BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has introduced an additional information alert to the Schengen Information System aimed at bolstering efforts against terrorism and organized crime. Effective from October 15, the update allows real-time sharing of data from third countries and international organizations regarding suspected terrorists and serious criminals across the EU. Member States are now authorized to input this trusted information into the system, with Europol providing support throughout the process.
This alert encompasses foreign terrorist fighters, suspects involved in serious criminal investigations, and individuals under suspicion of terrorist activities. Member States are empowered to issue an alert based on data obtained from external partners. When border guards and police officers check a person’s details against the system, they will be alerted if relevant information is available. The European Commission highlighted that this enhancement will improve law enforcement’s ability to identify more criminals and terrorists, while also facilitating cooperation among authorities.
According to Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, the strength of Europe’s security depends on the quality of information available. Managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT systems, the system handled 17.76 billion searches in 2025, reflecting an 18% increase from the previous year. At the end of that year, it stored over 94.6 million alerts, with Member States reporting nearly 365,000 hits on alerts issued by other countries.
Europol reviews intelligence from international partners
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 how external intelligence reaches officers. Prior to this, information about suspects from third countries and international organizations was mostly shared solely with Europol, which meant officers at borders or during police stops could not access it directly. The new alert system aims to deliver this information straight to them.
Europol assesses and verifies data received from external sources before recommending an alert. The decision to input this information into the system is left to each Member State’s discretion. Only Member States are authorized to create alerts, which can only involve third-country nationals. The suspected crimes must fall within Europol’s mandate, primarily concerning terrorism and other serious crimes. Europol has issued a warning that serious criminal networks still pose a significant threat across the EU.
Current alert categories remain active
The new alert type supplements existing categories in the system. Member States can continue issuing alerts for arrest warrants and refusals of entry or stay for non-EU nationals. When a match is found on any alert, the involved officers contact the issuing country through the network of national SIRENE Bureaux. These offices exchange additional information and coordinate subsequent steps among the relevant national authorities.
The upgrade is now operational across all countries connected to the system. National authorities will decide on a case-by-case basis which partner information to enter as an alert. The European Commission emphasized that this change will enable border guards and police to act on shared intelligence more swiftly. It also aims to deepen cooperation among law enforcement bodies. Officers will be able to view these new alerts during routine checks starting October 15.