The common passport mistake that is costing Brits £1.1million a year on holiday
BRITS spent £1.1 million replacing stolen or lost passports while on holiday last year.
For holidaymakers replacing a passport abroad can be costly, but there is a simple way to avoid this, by getting the right travel insurance.
Data obtained via an FOI request to the Foreign Office shows that over 12,684 passports were reported lost or stolen in the last six months of 2024.
That’s according to new data seen by specialist travel insurance comparison site PayingTooMuch.
The cost of a replacement standard adult passport is £94.50.
And the application fee for an emergency travel document (ETD) costs £100.
However, the actual cost to the individual is likely much higher, with additional fees for expedited processing, flight rebooking, and extended accommodation.
Losing a passport, particularly while on holiday, can have a huge financial impact, but there are ways to ease this burden.
Before heading on holiday, make sure to take out travel insurance.
Money expert, Hannah Mayfield, working with specialist travel insurance comparison site PayingTooMuch, has advice for anyone who runs into passport problems this year.
She said: “Compare your travel insurance before you travel to make sure that you’re adequately covered in case you misplace your passport.
“Using a travel insurance comparison site can also help you find policies that offer comprehensive protection, including cover for lost or stolen passports.”
Hannah Mayfield added: “It’s important to note that travel insurance typically covers specific scenarios, so it’s essential to understand the terms of your policy.”
The theft of passports is most likely during the summer months.
July is when you are most likely to lose your passport or have it stolen.
The cost of renewing or replacing a passport is even more expensive now because prices to do so rose just last week.
British passport prices increased by seven per cent, with an online application jumping up by £6 to £94.50.
Applications made from overseas increased from £101 to £108 for online applications and from £112.50 to £120.50 for paper applications.
Children’s passports are also more expensive, with the standard application fee from within the UK rising from £57.50 to £61.50.
Plus, three passport checks you must make before booking your next holiday.
Passport Rules
Everything you need to know about passports
- Whether you need a passport to fly within the UK
- This is who can countersign a passport application
- How long a child’s first passport can last and cost
- A biometric passport explained
- How to renew a passport
- How to get fast-track passport renewal
- The new blue British passports explained
- Why passports come in four colours