The UK government has announced that passport fees will rise significantly, with the cost of a standard adult passport exceeding £100 for the first time. Starting April 8, 2026, the online application fee for adults will increase from £94.50 to £102, while postal applications will see a jump from £107 to £115.50.
Children under 16 will also face higher fees, with the cost rising from £61.50 to £66.50 for online applications and from £74 to £80 for postal applications. Additionally, a Premium Service application made from the UK will now cost £239.50, up from £222.
For those applying from overseas, the fees will also increase. A standard online application for adults will rise from £108 to £116.50, while applications for children will increase from £70 to £75.50.
The Home Office has clarified that these new fees are necessary to help cover operational costs, stating, “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.” Importantly, the government does not profit from passport application fees.
This announcement follows a trend of increasing passport fees, which have seen rises of 7% in each of the last two years and a notable 9% increase in 2023. The upcoming changes are subject to parliamentary approval, and if confirmed, they will mark a significant shift in the cost of obtaining a passport in the UK.
As the government prepares for these changes, observers are keenly watching how this will affect the public’s willingness to apply for or renew passports, especially in light of the ongoing global travel landscape.