From April 10, 2025, the cost of applying for a UK passport will increase across all standard, postal, and premium application channels, reflecting a broader shift in how the Home Office funds its services through revised passport fees.
The department has confirmed that the new passport fee structure is designed to ensure that the system is primarily supported by users rather than taxpayers.
According to BirminghamLive, the rise will impact millions of UK residents and travelers, with both adult and child applicants facing higher charges. The changes affect both domestic and overseas applications, including express and one-day premium services.
Updated Passport Fees for UK Residents
The updated fees affect both adult and child passport applications submitted within the UK. For adults, the cost of a standard online application will increase from £88.50 to £94.50, while the cost for children will move from £57.50 to £61.50.
Postal applications will also rise, with adult applications going from £100 to £107 and children’s applications from £69 to £74.
For those requiring urgent services, the premium 1-day service will rise from £207.50 to £222 for adults and from £176.50 to £189 for children.
Applicants residing abroad will also see fee increases. A standard online application from overseas will cost £108 for adults (up from £101) and £70 for children (up from £65.50).
For paper-based applications processed overseas, adults will now pay £120.50, up from £112.50, and children will pay £82.50, up from £77.
Home Office Explanation of Pricing Strategy
In a public statement, the Home Office said the increases :
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.
It also emphasised that :
The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.
According to the department, 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.
Social Media Backlash and Dual Nationality Debates
The fee rise has prompted backlash on social media platforms, where users expressed frustration over rising administrative costs amid stagnant wages.
A man called Chris posted :
WHY IS EVERYTHING GOING UP EXCEPT WAGES …drives me insane.
A woman named Naya compared the change to passport costs in France, stating :
My daughter has a French passport and we are renewing for 17 euros, or £14.
That’s a joke, we’ll keep the French passport then. My other daughter has a British passport and we will go for a French one for her now, too.
These reactions reflect broader sentiments among some UK citizens who hold or are eligible for dual nationality, and are now reconsidering their primary travel documentation options.
According to government data, where no additional documentation was required, 99.7% of standard UK-based applications in 2024 were processed within three weeks. This statistic underscores a continued focus on timely passport issuance despite growing demand.
