BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – European Union police forces and border security personnel now have immediate access to intelligence from external partners regarding terrorist suspects. A recent update to the Schengen Information System, which became effective on October 15, enables Member States to input trusted data received from third countries and international organizations. These data sets pertain to suspected terrorists and serious criminals. Europol assists national agencies in integrating this information into the platform.
This new alert capability encompasses foreign terrorist fighters and individuals under suspicion of engaging in terrorist acts. It is also applicable to suspects involved in serious criminal investigations. Member States have the authority to issue these alerts based on information obtained from external partners. According to the European Commission, this enhancement will enable law enforcement to identify more criminals and terrorists, fostering improved cooperation among authorities across the EU.
Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that the security of Europe depends heavily on the quality of available information. The system serves as a key component in the EU’s broader counterterrorism initiatives. Data from eu-LISA indicate that around 17.7 billion searches were conducted within the system in 2025, representing an 18% increase over 2024. The agency responsible for managing the platform reported that more than 94.6 million alerts were stored by the end of 2025.
Closing the intelligence gap with partner data
Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted on July 6, 2022, provides the legal foundation for this update. It amended existing rules regarding police and judicial cooperation in utilizing the system. Previously, information concerning third-country suspects was primarily shared with Europol, leaving ground officers without direct access during checks. The recent alert addition aims to bring that information directly to officers during routine inspections.
Europol conducts initial analysis to verify the credibility of the information before recommending the issuance of an alert. Each Member State independently determines whether to activate an alert after completing its own verification process. Only national authorities are authorized to input alert information, which is limited to third-country nationals suspected of offenses aligned with Europol’s mandate—such as terrorism and serious crimes associated with high-threat criminal networks operating within Europe.
Maintaining alerts for arrest warrants and entry restrictions
This new classification does not replace existing alerts related to arrest warrants or entry bans. Member States continue to issue alerts based on arrest warrants and refusals of entry or stay. When an officer encounters a potential match, the national SIRENE Bureau contacts the corresponding bureau in the country that issued the alert, sharing additional details and coordinating subsequent actions.
Effective October 15, this update applies across all countries linked to the system. National authorities will now decide which external partner information should be converted into alerts. The European Commission anticipates this will enhance border guards’ and police officers’ ability to recognize more suspects during routine border checks and within the Schengen zone. Europol remains committed to supporting Member States in managing partner data efficiently.