HOLS BLUNDER
Holiday warning for thousands of Brits who’ve travelled to Spain as airport admits to making major passport mistake
Plus see the advice from the Foreign Office
SPAIN is ordering police in a Lanzarote airport to stamp Brits' passports on both entry and departure.
The move comes as officials discovered that stamping has hardly been carried out since the UK left the EU.
2
Since Brexit rules were enforced, Brits don't enjoy the EU's right to free movement.
From this date, all UK passports should have been stamped upon leaving countries like Spain, as this was when the transition period for leaving the EU expired.
Anonymous sources told El Diario de Lanzarote that border control staff in César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport were "subtly and verbally" told not to stamp UK passports.
This was so that Brits could roam more freely or "make the passage of British tourists easier".
READ MORE in travel
But this was quickly reversed, with a crackdown ordering officials to stamp all third country passports, so they adhere to Schengen regulations.
Nationals from other third countries like those in Africa or Asia have reported no issues with their passport stamping upon departure.
The unnamed source also revealed that police lack the resources to stamp every tourist returning home.
They said it was particularly bad on Thursdays, when lots of flights leave for the UK.
Most read in News Travel
Cops worry that short staffing could see tourists leave Spain without a departure stamp.
But if they only have an entry stamp, it would be hard to prove their length of stay in the EU to officials.
McDonald's BANNED from owning 'Big Mac' name for burgers in the EU
This becomes an issue if they're deemed to fall foul of the 90 day rule which forces third country nationals, including UK citizens, to spend at most 90 days of a 180 day period in an EU territory.
The source also said that thousands Brits have moaned about the lack of exist stamp, worrying they'll get caught for overstaying in the EU.
The Foreign Office has advised all Brits to make sure their passports are being stamped upon exit.
However, passport stamping may soon cease to exist if the EU's Entry Exit Scheme (EES) is introduced.
The Schengen-wide policy is hoping to be put into effect in November.
It would mean third country nationals get their passports scanned electronically, a more efficient way of tackling overstayers.
Read More on The Sun
Brits would even have to have their faces scanned and fingerprints checked the first time they enter the Schengen region.
But the data will have to be renewed every three years.
What are the passport rules?
The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot has explained exactly what Brits need to know.
"Travellers used to be able to roll over up to nine unused months from their old passport onto a new one.
"But post-Brexit, anyone wanting to travel to the EU can no longer rely on those extra months.
"In order to travel to the EU, all passports must be no more than 10 years old on the day you arrive in your European destination.
"And you'll need at least three months on your passport on the day you head back to the UK.
"Figures have shown up to 100,000 holidaymakers a year face being turned away at airports if their passport is more than 10 years old.
"The 10-year rule only applies to countries in the European Union but every country may have different rules on what is accepted - some countries like South Africa, for example, insist you have at least six months left on your passport when you travel and a full clear page."
2
Topics