How much does renewing a UK passport cost and how long does the process take?

Millions of Brits will now have to pay £102 to renew their UK passport.

Prices went up by 8% in April, which makes UK passport renewal costs some of the most expensive in Europe. In comparison, French passports cost €86 (or £73), while in Spain, it’s just €30 (or £26).

An out-of-date passport, or not having enough time left on your passport, could leave you grounded, and a last-minute replacement can cost as much as £240. So it’s worth checking whether you’re covered for the duration of your holiday.

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Moreover, new Home Office rules mean that British dual citizens travelling to the UK may not be able to enter the country with a foreign passport – unless they have a crucial paid document in hand.

How much does it cost to renew a UK passport?

The cost of renewing a UK passport online is £102 for an adult (16+), and £66.50 for a child.

This does not include additional expenses you may face, such as the cost of a passport photo or postage for documents.

This rise means that UK passport renewal is now more than seven times more expensive than renewing a UK driving licence, which costs £14.

Here is a breakdown of the passport renewal costs now.

It costs more to apply for a UK passport from abroad, or if you need a passport urgently.

How to renew a UK passport

You can renew your UK passport online or by going to a Post Office with a Check and Send service. To do this, you will need your old passport and any valid passports from a different country.

If you’re filling out an online application, you will need to upload a digital photo. For paper applications, you need two recent (identical) printed photos of yourself. You can pay by either debit or credit card, or by a cheque to HM Passport Office.

The rules are slightly different if you are replacing a lost, stolen or damaged passport, or if you are getting a passport for your child.

How long does UK passport renewal take?

You will typically receive your passport within three weeks, but it can take longer during busy periods, if you are applying from another country or if you need to be interviewed.

If you need a passport urgently, you can pay and book an appointment at a passport office up to three weeks in advance. There are two types of urgent services available:

• 1 day premium service: £239.50 (only available for adults)
• 1 week fast track service: £192 for an adult, and £156.50 for a child.

If you need a UK passport urgently for medical treatment, care or government business, call the Passport Adviceline.

You can’t apply for an urgent service if it’s your first adult passport or if you live outside the UK. If the latter is the case, then you can apply for an emergency travel document instead, which costs £125.

For more information, check the HM Passport Office website, or call the helpline at 0300 222 0000 between 8am-8pm GMT Monday to Friday.

How to pay for your UK passport

Depending on how you apply, you can either pay by using a debit or credit card, by cash, or by cheque or postal order. We have the details below:

Source: GOV.UK

What to do if you lose your passport abroad

In the event that you lose your passport in a foreign country, the first thing you should do is report it missing on the UK government website. You can then apply for an emergency travel document.

Hannah Mayfield, money expert at price comparison site PayingTooMuch, says: “Travel insurance can help make sure you're not out of pocket if anything unexpected happens on your holiday. It's important to note that travel insurance typically covers specific scenarios, so it's essential to understand the terms of your policy.

“A comprehensive travel insurance policy and potentially the additional costs of needing to stay for longer or changing your return dates, ensuring that an unexpected mishap doesn’t turn into a costly ordeal.”

Read more on whether travel insurance is worth getting and some activities that may not be covered. We also look at the best cards for travel abroad in a separate guide.

What are the UK passport renewal rules for EU travel?

Some British holidaymakers have recently been caught out by new rules when travelling in the EU.

Under the new Entry/Exit system (EES), Brits and other non-EU citizens will now need to provide fingerprints, facial scans and other relevant documents when arriving in Schengen area countries.

The new system is to make sure no one overstays – you’re only permitted to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a six-month period. Before Brexit, you could stay for as long as you wished.

You can check the GOV.UK website for more information about travelling to the EU and the Schengen area, and entry requirements for each country.

Do dual nationals need to apply for a Certificate of Entitlement or UK passport renewal?

Before February 2026, British and Irish citizens with dual nationality in certain countries could enter the UK using their foreign passports.

However, that’s not the case anymore. New Home Office rules mean dual citizens will not be able to travel to Britain if they don’t have a Certificate of Entitlement alongside their foreign passport.

The Certificate of Entitlement costs £589, and you can apply online. You’ll get a decision within eight weeks of your application.

The rules don’t affect dual nationality Brits who have their UK passport, but you need to make sure that your passport is valid to use for travel.