British Expats Pay 3% More For Passports

The British and Foreign and Commonwealth office has just announced a rise in fees for the renewal or replacement or passports issued by consulates abroad.  From April 6th, the cost of this and other consular fees, will go up by the current rate of inflation in the UK – 2.9%

Having a passport issued abroad, will now cost £128 for the basic 32 page document; passports issued in the UK will remain at £77.40, so it is nearly double the cost to have one issued outside of the UK.
If you have lost a passport and need an emergency once to tide you over until the full document is issued, this will set you back £71.

The Foreign Office maintains that those who use the consular services should pay the costs, not the British Taxpayer.  This is a slight misnomer since the British Taxpayer funds the foreign consulate offices in the first place, and the issuing of documents is a very small percentage of the total cost of running and staffing officers abroad.

Contact the  Foreign and Commonwealth Office if you need to know more or need advice if your passport is lost or stolen while you are abroad.