The UK passport has recently been deemed as one of the least cost-effective passports in Europe, according to new research evaluating global passport value. The findings reveal a decline in value for money following a significant 7% price hike in April, which pushed the cost of a 10-year passport from £82.50 (INR 8,733) to £88.50 (INR 9,368).
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This increase has contributed to the UK’s drop from 31st to 35th place in the Passport Value Index, which assesses 131 passports worldwide based on visa-free access, cost, and validity period.
Research conducted by digital PR agency Tank combined data from the Henley Passport Index with passport pricing and validity to compile its rankings. The UK passport, valid for 10 years and granting visa-free access to 192 countries, now costs an average of £8.85 (INR 936) per year or 2.68% of an average monthly salary.
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Comparatively, other European countries offer passports at significantly lower prices. Spain, for example, charges £25.80 (INR 2730) for a 10-year passport, providing access to 194 countries—£62.70 (INR 6636) less than the UK.
Germany offers a passport for £60.21 (INR 6373) with access to the same number of countries, while a French passport costs £73.97 (INR 7830) and an Irish passport £64.51 (INR 6829), both granting access to 194 and 193 countries, respectively.
These countries not only offer passports at lower price points but also provide access to one or two additional visa-free countries for holidaymakers. This discrepancy highlights the UK passport’s reduced value proposition compared to its European counterparts.
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Among the 131 passports assessed, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerges as offering the best value, with a 10-year passport priced at £10.82 (INR 1145). This passport allows UAE citizens to travel visa-free to 184 countries, underscoring its affordability and broad accessibility compared to higher-priced alternatives.
Maxine McCreadie, a personal finance expert at UK Debt Expert, expressed concerns over the rising cost of passports amidst increasing living expenses. With over half of Britons planning foreign holidays this year, the expense of passports combined with a 10% rise in holiday prices may deter travel plans for many households.
In short, the recent increase in the UK passport’s price has positioned it as one of the costliest options in Europe, especially when compared to countries offering greater visa-free access at significantly lower costs.
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