How to renew your UK passport in 2025
In the last 20 years, Britain’s wanderlust has shown no sign of waning.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported,
“UK residents made 86.2 million visits abroad in 2023; this compares with total visits of 71.0 million in 2022”.
If you wish to travel abroad, you must renew your expired passport before you book your flight.
In the U.K., adults (16 years old or older) can:
Renew their passport: If the passport has expired or will expire soon
Replace their passport: If the passport has been stolen, damaged or lost
For an international trip, travelers must check the entry regulations of the countries they intend to visit. This should be done before flights are booked to avoid disappointment.
With post-Brexit travel requirements and updated processing costs, renewing your UK passport in 2025 requires careful planning.
When to renew your passport: timings and post-Brexit rules
The six-month rule
If travelling to countries outside the EU, it’s useful to remember the six-month rule. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months, typically calculated from the date of entry into the country – not from the departure date of your flight from the UK.
Don’t wait until the last minute to renew your passport. Although processing times are usually around 3 weeks, it’s best to apply at least a couple of months in advance, especially during peak periods like spring and summer.
Travel to the EU: post-Brexit rules
For travel to EU countries, here are the key rules that apply following Brexit:
How to check your passport’s validity
The six-month rule and EU entry requirements apply only to certain countries worldwide. To calculate your passport’s validity for your destination more accurately, we recommend checking the entry requirements listed by the UK Foreign Office.
Emergency passport renewal
We always recommend renewing your passport well in advance to ensure it is ready in time; however, there may be situations where this is not possible. The most common emergency situations include:
Loss or theft of your passport
Damage (water, wear and tear, fire, etc.)
Discovering shortly before travel that your passport has expired
Last-minute business trips
Family emergencies
For these and other similar cases, premium or fast-track services are available in the United Kingdom, although they come at a higher cost.
Image by Kit from Unsplash.
How to renew your passport in the UK: procedures and costs (2025)
Online renewal
The cost is £94.50 (standard adult passport)
The processing time is approximately 3 weeks
If you have no particular requirements or emergencies, the standard online passport renewal service is likely the most convenient option and certainly the cheapest. The renewal application process is fairly straightforward:
Visit the official GOV.UK passport renewal page
Follow the steps provided to complete the various sections of the online form
Upload a digital photo according to the specified rules
Make the payment using a debit or credit card
To renew your passport using this method, you will need a valid email address and your old passport, in addition to the items listed above.
Postal application
The cost is £110.50 (digital) or £123.00 (paper) for an adult standard passport
This includes the £16 Check & Send service fee
Some Post Offices offer the “Check and Send” service, which includes a check of your passport application, thereby reducing the chance of errors in your submission. There are two options:
Digital Check and Send: request this service at the Post Office, where staff will help you fill in your passport application.
Paper Check and Send: you can request the paper forms at the Post Office to apply for your passport.
For further details, visit the official Post Office website.
Fast track service (1 week)
The cost is £178 for a standard adult passport (£191 for the 54-page frequent traveller passport).
Appointment required.
You will receive your passport by courier within one week of your appointment.
Premium service (same day)
The cost is £222 for a standard adult passport (£235 for the 54-page frequent traveller passport).
Appointment required.
Passport can be collected 4 hours after your appointment.
Child passport renewals
Child passports have specific requirements, validity periods, and costs:
Child passports (up to age 15) are valid for 5 years
The cost is £61.50 (online) or £74 (postal)
From age 16, the same procedures as adult passports apply
Both parents must provide consent (or legal documents in the case of a single parent). Processing times are the same as for adult passports; if needed, you can apply using the Fast Track service, but the Premium service is not available.
The renewal costs for a child passport are as follows:
| Passport type | Online (UK) | Postal (UK) | 1 Week Fast Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child (under 16) – 34 pages | £61.50 | £74.00 | £145.00 |
| Child (under 16) – 54 pages | £74.50 | £87.00 | £158.00 |
From age 16, procedures and costs match adult passports: for example, the online application for a standard passport costs £94.50.
Image by Kit from Unsplash.
Frequently asked questions about UK passport renewals
How long does it take to renew a passport in the UK?
According to the official GOV.UK website, standard passport processing takes approximately 3 weeks. For faster turnaround, special procedures are available at a higher cost:
1 week fast track
1 day premium
What is the fastest way to renew an expired passport?
The quickest renewal method is the 1 day Premium service, although it comes with higher fees:
£222 for standard 34-page passports
£235 for 54-page frequent traveller passports
How much does it cost to renew a passport in the United Kingdom?
The cost for a standard passport issued online is £94.50 (£61.50 for children). For a frequent traveller passport, the cost is £107.50 (£74.50 for children).
When should I renew my passport?
We recommend beginning the renewal process at least 2-3 months before your departure, especially during peak periods before summer and school holidays.
Can I still use a passport expiring in 6 months?
It depends on the entry rules of each individual country. Please note that in countries where a passport must be valid for at least 6 months, this period is usually calculated not from the date you leave the United Kingdom, but from the date you arrive in the destination country – or in some cases, from the date you are due to leave that country.
For travel to the EU, both the date of issue and the expiry date are relevant:
the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date of travel
it must be valid for at least 3 months at the time of exit from the Schengen area
We therefore recommend checking the Foreign travel advice page for more detailed and up-to-date information.
Can I use the Premium service to renew my child’s passport?
For children under 16, the only urgent renewal option available is the Fast Track service (1 week). The Premium service (1 day) is only available for adult passports (16+).
Flight delays happen, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept them. You may be entitled to as much as £520 in compensation if you experienced a delayed, canceled or overbooked flight within the last three years.