BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has expanded the Schengen Information System with a new data alert aimed at enhancing efforts against terrorism and organized crime. Effective from October 15, this update allows for real-time access to information from third countries and international organizations concerning suspected terrorists and serious criminals across the entire EU. Member States are now authorized to input this reliable data into the system, with Europol providing support during the process.
This new alert encompasses foreign terrorist fighters, suspects involved in major criminal investigations, and individuals under suspicion of terrorist activities. Member States can issue alerts based on intelligence received from external sources. Border officials and police officers will be able to view these alerts when conducting identity checks against the system. According to the European Commission, this upgrade will enable law enforcement to identify more criminals and terrorists and facilitate better cooperation among authorities.
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that Europe’s security depends directly on the quality of information available. The system is operated by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT infrastructure. In 2025, it conducted 17.76 billion searches in 2025, which marked an 18% increase from the previous year. By the end of that year, the system contained over 94.6 million alerts. Member States also reported nearly 365,000 hits on alerts issued by other countries.
Europol reviews information from external sources
The new alert category is based on Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted by EU lawmakers on July 6, 2022. This regulation addresses a gap in sharing external intelligence with officers. Previously, data about suspects from third countries and international organizations was often only shared with Europol. Consequently, officers conducting border checks or police stops could not access this information directly. The purpose of the alert is to deliver this critical information straight to the officers in the field.
Europol is responsible for analyzing and verifying external intelligence before recommending an alert. Subsequently, Member States independently decide whether to input the alert into the system. Only Member States can generate these alerts, which are limited to third-country nationals. The suspected offenses must fall within Europol’s scope, including terrorism and other serious crimes. The agency has warned that serious criminal networks continue to pose significant threats throughout the EU.
Existing alert types continue to operate
This new alert function complements the existing categories within the system. Member States may still issue alerts related to arrest warrants or refusals of entry and residence for non-EU nationals. When a match is found, officers contact the issuing country via the network of national SIRENE Bureaux. These offices exchange additional information and coordinate subsequent steps among involved authorities.
The upgrade is now operational across all countries linked to the system. National authorities will determine on a case-by-case basis which external partner information to record as an alert. The European Commission stated that this change aims to enable border guards and police officers to act more swiftly on shared intelligence. It also seeks to strengthen cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Officers will be able to view the new alerts during routine checks starting October 15.