Introduction of the EU’s European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) has been further delayed until 2025.
The system had been put back in February from next month to an unspecified date in 2024.
Delays in the development of the European Union’s new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) were blamed at the time.
Britons travelling to European countries in the Schengen zone will be required to apply online for an Etias at a cost of €7 and it will be valid for three years.
The system will be similar to the Esta visa waiver scheme, which travellers must have to enter the US.
However, the EU Etias website now says that the scheme will not start until “mid-2025”.
Some 1.4 billion people from more than 60 visa-exempt countries will be required to have a travel authorisation to enter most European countries from then.