Passport prices are going up again, and if you’ve been putting off renewing yours, you’ll want to listen up.
From April 2026, the cost of applying for or renewing a UK passport will increase across the board. The process isn’t changing, but the price is, and for families or anyone travelling regularly, it’s the kind of update that’s worth paying attention to before it catches you out.
The new passport fees come into effect in April.
The changes officially kick in on 8 April 2026, per plans outlined on the GOV.UK website. That means that any application submitted on or after that date will be charged at the new, higher rate, regardless of when you started preparing it. This creates a small window where applying earlier can still save you money. It’s not a massive difference on a single passport, but if you’ve got multiple renewals coming up, it’s the sort of thing that quickly adds up.
Adult passports will now cost over £100 online.
The standard online application for an adult passport is increasing from £94.50 to £102. It’s the first time the basic online fee has crossed the £100 mark. The change feels symbolic as much as anything. What used to feel like a routine admin cost is starting to feel more like a noticeable expense, especially when you compare it to what people were paying just a few years ago.
Children’s passport fees are going up as well.
It’s not just adults who are affected. The cost of a child’s passport is going up from £61.50 to £66.50 for online applications. For families, this is where the increase becomes more obvious. If you’re renewing several passports at once, the total cost can jump quite a bit, particularly if all of them expire around the same time.
Postal applications will cost significantly more.
Applying by post has always been the more expensive option, and that gap is widening further. Adult postal applications are rising to around £115.50, while children’s are moving up to roughly £80. For most people, there’s very little reason to go down the postal route now unless you need extra support. Online applications are not only cheaper, they’re usually faster and easier to manage as well.
Fast-track and premium services are becoming even more expensive.
If you leave things late and need a passport quickly, the cost jumps quite sharply. The one-day premium service for adults is increasing to around £239.50. That’s more than double the standard fee, which is why planning ahead makes such a difference. These services are useful in emergencies, but they’re not something you want to rely on unless you have no other choice.
The government says the increases are about covering costs.
The official explanation is that passport fees are being raised to cover the cost of processing applications, providing consular support overseas, and maintaining border systems. There’s also a broader push to make the system pay for itself rather than relying on general taxation. In simple terms, the people using the service are expected to cover more of the cost directly.
Processing times are still relatively stable.
Despite the price increases, the service itself isn’t slowing down. Most standard applications are still processed within around three weeks, provided everything is submitted correctly. That means that in most cases, you don’t actually need to pay extra for speed. As long as you apply in good time, the standard process is still quick enough for most travel plans.
Online applications remain the best option for most people.
The difference in cost between online and postal applications is now more noticeable than ever. Applying online is still the cheapest way to get a passport, and it’s also the simplest. You can upload documents, track progress, and avoid delays more easily, which is why it’s become the default choice for most applicants.
You won’t get your money back if you cancel.
Once you’ve submitted your application, the fee is non-refundable, even if you decide not to continue or realise you’ve made a mistake. That’s why it’s worth double-checking everything before you apply. With the higher fees now in place, even small errors can feel more frustrating if they cost you money.
Passport prices have been increasing steadily over time.
This isn’t a sudden one-off rise. Passport fees have gone up several times over the past few years, and this latest increase is part of that ongoing trend. It suggests that future increases are likely rather than unlikely, especially as the system continues to move towards covering its own running costs.
Leaving it too late could cost you more than just the fee.
If you wait until the last minute, you don’t just risk paying the higher standard price. You also increase the chances of needing a fast-track service, which is where costs really jump. It can also affect travel plans if there are delays or issues with your application. Sorting it early removes a lot of that pressure.
It’s worth checking your passport expiry now.
Many people don’t realise their passport is close to expiring until they start planning a trip. By then, it can already be too late to avoid higher costs or rushed applications. Checking now gives you time to act before the new fees apply, and it also means you’re not scrambling to sort it when you actually need it.
The rules around validity still catch people out.
Some countries require your passport to be valid for a certain number of months beyond your travel dates, which can lead to last-minute renewals even if your passport hasn’t technically expired. This is another reason to stay ahead of it. Renewing early can save both money and stress compared to dealing with it close to a trip.
The process itself hasn’t changed.
Even though the price is going up, the way you apply remains exactly the same. You can still apply online, by post, or through supported services if you prefer extra help. There’s no new system to learn or complicated changes to deal with. It’s simply a case of paying more for the same process that’s already in place.
The main takeaway is simple.
Passport fees are rising, but you still have a short window to avoid paying more if you act early. After April, the higher prices become the new normal. If your passport is due for renewal any time soon, it’s one of those small admin jobs that’s worth sorting now rather than leaving until it becomes urgent and more expensive.
