What is holiday insurance?

Holiday insurance - often called travel insurance - is cover designed to help with the unexpected costs of a trip, including emergency medical treatment, cancellation, travel disruption and lost baggage. Cover varies by policy, so always check the wording.

When should I buy holiday insurance?

It is generally suggested to buy holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip, so cancellation cover is in place from the date of booking. Always check when each section of cover starts and ends.

Does holiday insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Many policies cover pre-existing medical conditions only if you declare them and the insurer agrees to provide cover. If a condition is not declared accurately, a claim may be refused. Specialist providers focus on medical travel cover.

Is the cheapest holiday insurance always the best choice?

Not necessarily. A low premium can mean lower cover limits, higher excesses or important exclusions. Compare the policy wording, not just the price.

Can I get a UK passport in a week?

Yes - book the 1-week Fast Track service on GOV.UK for £178 (adult) or £145 (child), or the 1-day Premium service for £222 (adults only). Both require an in-person appointment at a passport office.

guide

How to renew your UK passport

Q: How long does a UK passport renewal take?

HM Passport Office advises allowing up to 10 weeks, but most straightforward online renewals are completed in about 3 weeks. Apply earlier if you are travelling in spring or summer, when applications peak.

Q: What is the 6-month passport rule?

Many countries refuse entry if your passport has less than 6 months left on the date you arrive. The EU adds its own rule: the passport must be issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave. Always check the FCDO travel advice for your destination.

Last updated 12 June 2026 Reviewed by Josh T.How we wrote this

Renewing a UK passport means applying through HM Passport Office online or by post, paying the fee and sending in your old passport so it can be cancelled and returned. Most adult travellers pay £94.50 online and get the new passport back within about 3 weeks, though demand and document checks can push that longer. Below: when to renew, how to apply step by step, costs and lead times, the 6-month rule for travel, urgent options, child renewals and what to do next.

Traveller watching a paper plane rise into the sky

Key facts

Standard online fee: £94.50 adult / £61.50 child
Standard postal fee: £107 adult / £74 child
Typical processing: Around 3 weeks (allow up to 10)
1 week Fast Track: £178 adult / £145 child
Premium 1-day service: £222 adult / not available for children
Apply from age: Any age - separate child application under 16

TL;DR

Renew online at gov.uk for £94.50 (adult) or by post for £107. HM Passport Office advises allowing up to 10 weeks, though most renewals finish in around 3. Many countries need at least 6 months left on your passport on the date you enter, so check the entry rules before you book. Pay extra for the 1-week Fast Track or 1-day Premium service if you are travelling soon, and post your old passport back within 2 weeks of applying or your application will be cancelled.

Ready to compare cover?

Compare quotes by trip, age, health and destination. We may earn a commission.

Compare holiday insurance

When to renew your UK passport

Renew as soon as you know you are travelling and your passport has less than 9-10 months left on it. The 6-month rule used by most non-EU destinations, plus the European Union's entry rule that your passport must be issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and valid for at least 3 months after the day you leave, mean a passport that looks valid on paper can still be refused at the airport. If you are not travelling in the next year, you can still renew at any time - any unused months on the old passport are not carried over to the new one.

Costs and processing times

Standard online renewal is £94.50 for adults and £61.50 for children; standard postal renewal is £107 and £74. HM Passport Office says to allow up to 10 weeks, but most straightforward online renewals are completed in about 3 weeks. Applications slow down between March and August (peak travel) and any time the photo, signature or supporting documents need to be checked again. If you need it faster you can book the 1-week Fast Track service (£178 adult / £145 child) or, for adults only, the 1-day Premium service (£222) at a passport office appointment.

The 6-month rule and the EU 10-year rule

Most countries outside Europe will refuse entry if your passport has less than 6 months left on the date you arrive. For the EU, Schengen Area and most of Europe the rule is two-part: the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive, and have at least 3 months left after the day you plan to leave. Always check the specific entry requirements on the FCDO Foreign travel advice page for your destination before you book, because individual airlines often apply stricter checks than the border itself.

Urgent and same-week options

The 1-week Fast Track service guarantees a new passport within a week of your appointment at a passport office and is available for adults and children. The 1-day Premium service collects the new passport from a passport office the same day you attend (often within 4 hours) and is available to adults renewing a UK passport only. Appointments fill up quickly in the summer - book the appointment on GOV.UK before you book any travel that depends on it, and bring your old passport and supporting documents to the appointment.

Renewing a child's passport

Child passports must be applied for separately and are valid for 5 years (not 10). The same online and postal routes apply, with fees of £61.50 online and £74 by post. A countersignatory is usually required for first child passports but not for straightforward renewals. The Premium 1-day service is not available for children - use Fast Track if you need a child passport in a hurry.

After your new passport arrives

Check the personal details on the new passport carefully before you travel - HM Passport Office must be told about any errors immediately. Sign the new passport in the space provided. Your old passport is returned separately, cancelled with a hole punch; keep it because old passports are still useful proof of historical travel and identity. If you have travel booked, double-check the airline's passport requirements - some carriers require a machine-readable name match between the booking and the new passport.

Policy checklist

Medical cover limit at least £2 million (£5m+ for long-haul)
Cancellation limit covers the full cost of your trip
Excess you'd be willing to pay per claim
Activity list includes everything you've planned
Age limits and medical screening completed
Cruise / winter sports / golf extras if needed

Insurance disclaimer: This page is general guidance, not regulated financial advice. Cover, limits, excesses and exclusions vary by insurer and policy. Always read the policy wording.

Affiliate disclosure: Holiday Insured may earn a commission when you click through to a provider and buy a policy. This does not affect what you pay or which policies we describe. Read our full affiliate disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

Plain English answers to common holiday insurance questions.

Renewing online costs £94.50 for an adult and £61.50 for a child. Renewing by post costs £107 and £74. The 1-week Fast Track service is £178 (adult) or £145 (child). The 1-day Premium service - adults only - is £222.

Sources and further reading

Sources are independent UK authorities. Holiday Insured is not affiliated with any of the bodies listed. Read our editorial policy.

Written by

Holiday Insured Editorial Team

Reviewed by

Josh T.

Last updated

12 June 2026

Read our editorial policy. This content is general guidance and not regulated financial or medical advice.