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The number of Britons enquiring about Polish passports has rocketed by 10,000 per cent since the EU referendum, according to the Polish Embassy.

Brits fearing the impact of Brexit on their ability to move freely around Europe have inundated the Embassy with enquiries about citizenship status.

An Embassy spokeswoman said: “We’ve had a lot of calls and email enquiries from people enquiring about the possibilities of getting Polish passports.

“Since the referendum we’ve had 280 emails and around 700 phone calls so it’s been a big number.

“Before, we were generally getting 10 enquiries in total each month.”

Anyone born to at least one Polish parent automatically gains citizenship under Polish laws, making them eligible to apply for a passport.

Citizenship can also be claimed by people with Polish grandparents but is generally not granted to people whose only connection to the country is their spouse.

The spokeswoman added: “It’s generally British citizens who are married to Polish people and have children who would like to know how to get a Polish passport and citizenship.

“The other people have Polish relatives or Polish grandparents who are eligible and have decided to apply.”

Private companies are also advertising Polish citizenship and passports for sale across social media.

But the Polish Embassy has warned people against using companies who could be selling them fake citizenship.

The spokeswoman added: “We don’t support these kinds of companies who help to get people passports, anyone wanting to apply for Polish citizenship or passports must be eligible and apply through the official channels.”

Earlier this month, the Irish minister for foreign affairs said there had been a surge in demand for Irish passports.

Freedom of movement will still exist in Britain until the Article 50 process of the Lisbon Treaty has been completed which takes a minimum of two years.