Spain, passport renewal is fast and cheap, with passports issued on the same day as the application appointment. However, availability of appointments may vary depending on location and office busy-ness, so planning ahead is advisable. The cost of a new Spanish passport is up to €30, making it one of the cheapest in Europe. In the UK, passport renewal times have improved in recent months since the pandemic backlog. British passport holders must ensure their passport is valid for at least three months after the date they plan to leave the EU. The standard passport renewal fee is £88.50 (€105) for online applications, with fast track and premium services available at higher costs. British passport holders are now classified as ‘third country nationals’ following Brexit, which has implications for passport validity rules and travel within the EU.
