UK passport changes come into effect from today - including new cover
British passports with the latest design - the first entirely revamped look in five years - will also reportedly be the 'most secure British passport ever produced'.
By ERIN DEBORAH WAKS, TRAVEL WRITER
Published: 16:50 GMT, 31 December 2025 | Updated: 04:30 GMT, 1 January 2026
The updated UK passport design is set to take effect from today, including a new cover and range of security features.
British passports with the latest design - the first entirely revamped look in five years - will also reportedly be the 'most secure British passport ever produced'.
They will include the latest anti-forgery technology.
Around 300 passports are now in circulation, bearing King Charles’ emblem on the front.
The four nations of the UK will be represented through images of UNESCO-protected natural landscapes on the design.
The four images will be Ben Nevis, the Lake District, Three Cliffs Bay, and the Giant’s Causeway.
Incorporating the latest anti-forgery technology, it is also the 'most secure British passport ever produced', according to the Home Office.
This includes holographic and translucent features, making passports easier to verify and even harder to forge or tamper with.
The updated UK passport design is being launched today and rolled out
The new design will be the 'most secure British passport ever produced'
The GOV.UK website said: 'This helps prevent illegal entry by people with no right to be in the UK, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change to secure Britain’s borders.'
Minister for migration and citizenship Mike Tapp said: 'The introduction of His Majesty’s Arms, iconic landscapes, and enhanced security features marks a new era in the history of the British passport.
'It also demonstrates our commitment to outstanding public service – celebrating British heritage while ensuring our passports remain among the most secure and trusted in the world for years to come.'
The updated passport is the first completely new design since 2020.
People should check their passport’s validity and apply ahead of any planned trips.
Passports issued with the Coat of Arms of Queen Elizabeth II remain valid until the expiry date.
The first modern-style British passport was introduced in 1915.
The first security feature, a watermark, was later added in 1972.
Join the debate
Does the UK need flashy passports to boost national pride or should security be the only priority?