The cost of obtaining or renewing a UK passport is set to increase from Thursday. In addition, British citizens travelling to EU countries are being warned about the “10-year rule” which can prevent entry to those with older passports. Previously, travellers were permitted to carry up to nine months’ worth of validity from an old passport to a new one, effectively extending the validity period beyond ten years. Since Brexit, however, this has changed, and most EU countries now require passports to be valid for at least three months after the date of departure and to have been issued less than ten years ago.
At present, online applications cost £82.50 for renewals and replacements, and £93 for paper applications; fees are higher for those applying from overseas or for urgent passports. Fees for standard online renewals will rise to £88.50 for adults and £57.50 for children, whilst postal applications will cost £100 for adults and £69 for children. Prices will increase across the board, both for new applications and passport renewals.
Passports remain free for those born before 2nd September 1929. Applications may be made online through HM Passport Office or via certain Post Offices, with digital photos required for online applications and two identical printed photos for paper applications. Renewals are usually processed within three weeks, but demand is currently high so travel plans or further delay should be taken into account.
UK citizens travelling to EU countries should consult the UK government website for entry requirements. Passports must satisfy the 10-year rule and be valid for at least three months after the planned departure date. The changes to UK passports and EU entry rules mean that older passports may need to be renewed sooner than expected in order to avoid disruption to travel arrangements
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