Brits have been told to get their passports stamped when travelling through Schengen countries after being warned to expect stricter border checks.

Rules tightened when the UK left the European Union on 1 January, with British travellers limited to stays of up to 90 days in the 26 countries of the Schengen area.

The Foreign Office has warned that Brits should ensure they have their documents in order to prevent any potential border issues.

“At border control, you may need to queue in separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens,” the FCDO said in updated advice on its website. “Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area…as a visitor.

“Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area.”

If the relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport ‘border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit’, the FCDO added.

“You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area, and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.”