From 2 February 2023, the UK authorities will introduce a new price list for passport fees. The cost of obtaining a British passport will go up. 

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The fee for a standard UK online application will increase from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and £49 to £53.50 for children. In the meantime, the postal application fee will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children.

The British government explained that the higher fees are to help the Home Office move towards “a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.”

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The increased costs are also meant to contribute to “the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.”

As the Home Office stressed, it’s the first time in five years that the cost of applying for a passport will increase. It also assured that the plans are subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

It’s worth reminding of the post-Brexit rule, according to which anyone with a UK passport must follow the Schengen area requirements for trips to any EU country except Ireland. The rule also applies to the following non-EU countries: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, and Vatican City. 

Image: Unsplash

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen