BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has introduced an updated information alert within the Schengen Information System aimed at bolstering efforts to combat terrorism and serious organised crime. Effective from October 15, this update facilitates the real-time sharing of data from third countries and international organisations concerning suspected terrorists and major criminals across all EU member states. Member States are now able to input this reliable information into the system, with Europol providing support throughout this process.
The newly added alert category encompasses foreign terrorist fighters, individuals under investigation for serious crimes, and those suspected of terrorist activities. Member States can issue an alert based on intelligence received from external partners, enabling border guards and police officers to view such alerts when conducting identity checks against the system. The European Commission highlighted that this enhancement will enable officers to identify more criminals and terrorists effectively, while also facilitating improved cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that Europe’s security is only as robust as the information that underpins it. The system is managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT systems, which in 2025 conducted 17.76 billion searches in 2025, reflecting an 18% increase from the previous year. By the end of that year, the system contained over 94.6 million alerts, and member states reported nearly 365,000 matches to alerts issued by other countries.
Europol reviews external intelligence before issuing alerts
The new alert category is founded on Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted by EU lawmakers on July 6, 2022, which addresses a previously existing gap in how intelligence from outside the EU reaches law enforcement officers. Until now, information about suspects from third countries and international organisations was often shared solely with Europol, meaning officers conducting border or police checks could not access it directly. The revised system aims to provide frontline officers with immediate access to this crucial data by allowing the direct entry of alerts.
Before proposing an alert, Europol evaluates and verifies the information received from external partners, after which a member state has the discretion to decide whether to input the alert into the system. Only member states are authorised to generate alerts, which can concern only third-country nationals. The suspected offences must align with Europol’s mandate, which includes terrorism and other serious crimes. Europol also issued a warning that serious criminal networks continue to pose a significant threat throughout the EU.
Current alert categories remain valid alongside new ones
The recent update adds a new alert category to the existing options available within the system, which already includes alerts linked to arrest warrants and refusals of entry or stay for non-EU nationals. When officers encounter a potential match on any alert, they contact the issuing country through the network of national SIRENE Bureaux, which facilitates the exchange of additional information and coordinates subsequent steps among the involved authorities.
Now operational across all countries connected to the system, the upgrade allows national authorities to decide on a case-by-case basis which partner information warrants entering as an alert. The European Commission stated that this update will enable border guards and police officers to respond more swiftly to shared intelligence and promotes deeper cooperation among law enforcement agencies. From October 15, officers can view these new alerts during routine checks, strengthening the EU’s collective security measures.