Brits going on holiday now face £102 charges following a passport fee change that took effect on April 8, 2026. HM Passport Office increased the cost of applying for a new passport, making it more expensive for holidaymakers needing to renew or replace their travel documents.
Online and Postal Fee Increases
The cost to renew or replace a standard adult passport online is now £102, up from £94.50. For a standard child passport, the online fee rose to £66.50, from £61.50. Postal applications are even higher: £115.50 for adults (up from £107) and £80 for children (up from £74).
Premium and Overseas Fees Also Rise
The One Day Premium Service increased by £17.50, from £222 to £239.50. Frequent travellers face a 54-page adult passport costing £116 online or £129.50 by post. Overseas online applications for a standard adult UK passport rose from £108 to £116.50, and for children from £70 to £75.50. Paper applications from overseas now cost £130 for adults and £89 for children.
Government Justification
The Home Office said: "The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications." They added that fees contribute to processing applications, consular support overseas, and processing British citizens at UK borders.
Exemptions and Advice
British nationals born on or before September 2, 1929, are entitled to a free British passport and free Post Office Check and Send service. Holidaymakers are advised to apply in good time, as 99.7% of standard UK applications were processed within three weeks in 2025. For EU travel, passports must have a date of issue less than 10 years before arrival and an expiry date at least three months after departure. Renewals before October 1, 2018, may not meet these requirements, risking denied entry.
