The European Union’s landmark new Entry and Exit System (EES) that was supposed to be introduced into airports earlier this month has been delayed again.

After being forced to scrap the initial rollout date of November 10, Brussels has now decided to go for a “phased introduction”.

Member states have not been able to ready themselves in time for the introduction of the new system, which will see British tourists and visitors from other non-EU states registered automatically whenever they pass through the bloc’s external border.

The system is supposed to register the visitor’s name, travel document, fingerprints and facial images, and the date and place of entry and exit.

The EES will make it much harder for Brits that have not become EU residents to stay beyond the 90-day limit currently in place.

As it stands, non-EU resident Brits can only spend 180 days in the bloc, in two batches of 90 days.

After a meeting of the EU’s interior ministers on October 10 2024, it was decided that the November 10 start date would be dispensed with.

The European Union website now simply states that EES will go “live” in 2025, however it does not specify when.

The UK has advised travellers that the rollout of the scheme may impact journey times initially.

“If you are flying to a country in the Schengen area, you may experience longer queue times when you arrive at your destination”, the gov.uk website says

It adds: “At some ports and international stations (Dover, Eurotunnel and St Pancras), there may be increased wait times while EES registration is completed before passengers leave the UK. ​If you are travelling through one of these stations, you should check with your travel operator to find out whether EES will affect your journey.

“Your digital record is valid for 3 years. If you enter the Schengen area again during this time, you will only need to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when you enter and exit.”