UK Passport Fees Pass £100 Mark
UK passport fees are set to rise again, with adult online renewals exceeding £100 for the first time. From 8 April 2026, the standard online renewal fee will increase from £94.50 to £102. Children’s passports will also go up, rising from £61.50 to £66.50. The changes apply to new applications and renewals, continuing a trend of steadily increasing costs.
Postal applications will become even more expensive. Adult fees will increase from £107 to £115.50, while children’s applications will rise from £74 to £80. The premium next-day service will also see a jump, climbing from £222 to £239.50. Officials say the aim is to cover processing and support costs, rather than relying on general taxation.
"The price increase is to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation."
Ways to keep passport costs lower
- Apply before 8 April to avoid higher fees
- Use the online service instead of post
- Skip next-day processing unless necessary
Processing times remain relatively stable. Most applications that do not require extra checks are completed within three weeks. However, timing still matters, especially as demand tends to rise ahead of peak travel periods.
Renewing early also helps avoid problems linked to passport validity rules. Some older burgundy passports list expiry dates that extend beyond the actual usable period. The valid date is ten years from issue, not the printed expiry. For travel to the EU, passports must be less than ten years old and valid for at least three months after the return date.
These changes mean you may have to spend more before your trip even starts. Leave your passport renewal too late, and you could end up paying extra or waiting longer than you expected. That becomes a problem if your travel date is close. Applying earlier gives you more time to sort things out. With fees going up again, the timing of your application can still change how much you pay.
