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This is a PSA to anyone whose passport expires this year: get your renewal application in ASAP. In just over two weeks, it could cost you even more than it does right now.
The cost of passport applications have gone up every year since 2023. Last week, the government revealed its plans to increase fees once again – and this time, they’re set to rise above £100 for the first time ever.
At the time of writing, the proposed increases are still subject to approval from Parliament, but here’s what will happen if they get the green light.
When are UK passport fees increasing?
Subject to approval, the price of British passport renewal applications will rise on April 8 2026.
How much will passport applications go up by?
Here’s a list of the proposed fee increases for each kind of passport application. They’ll each go up by around eight percent.
Standard application from with the UK
- Adults: £94.50 to £102
- Children: £61.50 to £66.50
Postal application from UK
- Adults: £107 to £115.50
- Children: £74 to £80
Standard application from overseas
- Adults: £108 to £116.50
- Children: £70 to £75.50
Postal application from overseas
- Adults: £120.50 to £130
- Children: £82.50 to £89
Premium service (one day) application from UK
- Adults: £222 to £239.50
Why are UK passport fees increasing?
The increase in fees is so that the Home Office can ‘move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it’ and rely less on general taxation. The price contributes to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.
How long does it take to renew a passport?
The Home Office says that 99.7 percent of ‘straightforward’ passport applications are processed within three weeks, but it can take longer if more information is needed or you need to be interviewed. As a general rule, apply for a passport renewal with as much time before travelling as possible.
It takes longer to apply for a passport for the first time for yourself or a child – expect this process to be closer to six weeks.
This year, anyone due a new passport will get one of the new redesigned versions. Rolled out at the end of last year, they feature watermark-style illustrations of famous British landscapes representing the four nations that make up the UK.
ICYMI: The UK’s new dual citizenship passport rules for 2026 explained.
Plus: British passport holders will soon need to pay for a visa to visit Europe – EES and ETIAS explained.
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