UK to Raise Passport Application Fees From April 2026
The UK government has announced planned increases to passport application fees effective from April 8, 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. Standard online applications within the UK for adults will increase from £94.50 to £102, while children's fees will rise from £61.50 to £66.50. Postal applications will also see an increase, with adult fees going from £107 to £115.50 and child fees from £74 to £80.
The premium one-day passport application service, used for urgent requests, will rise from £222 to £239.50. Fee increases will similarly impact UK citizens applying from overseas, with online adult applications rising from £108 to £116.50 and postal paper applications from £120.50 to £130. These adjustments are likely to affect millions of applicants, influencing travel costs and planning.
The fee hike comes as travel demand is expected to remain robust, making passport processing more costly. For frequent travelers or families, the rises could add significant expenses, especially in premium sections. The government’s rationale includes offsetting service delivery costs and investing in passport issuance infrastructure.
These fee changes highlight ongoing adjustments in public service charges, which could have broader implications for UK citizens needing timely travel documentation both domestically and abroad.
