According to a statement from HM Passport Office and the Home Office: “The government will introduce new passport fees for all applications on 2 February 2023, the first time in 5 years that the cost of applying for a passport has increased.

The proposals, which are subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, will include the following:

- The fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and £49 to £53.50 for children

- Postal applications will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children

- Priority service fees are being aligned so all customers will pay the same”

The statement did not however include any information relating to prices for passport fees from overseas applicants.

The Portugal News contacted the British Home Office who confirmed the following price increases, if approved, from 2 February for overseas applications, which have always been more expensive than applications from the UK.

Overseas Current From 2 February (if approved)
Adult online £86 £94
Adult paper £95.50 £104.50
Child online £56 £61
Child paper £65.50 £71.50

The Home Office stated that: “The new fees will help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.

“The fees will also 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. The increase will also help enable the government to continue improving its services.

“The new fees include those newly applying or renewing their passport”.

Author

Originally from the UK, Daisy has been living and working in Portugal for more than 20 years. She has worked in PR, marketing and journalism, and has been the editor of The Portugal News since 2019. Jornalista 7920

Daisy Sampson