A lot has changed since the coronavirus pandemic started, including the UK formally leaving the EU.
As Covid-19 measures have been relaxed across Europe, this year's summer holiday may be your first abroad for a while. Brexit means changes for UK Passport holders holidaying in the EU, as Freedom of Movement in the Schengen Zone is no longer guaranteed for British Citizens.
Schengen Zone countries include most of the EU. Popular holiday and city break destinations Spain, Portugal, Greece, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic and Belgium are among them.
Read more: Brits flying to Spain must now bring these three documents
Since Brexit was completed, UK Passport holders can visit the EU and Schengen area visa-free for 90 days out of any 180-day period. Overstayers can be punished, which is why getting your passport stamped is important, even if you use the e-gates in Spain and Portugal which accept British passports.
Get your passport stamped if you travel to the EU Schengen area as a tourist
The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office is encouraging Brits make sure their passports are stamped when they enter and leave the EU. The stamps are important because they let border staff know when you entered the EU and when you have left. If you don't get one, you could be accused of overstaying.
"Border guards use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, a border officer may presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit."
If you are stopped, you should be able to prove how long you have been in the EU, by producing evidence of your flight tickets.
There are 26 Schengen Zone countries. They are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Do I need a passport stamp if I use e-gates at airports in Portugal or Spain
Yes. Portugal and Spain have introduced electronic passport gates at international airports, which British passport holders can use. The UK Government advises passengers who use the e-gates to still get their passports stamped.
The FCO says : "You can use the staffed immigration booths or, if you are aged 18 and over, the e-gates designated for UK and some other non-EU nationals. Hand your passport for stamping to the border officer after you have passed through the e-gate."
My passport didn't get stamped, what should I do?
If you notice your passport was not stamped on entry "you can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border officer to add this date and location in your passport", the FCO says. Examples of proof include flight boarding passes and tickets.
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