The cost of a UK passport is set to increase from midnight tonight, marking the second price hike in just over 14 months. The online fee for a new or renewed adult passport will rise by 7%, from £82.50 to £88.50, following a 9% increase in February 2023. Consumer group Which? has warned that travellers due to renew will 'likely be shocked' by the latest rise.
The Home Office has defended the increase, stating that it does not make a profit from passport applications and that the additional revenue will help improve services. The cost of applying for a child's passport online will also rise, from £53.50 to £57.50, while postal applications for adults will increase from £93 to £100. Passports remain free for those born on or before 2 September 1929.
Which? Travel expert Guy Hobbs noted that the UK passport is now among the priciest in Europe, with the online cost of £88.50 placing it behind only Switzerland (£122), Denmark (£103), and Italy (£99.50). For comparison, a US passport costs £103. The Post Office's 'check and send' service will remain available for £16.
Consumer rights campaigner Martyn James criticised the rise, questioning what improvements are being made to justify the increase. The Passport Office faced significant delays in 2022, with 360,000 customers waiting more than 10 weeks for their passports in the first nine months alone, according to the National Audit Office. However, some users have reported swift renewals, with one reader receiving his new passport within a week.
Separately, holidaymakers are reminded of the 'passport 10-year rule' for EU travel. Post-Brexit, EU countries will not accept passports issued more than 10 years ago, potentially affecting millions who carried over time from old passports. The government has also extended the deadline for UK airports to install new security scanners that would lift the 100ml liquid limit.
