That is a lot, I remember figures like that being bandied about for approvals in the US, but a lot of that was based on air fares, the number of days involved etc., rest time for EASA personnel having crossed so many time zones etc.... I have found the relevant web page for what EASA call 'early applications' for direct approval if there's an exit with Brexit . The
page quotes a fee based on 8 working hours at €247 an hour = €1976