If your passport expires soon, you may want to order your new one now. The price of a new passport is set to rise from 2nd February 2023 for the first time since 2018. The proposed changes still need the approval of Parliament, but the cost of passports for all ages is likely to increase.
Online applications are due to go up from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and from £49 to £53.50 for children. If you apply via post, the cost of an adult passport will go up from £85 to £93. A child’s passport will increase from £58.50 to £64.
The Government said that the increased fees are an alternative to higher taxes, and that the passport application process does not make a profit.
The Home Office confirmed that the new prices will help them meet service expectations and contribute to consular support. The consulate service assists travellers who have lost their passports while overseas or had them stolen.
Since Brexit, most European countries require you to have at least 6 months left on your passport before entering. Remember, travel insurance won’t cover you if you can’t travel because your passport isn’t valid, so you may want to double-check your dates and consider ordering your replacement in January.