EU referendum: How Europe's newspapers are marking Britain's decision day

From tongue-in-cheek teasing, to passionate pleas for unity, how Europe's newspapers are marking referendum day

Bild's open letter to the UK quickly went viral (Bild)

After months of hyperbole, claim, denial and counter-claim, EU referendum polling day has finally arrived.

Whatever today's outcome is, one thing is certain- the dynamics of the European Union will never be the same again, both for Britain and the other EU countries.

Many international media outlets have been following the campaign trail, watching with bewilderment and bemusement at events unfolding in the UK.

Today, countries across the continent are watching eagerly to see how the impact of the result could reverberate into their own lives.

Brexit speculation is front page news on many major European news outlets this morning.

From making jibes about national stereotypes to eloquent last minute pleas for partnership, here’s how some of the biggest newspapers in Europe broached the topic today:

Ireland

As the only other EU country sharing a land border with the UK (via Northern Ireland), the Republic of Ireland has considerably more skin the game than other countries. However, sporting triumph over Italy takes the top spot on The Irish Times today, with 'UK voters go to the polls as EU membership hangs in the balance' nestled below.

France

Leading French paper Liberation splashes on ‘Qui est in/ Qui est out’ [Who is in/ Who is out’]? Featuring a man whose face is alternatively painted in the Union Jack or EU flag. The paper also paints the UK as “a country which is suspicious, tensing and closing in on itself, even though it has made remarkable attempts to integrate minorities and open up elites to greater diversity.”

In Le Figaro, a cartoon reads: "The European Union allows us to solve 28 problems that we never would have had on our own."

Italy

In Italy, La Repubblica carries a stern warning for the rest of the EU, describing today as ‘Europe’s longest day’. It highlights: “Junker says further concessions won’t be possible. Farage says this will be our Independence Day’.

Spain

El Pais also carries a warning that the implications of Brexit go far beyond the UK and will affect lives across Europe. Their headline reads: “Reino Unido decide hoy sobre su futuro y el de toda Europa”, “Today Britain decides its own future and that of all Europe.”

Poland

Gazeta Wyborcza leads with a similar design to Liberation, a woman bearing split face paint between the Union Jack and EU flag, below a banner reading 'Battle for Britain'.

Germany

In Germany, Bild's tongue-in-cheek open letter to the UK quickly went viral, after pleading:

"Dear Britain,

If you stay in the EU we will acknowledge the Wembley goal.

We won't make any more jokes about Prince Charles' ears.

We won't wear sun cream on the beach in solidarity with your sunburn.

We will go without our goalkeeper at the next penalty shoot out to make it exciting.

We will introduce tea time, and drink it from buckets.

We will willingly be the villain in every James Bond film.

Tick with you and immediately put our clocks back one hour.

Put through an EU directive which forbids foam on our beer.

Reserve sun loungers around the pool for you with our towels.

We will guard your Crown Jewels.

We will come to your queen's 100th birthday."

Polls opened today at 7am and will close at 10pm. 46.5 million people are eligible to vote, the largest ever eligible electorate in any UK vote on record.

The previous record was last year's general election when 46.35 million people were registered.

Results will be announced by region, with most results expected in the early hours of tomorrow morning.