The new EU entry-exit system, known as EES, was due to have been introduced in November this year, having been delayed since 2021 following technical difficulties.

The introduction will mean US-style fingerprint and facial biometric checks at EU borders for UK passport holders, which will initially slow immigration processing.

The Independent reports EES has now been pushed back to 2024 because the database is not ready. The paper says the earliest checks will be introduced is May 2024 but this date has met opposition in France because of the Paris Olympics in July 2024. 

The paper quotes the Slovenian government warning EES checks will take “up to four times longer” than current border processes.

The EES is one of two separate border regimes the EU had planned to introduce this year, along with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), a €7 online visa which will be compulsory for UK visitors to the EU following Brexit.

Etias authorisation, which will be valid for three years, has also been postponed and will now be introduced from 2024 at the earliest.