How to Renew Your UK Passport From Spain

HealthPlan Spain team · Reviewed by Sean Guy, authorised Sanitas agent · 6 min read · Updated August 2026

You renew a UK passport from Spain online through the official GOV.UK service – now the only route, as in-person renewals abroad have ended. Your application is processed in the UK and couriered back securely (a courier fee applies on top of the passport fee). Allow longer than in the UK – often around six weeks or more – so renew well before your passport expires or drops below the validity other countries require.

Yes, you can renew a UK passport from Spain or anywhere abroad without travelling to the UK. You apply online or by post through His Majesty’s Passport Office, provide a digital photo and pay the fee by card. You cannot “extend” a UK passport — you renew it for a brand-new document (10 years for adults, 5 years for children). Renewals from abroad usually take longer than in the UK, so apply in good time.

Can you renew a UK passport from Spain?

If you live in Spain and your British passport is about to expire, don’t worry — you can renew it easily from abroad. In fact, this has been the case for years, and the process is now more streamlined than ever. Whether it’s a renewal or a first-time application, you won’t need to visit the UK. Everything can be done online and by post through His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO).

Below, we walk you through how to renew your adult or child passport from Spain, including timeframes, fees, documentation, and what to do if your passport has been lost or stolen.

Can You Extend a UK Passport?

No — a UK passport cannot be extended. The only way to add validity is to renew it, which replaces it with a brand-new document (10 years for adults, 5 years for children). If you have been searching how to “extend” your passport, a renewal is what you actually need, and the steps below apply. Bear in mind that many countries, including those in the EU, require a minimum amount of validity left on your passport, so it is worth renewing in good time — see our guide to passport validity rules.

How to apply online from Spain

This is the most efficient and quickest way to renew a UK passport while living overseas.

Take a digital photo: This can be done using your smartphone, at a photo booth, or by visiting a photo shop. Make sure your photo meets the UK passport photo rules.
Fill in the online application via the UK Government portal.
Pay online using a credit or debit card.
Send your old passport by post to the address provided during the application process.

You can start your application here: GOV.UK: Overseas passports

How to apply by post

If you’d prefer not to apply online, you can opt for a postal application. The steps are similar but take slightly longer — usually around 4 weeks once the documents are received in the UK.

Complete the online form and choose the “apply by post” option.
Print the completed form and make payment online.
Sign the application and send it along with your old passport.

Begin your postal application here: GOV.UK: Apply by post

You’ll need access to a printer and a payment card. You’ll be given a username and password to save and return to your application if needed.

Private cover in Spain

See a doctor or specialist privately instead of waiting your turn. Sanitas plans from €22,10 a month.

Get a price

First-time passport applications from Spain

If you are applying for your first UK passport as an adult or child, the process is similar but may require an in-person interview and additional documentation to verify your identity.

Visit the main application portal: GOV.UK: Overseas passports

More info about passport types and processes is here: GOV.UK: Passports

Passport fees when applying from Spain

Current costs for passport applications made from Spain are:

Adult (32-page) passport: £94.00 + £19.86 courier fee
Child (32-page) passport: £61.00 + £19.86 courier fee

The courier fee covers secure delivery to your address in Spain. Prices confirmed as accurate at the time of writing, but always check the official site for the most up-to-date figures.

What documents do you need?

Your current or expired adult/child passport (original — no copies)
If applying by post: two printed passport-size colour photos (45mm x 35mm) meeting official standards

Note: If applying online with a digital photo, you don’t need to send printed photographs.

Complete photo requirements: GOV.UK: Photos for passports

Full documentation list here: GOV.UK: Applying for a passport

Do you need your photos certified?

For most renewals, photo certification is not required unless your appearance has changed significantly from your last passport photo.

If that’s the case, you will need someone to certify the new photo according to HMPO guidelines.

How long does it take to receive my new passport?

Processing times vary but generally you should allow:

4 to 6 weeks for a standard renewal
Up to 8 weeks for first-time applicants

Once you receive your new passport, double-check all the details. If you find an error after six months, correcting it may count as a new application and incur full fees.

Passport advice line

If you need help during the application process:

Phone (UK): +44 (0) 300 222 0000
Hours: Mon–Fri: 8am–8pm, Sat/Sun/Public Holidays: 9am–5:30pm (UK time)

Lost or stolen passports in Spain

If your UK passport is lost or stolen in Spain and you urgently need to travel, you can apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). This allows travel through up to five countries.

You will need to report the loss to your nearest Guardia Civil or Policía Nacional station and obtain a police report before applying.

Apply for your ETD online: GOV.UK: Travel urgently from abroad without uk passport

You may also be required to attend an appointment at your nearest British consulate or embassy.

Locate the nearest British diplomatic office in Spain: GOV.UK: British embassy madrid

Documents required for an ETD

Completed online ETD application form - How to apply
Proof of travel (tickets or itinerary)
Police report (if stolen)
Payment of the £100 fee

Tip: You can make a provisional police report in English by calling 902 102 112, then collect the final version from the local police station.

Expat health insurance in Spain

If you're living in Spain, having the right health cover can give you peace of mind for visa renewals, residency applications, or just day-to-day support in your new home country.

We offer a range of private health insurance plans designed for expats and from Sanitas, part of the Bupa group — all with English-speaking support and paperwork that meets Spanish legal requirements.

Explore our range of cover options and find a plan that works for your situation.

Frequently asked questions

How do I renew my UK passport from Spain?

Apply online at GOV.UK, upload a digital photo that meets the rules, pay the passport fee plus the secure courier fee, and post your old passport when asked. Everything is handled by HM Passport Office in the UK.

How long does it take to renew a UK passport from Spain?

It usually takes around six weeks or more from abroad, and can be longer at busy times. Do not book travel that depends on the new passport until it has arrived.

How much does it cost to renew a UK passport from abroad?

You pay the standard overseas passport fee plus a courier fee (around £30.56) to return your passport securely. Fast-track options are limited from abroad, so apply early instead of paying for urgency.

Can I still renew my UK passport in person abroad?

No. Overseas UK passport renewals are now online only – the option to renew in person at a consulate is no longer available. You complete the whole process through the GOV.UK website.

How to Renew a UK Passport From Abroad (Living in Spain)