UK passport fees are set to increase for the second time in just over a year, with the cost of renewing a passport going up by £6 (€7) as of April 11. The latest fee hike aims to reduce the reliance on taxpayer money to fund and improve passport services, as well as support consular services overseas and processing at UK borders. Waiting times for passport renewal have improved compared to a year ago, with British holidaymakers advised to allow three weeks for the process. The fees for standard online passport applications from within the UK will rise to £88.50 (€103) for adults and £57.50 (€67) for children, up from £82.50 (€93) and £53.50 (€60) respectively.
In comparison to other European countries, the UK’s passport fees are relatively higher. In France, the adult fee for a passport application from within the country is €86, while in Italy, the fee is €73.50 with an additional stamp duty of €40.29. Spanish passport renewal fees are significantly lower at €30. All of these countries, including the UK, issue passports that are valid for 10 years for adults. However, since Brexit, UK citizens must ensure their passports are valid for at least three months after the date they plan to leave the country they are visiting due to changes in EU regulations classifying UK citizens as ‘third country nationals.’
During the COVID-19 pandemic, passport renewal waiting times increased to 10 weeks due to restrictions impacting processing times. However, wait times have now been reduced to around three weeks. To ensure timely passport renewal for a summer holiday, applications should be submitted by the start of June at the latest. Faster services are available for those with urgent travel plans, such as the Online Premium service, which takes one day and requires an in-person appointment at a passport office. The Fast Track service delivers renewed passports to your home one week after the appointment, with fees currently at £155 (€181) for adults and £126 (€147) for children.
It is important for UK citizens to be aware of their passport expiration date, as new rules post-Brexit require passports to be valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure date. The increased passport fees are aimed at reducing taxpayer reliance on funding passport services, supporting consular services overseas, and processing at UK borders. While waiting times have improved compared to a year ago, British holidaymakers are advised to allow three weeks for passport renewal. The latest fee increase will see standard online passport application fees rise to £88.50 (€103) for adults and £57.50 (€67) for children, and postal application fees increase to £100 (€117) for adults and £69 (€80) for children.
UK citizens applying for or renewing their passports should plan ahead to ensure timely processing, especially if they have urgent travel plans. Filing applications online is a more cost-effective option, and applications should be submitted at least three weeks before intended travel. Faster services are available for those with immediate travel needs, such as the Online Premium service, which provides same-day processing for a higher fee. The new passport fees will not only cover the cost of processing applications but also contribute to supporting consular services overseas and processing at UK borders. Additionally, UK citizens must be mindful of their passport expiration dates to comply with new regulations post-Brexit.
