UK passport holders are being warned to act fast, with passport application fees set to rise sharply from Thursday, 10 April. The government has confirmed that prices across HM Passport
Office services will go up by 7%, marking yet another hike in recent years.
For adults applying online, the cost will increase from £88.50 to £94.50, while children’s online applications will jump from £57.50 to £61.50. Postal and express services will also see price rises.
This latest increase pushes the total passport price rise over the last two years to 25%, far outpacing current inflation rates — and making the UK passport one of the most expensive in Europe, close to Denmark (£100) and Italy (£97).
Check your documents before travelling
Brits travelling to EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein are reminded to check their passports carefully. To enter these countries, your passport must be:
Issued less than 10 years before your date of arrival
Valid for at least three months beyond your departure date
Public Reaction: Frustration and Financial Strain
The price hike has sparked outrage online. One TikTok user wrote, “WHY IS EVERYTHING GOING UP EXCEPT WAGES… drives me insane.”
Another, comparing the cost with France, said: “My daughter’s French passport renewal was just €17 — we’ll stick with the French one.”
Some say they haven’t been able to afford renewals for years. Jessie Chambers, a senior travel expert at Global Work and Travel, says the increase comes at a difficult time:
“Whether you’re a young person planning your first trip or a family trying to get passports sorted for the holidays, this hits hard — especially when everything else is getting more expensive too.”
She notes that for families, renewing multiple passports at once can mean shelling out hundreds of pounds, potentially forcing them to delay or cancel holidays.
Could domestic tourism benefit?
Zoe Adjey, Senior Lecturer at the University of East London, suggests there could be a silver lining. Rising international travel costs may lead more Brits to choose holidays at home, boosting the UK’s domestic tourism sector.
“While passport fees alone won’t stop people from travelling abroad, these growing expenses could make foreign holidays less realistic for many families,” she said.
What are the new passport fees?
Here’s a breakdown of the old vs. new costs:
Current (Before 10 April):
Adult (online): £88.50
Child (online): £57.50
Adult (postal): £100
Child (postal): £69
Premium 1-day adult: £207.50
Premium 1-day child: £176.50
Overseas adult (online): £101
Overseas child (online): £65.50
Overseas adult (postal): £112.50
Overseas child (postal): £77
From 10 April:
Adult (online): £94.50
Child (online): £61.50
Adult (postal): £107
Child (postal): £74
Premium 1-day adult: £222
Premium 1-day child: £189
Overseas adult (online): £108
Overseas child (online): £70
Overseas adult (postal): £120.50
Overseas child (postal): £82.50
Why the increase?
The Home Office says the higher fees will help cover the costs of processing passports and providing consular support abroad. A spokesperson stated:
“These changes will support the Home Office in moving toward a cost-recovery model, reducing reliance on general taxation. No profit is made from passport fees.”
Some of the revenue will also go toward improving border services for British citizens.
How long does it take to renew?
In 2024, 99.7% of standard UK applications were processed within three weeks — though it may take longer for those applying from abroad.
Fast-track and premium services are available for those who need a passport urgently, such as in medical emergencies or family bereavements.
Should you renew now?
Travel expert Simon Calder advises renewing before 10 April if:
Your passport expires before 25 November 2025, or
You plan to travel internationally before that date.
With the price increase looming, renewing now could save you — and your family — a significant amount. Photo by EditorInTheRye, Wikimedia commons.