Alfred Mizzi, Żabbar
Expensive passports
I would like to query the charges made when applying for a new passport.
I picked up an application form from our local council and the fee for an adult (over 16 years) passport valid for 10 years was stated at €27.95 and for a minor aged 10 up to 15 years at €13.98.
A relative of mine has just applied for a new passport and is being charged €70 instead of €27.95 (adult rate). The minor rate is now €35. (see p6, Malta Passport form PDF download from the Passport Office, which I think has been introduced recently). That's well over a 100 per cent increase!
And to add insult to injury, as can be seen from the UK Passport Office website, we now have the most expensive passport fees in the EU (the list still shows the normal Malta prices shown on the application form which I picked up from the local council). The German adult fee is €59 and Luxembourg €30!
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pscerri
Mar 6th 2009, 20:50
A British Passport costs GBP72 if resident in UK (or from a UK office) , yet Eur143 if you are resident in another country and get it through the British Embassy.
Prices as per respective websites.
W.Simms
Mar 6th 2009, 18:31
Just as a matter of interest, i always thought that a valid Maltese ID is just a offical as a Maltese, British or German passport, has anyone any ideas if this is correct, i might be wrong ofcourse not sure, but now that most ID are out of date i don't know if this is the case. W.Simms
L..Galea
Mar 6th 2009, 17:45
Chris Finch Comparatively yes. Compare the wages.
Richard Weninger
Mar 6th 2009, 16:51
I must also query the validity of the fees quoted by A. Mizzi .
I just got my new ten-year British passport - standard size after paying 143 € plus postage ! These are the officials rates from the website of the British Embassy in Germany .The rates have been increased as of January and must surely be the highest in Europe . Does anyone have more to offer ?
Anna Farrugia
Mar 6th 2009, 11:59
If it's any consolation those Maltese living in South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland or Tasmania have to travel by air, land or sea and land to Sydney, Camberra or Melbourne to have their Maltese passports.
Now that's a hefty price to pay for a passport isn't it?
Oh Don't forget the accommoation, should one be staying overnight, the food..... insomma the list is never ending.
Now compare prices, if you please!!!
Chris Finch
Mar 6th 2009, 10:39
I paid 160euros for my new biometric passport from the british embassy in November. The price for the passport is clearly shown on the UK passport office website. So at 70 euros the maltese one less than half price that of the british one. So your claim to have the most expensive passport fees in Europe is not valid.
Dr Paul Sant Cassia
Mar 6th 2009, 10:28
Mr Mizzi,
UK passports cost £72 sterling - pretty much the same price for a 10 year Malta passport (70 euro). Italy 84; Belgium 71, Ireland 75 euro. The Malta passport turns out to cost 7 euro per annum, hardly a massive cost. Furthermore, new security features necessitate further costs. Of more importance is why our new identity cards have not yet been issued. These should be free and would permit you to travel throughout Europe. Half sub-Saharan Africa would pay more than 70 euro for the benefits of European citizenship, so perhaps we should not be niggardly over that privilege. Of course if you would prefer a Georgian passport, that would set you back a princely 16 euro.
Andreas Reiff
Mar 6th 2009, 10:04
I beg to differ. I just received my new German passport against the fee of EUR 72.-
I can fully understand your frustration about the price hike (justified or not), but please check the facts.