BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has introduced a new information alert into the Schengen Information System aimed at bolstering efforts against terrorism and organized crime. Effective from October 15, this update allows for the immediate availability of data from third countries and international entities concerning suspected terrorists and serious criminals throughout the EU. Member States are now empowered to input this reliable information into the system, with Europol providing support during the process.
This alert encompasses foreign terrorist fighters, suspects involved in serious criminal investigations, and individuals under suspicion for terrorist activities. Member States may issue such an alert based on information received from external partners. When border guards or police officers perform checks against the system, they will be able to view the alert. According to the European Commission, this enhancement is expected to improve law enforcement’s ability to identify more criminals and terrorists and facilitate cooperation among authorities.
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that Europe’s security depends on the quality of information available. The system is managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT systems, which handled 17.76 billion searches in 2025, reflecting an 18% increase from the previous year. As of that year’s end, over 94.6 million alerts were stored, with Member States reporting nearly 365,000 matches with alerts issued by other countries.
Europol reviews external intelligence before alert issuance
This new category is founded on Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted by EU lawmakers on July 6, 2022. It addresses a gap in the transmission of external intelligence to law enforcement personnel. Previously, information about suspects from third countries and international organizations was mainly shared with Europol, but officers conducting border checks or police stops could not access it directly. The new alert system aims to provide that information straight to officers in the field.
Europol evaluates and confirms the data received from external sources prior to proposing an alert. Subsequently, a Member State independently determines whether to input the alert into the system. Only Member States are authorized to create alerts, which can only concern third-country nationals. The suspected crimes must fall within Europol’s jurisdiction, including terrorism and other serious offenses. Europol has cautioned that serious criminal networks continue to pose significant threats across the EU.
The current alert categories remain operational
Besides the new alert type, existing categories within the system are still available. Member States may issue alerts related to arrest warrants or refusals of entry and residence for non-EU nationals. When an officer encounters a match on an alert, they contact the country that issued it via the network of national SIRENE Bureaux. These offices facilitate the exchange of additional details and coordinate subsequent actions among the involved national authorities.
The recent upgrade is now active across all countries linked to the system. National authorities will determine on a case-by-case basis which partner information qualifies as an alert. The European Commission highlighted that this update aims to enable border guards and police officers to respond more swiftly to shared intelligence. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration among law enforcement agencies. Officers will be able to view these new alerts during routine checks starting October 15.