Brits going on holiday face new £17.50 charge from Wednesday
Brits who need to renew their passports will now pay a lot more for them thanks to a new increase in price.
Many Brits who are planning to head abroad this year will be faced with £17.50 extra in charges. That is, if they are applying to renew their passport, which many do this time of the year when they wish to travel abroad for their summer holiday. Passport charges increase from Wednesday, April 8, and will see the fee increase by up to £17.50, according to Money Saving Expert (MSE).
His Majesty's Passport Office and the Home Office revealed the planned changes back in March, revealing that the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £94.50 to £102 (an increase of £78.50) for adults and £61.50 to £66.50 (an increase of £5) for children. Meanwhile, the price of postal applications will increase from £107 to £115.50 (£8.50 increase) for adults and £74 to £80 for children, while the fee for a premium service (1-day) application made from within the UK will rise from £222 to £239.50 (£17.50 increase).
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To save money, Brits are urged to apply for their passport renewal online and to give it enough time so that they don't end up having to pay for the premium service.
Additionally, MSE writer Abby Wilson says that many Brits aren't aware that you can take your new passport photo on your phone, saving you money by avoiding photo machines in shops and pharmacies.
A Freedom of Information request made by Money Saving Expert revealed that between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025, more than 6 million people used the online service to renew their passports, while only
"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," a statement announcing the new fees reads. "The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.
"The fees contribute 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.
"Customers are advised that they should apply in good time before travelling. Apply online for a UK passport.
"In 2025, where no further information was required, 99.7% of standard applications from the UK were processed within 3 weeks."
