Renewing a British Passport in Spain
If you need to renew or change your passport you can do this during your next visit to UK or here in Spain.
Applying for your new passport when visiting the UK
You can apply for a new person during your next visit to the UK
You cannot email or post an application to the Passport Office in advance instead make an appointment at your local Passport Office, and provide an address where the passport can be posted to in the UK (you will need to sign for it in person)
Fast track services for one week or same day services are available
Contact the 24-hour Passport Adviceline 0870 521 0410 to make an appointment or for any enquiries about obtaining your passport in the UK
Applying for a passport if you live in Spain
The British Consulate-General in Madrid issues full 10-year passports for adults and 5-year passports for under 16s. The Consulate usually process passport applications within 10 working days and there are no fast track or premium services. The only exception is in specific compassionate circumstances which includes death, accident or serious injury, and proof (such as a doctors letter) is required.
You can submit your passport application by registered post, courier service or in person at the Madrid office. New passports and your original documents will be returned by courier service (Bpack couriers) and the consulate advises providing an alternative address if you live in an area which is not easily accessible. Passport and documentation cannot be sent to PO Box Numbers.
Alternatively you can pick up your passport from the office in person. The office in Madrid is open 8:30 13:30 Monday to Friday for submitting applications and collecting passports and documentation. If you have arranged for someone else to collect your passport they will need the receipt issued, and written and signed authorisation.
Contact the Consulate helpline on 807 42 90 26 from anywhere in Spain for enquiries about obtaining a passport in Spain. The helpline is open from 09:00 - 17:30 and calls cost 1.16 per minute.
What documents are required?
A completed application form either C1 for adults and/or C2 for under-16s. The forms and guidance can be downloaded from the British consulate website
You must sign well within the signature box on the form and make sure that the form is countersigned (by someone who has known you for at least 2 years, is not related, and is from an approved list of professions)
You will need 2 passport size photos that meet the Passport Photo Standards - one of which is counter-signed. The Consulate website has details regarding the standards required, a list of commercial photographers and the guidance for photographers in Spanish. Alternatively you can use the designated passport booths at the Consulate offices in Madrid and Barcelona
Originals of any supporting documents required will vary depending on your circumstances and what you are applying for. If you are just renewing an existing passport only your old passport is required in addition to the application form and photos - see the Consulate website for the specific documentation you need to include
Fees - renewal of a 32-page adult passport is currently 170 (£ 119) and 109 (£76) for under-16s and the courier charge is 11. Fees are payable in Euros only and applications submitted by post or courier can only be paid for by Mastercard or Visa credit and debit cards
British Embassy Offices in Spain
British Consulate General Barcelona
Avda Diagonal 477 - 13
08036 Barcelona
UK Passport Service Iberia
British Consulate-General Madrid
Paseo de Recoletos, 7/9
28004 Madrid
More information is available at the British Embassy website .
Lost or stolen passports
If this takes place overseas report the incident to the local police as soon as possible and obtain a police report (denuncia if in Spain). Immediately inform the Consulate by completing the LSO1 and faxing to their office (can be downloaded from the website) along with a copy of the police report. The Consulate will then cancel your passport
When applying to replace the passport you will need to include a copy of the police report with your application
A new British passport is only issued by the Consulate office after extensive checks have been carried out to verify the identity of the holder. As a result it can take longer than the usual 10 working days to process
If you need to travel home immediately it is possible to obtain an Emergency Passport. - this is only valid for a one-way trip to the UK. The Emergency Passport is available from your nearest Consulate office
You will need to take the completed LSO1 form, either the C1 or C2 application form, the police report plus two passport size photos (another form of photo id is also useful)
Contact the Consulate helpline on 807 42 90 26 from anywhere in Spain for enquiries about lost or stolen passports. The helpline is open from 09:00 - 17:30 and calls cost 1.16 per minute.
