Holiday warning for Brits heading to Portugal this summer

BRITS heading to Portugal this summer are being warned to check their passports when they leave the country.

Portugal recently confirmed that UK travellers will be able to use their e-gates when entering and leaving the country.

This is the first EU country to allow the UK to do this since leaving the EU, with the gates a much faster option and similar to ones in the UK.

However, the UK Foreign Office has warned holidaymakers to be aware that they will still need to have their passports stamped when leaving the country, or face problems later on.

The Foreign Office website states: “E-gates are in operation at Lisbon, Faro, Porto and Funchal (Madeira) airports for use by British and some other non-EU passport holders.

“Check your passport is stamped by the border officer when you enter and exit Portugal as a visitor.

“If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport or visible to a border officer on the computer system, a border officer will may presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.”

Passports much be stamped to show you are abiding by the new 90-day visa free travel rules.

If you don’t get it stamped, you could find yourself being banned from entering the country again.

Last year, Brit Linda was stopped from entering Spain due to her passport not having a Spanish exit stamp from a previous trip.

When she tried to visit again in September, she was stopped from travelling as she was seen as an “overstayer”.

This was despite her having proof of boarding passes and banking activity in the UK.

You should also check your passport dates before travelling as there are new rules there too.

It must also be no more than ten years since it was issued and you’ll need a minimum of three or six months to gain entry into many destinations.

Brits have been warned of the three essential things to check on your passport immediately, to reduce likelihood of a ruined holiday.

Here is when you need to renew your passport by if you need it in time for the summer holidays.