New Passport Rules for UK Nationals in Spain
You may remember that Cyprus expats were recently told that they need to get their passports via the UK. The British Embassy said they would tell us if the rules for Spain changed. Well… as of this coming Monday they will.
Press release: 7 May 2013
CHANGE TO PASSPORT SERVICE FOR BRITISH NATIONALS
British nationals in Spain wanting to apply for a new passport are advised of an important change in the way they will need to make applications. From Monday 13 May, all applications will need to be sent directly to the Identity & Passport Service (IPS) in Belfast in the United Kingdom, instead of the regional passport processing hub in Madrid.
All the necessary information about the new passport application process, including a new IPS overseas application form, can be found at www.gov.uk/overseas-passports.
Andy Hamilton, head of the regional passport processing centre in Madrid, says: “In real terms, all that this means is that British nationals living in Spain now need to send their applications to a different address.”
“Current passport processing times remain the same. If you are renewing your passport, you should allow at least four weeks from the date the fee is taken and all the correct documentation has been received.”
“If you are applying for the first time or you are replacing a lost or stolen passport, you should allow at least six weeks.”
The only other change is that the current passport helpline call charges are being removed. Instead of paying for a premium rate phone line, customers will now only have to pay for the cost of a call to the UK.
British nationals who lack internet access or want advice are able to call the IPS Customer Service Centre on +44 (0) 300 222 0000.
People who need to travel urgently but whose normal passport is unavailable should contact their nearest British Consulate via 902 109 356 or email info.consulate@fco.gov.uk . Your local Consulate may be able to issue an Emergency Travel Document to help you travel.
Note:
Fees charged for overseas passport applications are based on the cost of providing the service. Because the number of overseas applications is smaller and efficiency gains are harder to achieve, the issuing of all British passports is being repatriated. Once this has been completed worldwide in 2014, IPS will seek to more closely align overseas and UK passport fees.
This change also applies to British nationals living in Andorra.
The British Embassy and its network of consulates in Spain work with local and expat partner organisations to assist British nationals.
Consular enquiries – 902 109 356 (in Spain) / +34 913 342 194 (outside Spain)
British nationals who need emergency assistance outside normal office hours should call +34 902 109 356 where they will be given details on how to proceed and how to contact a duty officer if needed.
May 7, 2013 @ 11:38 pm
Thanks, for this information! Have to renew our passports before we visit our granddaughter and family in Australia this winter. :)
May 7, 2013 @ 11:40 pm
You’re very welcome! xx
May 8, 2013 @ 10:07 am
Nice of them to give us so much notice, NOT
May 8, 2013 @ 11:00 am
What DO you mean Andrew? You were given 6 whole days ;) x
May 8, 2013 @ 11:49 am
does anyone have the rules or a site to visit ref: british nationals residing in France renewing passports ???
May 8, 2013 @ 12:18 pm
Hi Lynn – going via the Embassy link in the article above (and selecting France instead of Spain)… shows that you currently still have to apply via Paris. However, if you are concerned about pending changes in France… we would recommend you speak direct to your Consulate there.
I would guess that the email address info.consulate@fco.gov.uk will work for France as well as Spain.
Good luck!
Elle x
May 8, 2013 @ 12:18 pm
I renewed mine in February, when I was on a two week visit back in the UK, it took the whole two weeks, however, my friend did the same, she went to the Post Office on the Monday and had it checked etc… and she got it back on the Friday.
May 8, 2013 @ 1:23 pm
Yes – handy if you’re going anyway. Alan did his on a trip back a few years ago… but he booked an appointment at the Passport Office and did it in one day – bit more expensive if I remember rightly. Elle x
May 8, 2013 @ 1:37 pm
Does this mean that there will no longer be the possibility of obtaining a new passport by personal attendance with an appointment at one of the uk passport offices? This is how I have previously renewed my British passport. I am resident in Spain.
May 8, 2013 @ 1:40 pm
I don’t see why that would change in any way… but email them via the email link in the article just to be sure. Elle x
May 9, 2013 @ 11:51 pm
If you eMail them you can at autoreply saying you are unlikely to get a reply. I have never felt ashamed to e British before. We are abused more by the British Consulate than the country where we have chosen to come and live – SPAIN.
May 12, 2013 @ 11:07 am
I make an appointment at Victoria,London,when passport due for update. You leave the document and then return at 15.00hrs approx.This is a good way if you have access to London. Pop into the Palace to see Liz and Phil during the wait.!!
July 13, 2014 @ 6:56 pm
I am very upset about the way the renew the passports nowaday .Before it was much easier but now in Spain it takes up to six weeks!!not counting the fact the send it by post.
Thanks to all this I have to get an emergency passport for my child and now this is my 7th week!!its incredible for a country like the Uk!!
I have paid over 150e and now I have to pay an extra of 120e!!
I love my country but this is wrong!
July 13, 2014 @ 7:25 pm
I live in Mallorca i just recently renewed my pand my husbands passport, i did it online then just sent the counter signature forms in by and photos by registered post, it took 7 weeks for my passport and 3 months for my husbands,even though they were sent away at the same time.
Good luck getting your passport there is a back log,especially as they went on strile recently
August 5, 2015 @ 9:17 pm
Have our own pad in Ten since 1994. Usually six weeks in Autumn and a further six weeks Jan Feb. Play golf and bridge and leaves us quite busy. Consult your weather predictions all the time. Enjoy your notes”