People born on or before 2 September 1929 are entitled to a free British passport under a long-running government concession. The exemption still applies despite passport fees rising across the UK in April. Millions of Britons are preparing for summer travel as passport validity rules continue to affect journeys to Europe following Brexit. For many travellers, renewing a passport has become more expensive after the Home Office increased application charges last month.
According to GOV.UK, the cost of a standard adult online passport application within the UK rose from £94.50 to £102 on 8 April 2026. Postal applications and child passport fees also increased, alongside charges for overseas applications and premium processing services.
Yet one group remains exempt from standard passport fees altogether. British nationals born on or before 2 September 1929 can still apply for or renew a standard passport free of charge through the Government’s concessionary passport scheme.
Free Passports Remain Available for Britons Born Before September 1929
The concession was introduced by the British Government in May 2004 as part of measures recognising the contribution made by British nationals during the war years. From October that year, eligible applicants were offered free 10-year passports. According to GOV.UK, anyone applying under the scheme must hold British nationality at the time of application. This includes people who became British citizens through naturalisation or registration.
The waiver applies to standard 34-page passports and also covers secure delivery fees for returning passports and supporting documents within the UK or overseas. Eligible applicants can also use the Post Office Check and Send service without charge.
The Government website states that people born on or before 2 September 1929 “can get or renew a British passport for free”. It also notes that applicants who mistakenly pay the Post Office Check and Send fee can request a refund. The scheme remains in place despite the fact that anyone qualifying today would now be at least 96 years old.
Passport Fees Increased for Most Applicants in April
The Home Office raised passport prices earlier this year across several categories. According to the Government’s published fee schedule, an adult standard online application now costs £102, while a paper application costs £115.50.
Child passport fees also increased, with standard online applications rising to £66.50. Frequent traveller passports containing 54 pages now cost £116 for adults applying online and £80.50 for children.
Urgent services continue to carry additional charges. The Government states that applicants using Premium or Fast Track services must still pay the service-level fee even if they qualify for the concessionary passport scheme.
The Home Office said the increases were intended to support a passport system funded more directly by users rather than through general taxation. According to reporting published by the Express, the department said the changes would “help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it”.
The fee changes come as British travellers continue to navigate post-Brexit passport rules for entry into European Union countries. UK passport holders travelling to the EU must generally ensure their passport was issued less than 10 years before arrival and remains valid for at least three months after their planned departure date.
