Have citizenship fees increased in 2026?

Citizenship fees are reviewed annually alongside all immigration fees. Any changes are announced through the immigration fees order, typically published in the spring. Check GOV.UK for the most current fee schedule.

Will fees continue to rise?

Historically, immigration fees have increased regularly. While future changes depend on government policy, it is reasonable to budget for potential increases if you plan to apply in the future. Applying sooner rather than later can avoid paying a higher fee.

Is there financial help available?

Yes. Fee waivers are available for applicants who cannot afford the fee. You must demonstrate that paying would leave you unable to meet essential living costs. The fee waiver application is free and submitted before the main application.

Citizenship Fee Increases 2026: What Has Changed

Q: Why are citizenship fees so high?

The UK government sets citizenship fees above the administrative cost of processing. The excess is used to fund the wider immigration system. This policy has been criticised, particularly for child registration fees, which have been the subject of legal challenges.

British citizenship fees are reviewed annually. The current adult naturalisation fee is £1,344. Fees have risen significantly over the past decade. This guide explains the current fees, recent changes, and options if you cannot afford to pay.

Current Citizenship Fees

As of 2026, the key citizenship fees are:

Adult naturalisation: £1,344 (includes ceremony fee)
Child registration: Check GOV.UK for the current rate
Renunciation of citizenship: £372

For a complete fee breakdown, see our citizenship costs guide.

How Fees Have Changed

Immigration fees have increased significantly over the past decade. For context, the adult naturalisation fee was around £200 in 2005. The fee has increased roughly 7-fold in 20 years, far outpacing inflation.

Fee changes are announced through the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations, typically published alongside the annual budget or immigration fees order. The Home Office provides advance notice of changes on GOV.UK.

Why Fees Are High

The UK government sets immigration fees above the administrative cost of processing. This is an explicit policy: fees include a "migration and borders funding" element that helps fund the wider immigration system.

This policy has been controversial. In particular, child registration fees have been challenged in court. In the 2021 case of PRCBC v Secretary of State, the Supreme Court ruled that the fee must be assessed against the best interests of the child. This has led to the availability of fee waivers for children.

Planning for Fee Increases

If you are planning to apply for citizenship in the future:

Apply when eligible: Do not delay unnecessarily. Fees tend to increase, so applying sooner saves money.
Budget for multiple applications: If applying as a family, the total can be significant. Start saving early.
Check for fee waivers: If you are in financial hardship, apply for a waiver before submitting your application.
Monitor GOV.UK: Fee changes are announced in advance. Check periodically so you are not caught off guard.

Fee Waivers

Fee waivers are available for citizenship applications where the applicant cannot afford the fee. To qualify:

You must demonstrate that paying the fee would leave you unable to meet essential living costs
Provide evidence of your financial circumstances (bank statements, benefit letters, etc.)
Submit the fee waiver application before the main citizenship application

For full details, see our fee waiver guide.

Related guides: