New Passport Procedures

Shortly I will be needing to renew my Passport and I don’t want to have to go back to the UK.  I was wondering if anyone had successfully renewed their Passport though the new system launched in 2011 from Spain with out going back over to the UK. 

It is only fairly recently that people living O/S UK have been allowed to renew their passport in UK, previously it had to be in country where they l

lived.

My wife and I have both renewed our passports by post at different times through the consulate in Madrid using forms downloaded off the internet Both passports were returned by courier within 10days

There is a huge difference in price between a passport obtained in the UK. and one in Spain

 Yes I have noticed, it is very expensive to renew the passport here. However if the sytem works it saves a flight over to the UK.

Thanks for your comments

The cost difference is why some folks send their applications back to the UK with relations/friends (or even a courier service), and then have it returned the same way. Still cheaper than a flight,but loads cheaper than via Madrid.

(Please don't  'Shoot the messenger').

Just checked,  renewing in Spain, with Courier fee €197 (about £160)  in UK £72 plus postage.

 Just to throw the cat among the pigeons.  As we all know, in Spain everyone MUST carry their legal ID at all times.  For us Brits the ONLY legal ID we have is our original passport or a copy certified ONLY by the  British Consul.  Thus when we send off our passport, as required by the Passport  Office to renew it,  we are ‘illegally’ in Spain. 

I raised the same question when the passports were renewed through the local consulate, and the Ambassador in Madrid authorised the consulates to allow us to keep the old passport and have it cancelled at the consulate, when the we collected the new passport.

 Having worked closely with Passport Office UK in the 80’s I know there is no reason why they need the old passport when issuing a new one.

hi,

my o.h. and i renewed our passports a few months ago,

we live in spain permanently so i downloaded the forms from

the goverment website.

got photos done at a local shop then took forms to my bank

(LLOYDS INTERNATIONAL) at los alcazares and a member of the

bank signed then for no charge.

also i would like to add that the passport office will check if you give an

english address so if you live here permanently officially like we do then they

will send the forms back to you and you will have to start the process all over

again and they will keep the fee and you will have to pay again

this is something i read so dont anyone start replying and say i am in the wrong please

just trying to help out

the whole process was so easy and straightfoward

Formentera, 

                                      As I said, it was the case that if one lived outside UK then they had to renew within that country.  However, maybe about a year ago, I spoke to the British Consulate and they assured me that as from then it was permitted to make the renewal in UK.  

I had complained about the comparative cost between  renewing in Spain and in UK.

Last year I realised that as my mother was born in the Ulster I was ‘Irish’ (I was born in London) and entitled to an Irish PP.  At that time  an Irish PP was free when one was over 60.  I now have  dual nationality. I will not be renewing  my British PP when it expires.

I also found that I got personal attention when I consulted the Irish consulate, with real people and real name and on normal telephone lines  (no  premium charges)

Based purely on recent personal experience: don't use the so-called "check and send" service offered by Offex to send your passport renewal off to Madrid; find a local DHL office (you can find them via their website easily enough) - they're cheaper and more reliable. If you stick to official information and well known international service providers, you shouldn't go far wrong.

And yes, it's bloody expensive to renew a passport! 

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/passports/how-to-apply/spain

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/passports/how-to-apply/spain

 Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, I think I'll give it a go from here, but with a decent courier. Although my wife says I should just take out a Spanish passport, way much cheaper and she is shocked at how expensive it is. However I do believe that I would have to give up my UK passport to get a Spanish one and that is something I do not want to do.

My partner sent off for a new passport 2 weeks ago and although it cost about £198 (or was it euros - anyway, a lot) he has had his new one back today, couriered by DHL.  We thought about getting it posted in the UK and by-passing Madrid, but somewhere in the 'small print' online it says you can't do this, so we went for the most reliable option.  I think the cost is outrageous, but over 10 years it's not too bad...if he ever leaves Spain of course!  

Outrageous,  especially when you consider a Spanish 10 year Passport, obtainable at the nearby National Police Documentation office, for about 20 euros.

Last year I took up my right to an Irish PP, it was free last year as I was over 65, and the courier deliver was also free.
 

Well, here's a bit of good news. I know they said they would be looking into it when the passport was centralised and online but from 7 April the passport fee for customers applying for a UK passport overseas will be reduced by £45 for adults and £28.50 for children. The new fees are as follows: Adult 32 page passport £83.00 Child 32 page passport £53.00 Jumbo 48 page passport £91.00 (Child and Adult).

Having to apply for my son's passport renewal next month, this comes as a nice surprise!!   Thanks for info, mariedav! 

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/reduction-in-passport-fees-for-uk-citizens-overseas

. If you are in Spain (O/S UK) then you must do it through Passport Office in Belfast. 

See https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports