The UK government has announced a significant increase in passport fees, set to take effect on April 8, 2026. For the first time, the cost of a standard adult passport will exceed £100, rising to £102 for online applications, up from £94.50.
Children’s passports will also see a price hike, with fees for those under 16 increasing from £61.50 to £66.50. Postal applications for adults will rise from £107 to £115.50, while children’s postal applications will increase from £74 to £80.
Additionally, a Premium Service application made from the UK will now cost £239.50, up from £222. For those applying from overseas, the standard online application fee for adults will rise to £116.50, an increase from £108, while children’s applications will cost £75.50, up from £70.
The Home Office has stated, “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.” It is important to note that the government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.
This fee increase follows a pattern of rising costs, with passport fees having increased by 7% in each of the last two years and by 9% in 2023. The new fees are subject to parliamentary approval.
Observers expect that these changes will help the Home Office manage its operational costs more effectively, but details remain unconfirmed.