The Home Office has announced that passport application fees will rise on the 8th April 2026, with the cost of securing a new passport or renewing an old one increasing by up to £17.50, depending on the type of application you make.
While the government states that the fee hikes will help the Home Office cover its costs and reduce reliance on general taxation, it adds another expense for holidaymakers planning their summer getaways. However, there are still ways to keep costs down if you need to update your travel documents.
How much are passport fees increasing by?
From 8th April 2026, the cost of various passport applications will rise. The government has confirmed the following changes for applications made from within the UK:
- Standard online applications - The fee will increase from £94.50 to £102 for adults, and from £61.50 to £66.50 for children (under 16s).
- Standard postal applications - The fee will increase from £107 to £115.50 for adults, and from £74 to £80 for children.
- Premium Service (1 day) - The cost of a fast-tracked application will rise from £222 to £239.50 for adults.
- Overseas applications - Standard online applications for adults living abroad will rise from £108 to £116.50, while children's applications will jump from £70 to £75.50. Overseas standard paper applications will also rise, to £130 for adults and £89 for children.
The Post Office offers a 'Check & Send service' which checks your application is correct before sending it. This incurs an extra fee of £16 on top of the standard online or postal passport application cost, and this fee is not increasing.
Why are passport fees going up?
The government has stated that it does not profit from passport application fees. Instead, the fees contribute directly to the cost of processing applications and processing British citizens at UK borders. The funds also help provide consular support overseas, which includes assisting travellers with lost or stolen passports. By raising fees, the Home Office aims to move towards a system that funds itself through those who use it, rather than relying on general taxation.
3 ways to save money on your passport application
If your passport is nearing its expiry date or if you have run out of empty pages, you may be able to beat the price hike. Here are some simple ways to keep your application costs to a minimum:
1. Apply online rather than by post
Applying for a passport online is the cheapest method. Even after the April price rise, an online adult application is significantly cheaper (at £102) than the £115.50 charged for a paper application.
2. Take your own passport photo
You do not need to spend extra money at a photo booth or using a professional photographer. You can take a compliant photo using your smartphone. Ensure the photo is in focus, taken against a plain, light background, and includes your head, shoulders, and upper body. Make sure there are no other people or objects in the frame, and avoid editing the image yourself, as it will be cropped automatically during the online application process.
3. Time your renewal carefully
A standard adult passport is valid for 10 years, which currently works out at around 79p per month of ownership. It is therefore worth calculating whether renewing early to beat the April fee increase makes financial sense.
For example, if you have six months left on your passport, renewing now means giving up about £4.74 of its remaining value. However, you could save around £7.50 by avoiding the upcoming fee hikes, resulting in a net gain. Conversely, if you still have a year or more remaining, it is usually more cost-effective to wait.
Keep in mind that you can use your child passport until it expires, even if you are over 18.
What should you do next?
If you are planning to travel this year, check your passport's expiry date and the entry requirements of your destination as soon as possible. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least three to six months after your planned date of departure. Applying well in advance of your trip and ahead of the 8th April deadline is the most effective way to secure the current, cheaper rates.
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