Getting your hands on a British passport will cost you 7% more from today.
The cost of the online application has jumped by £6 to £94.50.
Here, we’re going to look at how you can beat the hike…
Why has the price gone up?
Over the past two years the cost of a UK passport application has risen more than 25%.
Where is all that money going?
The Home Office insists it makes no profits, and is focused on keeping the waiting time for a British passport at around three weeks.
“The new fees will help the Home Office to continue to move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation,” the government said when it announced the rise.
Part of the cost goes towards funding passport control and border officers, while some of the money supports “consular support overseas, including lost or stolen passports”, the government says.
Could an Irish passport help you save money?
The Irish passport was recently named the most powerful in the world for perks and entry.
Because Ireland is in the EU, you skip long queues in EU countries.
You also don’t need to get yourself an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) every time you travel to the UK – the only country in the world that doesn’t have to. Read more about ETAs here.
Finally, they’re more than £30 cheaper than the British ones at €75/£62.
Who is eligible for an Irish passport other than Irish citizens?
The Department of Foreign Affairs explains: “If you or your parent were born on the island of Ireland before 2005, you are an Irish citizen. You can apply for an Irish passport without making an application for citizenship.”
From 2005 onwards, it depends:
- If you were born in Ireland to British or Irish citizen parents, you are automatically an Irish citizen. If you were born in Northern Ireland in these circumstances, you can choose to be an Irish citizen.
- If you were born in Ireland in or after 2005 and your parents aren’t British or Irish citizens, your right to an Irish passport depends on how long your parents lived in Ireland and their residency rights.
- If one of your grandparents was born on the island of Ireland, you may be eligible to claim “Irish citizenship by descent”
- If one of your parents was an Irish citizen when you were born, but you were born elsewhere, you may be able to claim citizenship under Foreign Birth Registration.
You can check if you’re eligible for an Irish passport here.
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How does the price compare?
Before the rise, the UK passport was already among the most expensive in Europe, and it retains its spot with the increase.
Italy (£97), Denmark (£100) and Switzerland (£123) cost more, while Norway (£55) and Lithuania (£43) are considerably cheaper.
