BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – On October 15, the European Union introduced an additional information alert into the Schengen Information System to enhance efforts against terrorism and organized crime. This update enables the immediate sharing of data from third countries and international organizations regarding suspected terrorists and serious criminals across all EU member states. Member States can now input this trusted information directly into the system, with Europol providing support during the process.
The newly added alert pertains to foreign terrorist fighters, suspects involved in serious criminal investigations, and individuals suspected of terrorist activities. Member States have the authority to issue alerts based on data received from external partners. When border guards or police officers check a person against the system, the alert will be visible if applicable. The European Commission highlighted that this upgrade will assist law enforcement in identifying more criminals and terrorists while fostering easier cooperation among authorities.
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that the security of Europe relies heavily on the quality of available information. Managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT systems, the system conducted 17.76 billion searches in 2025, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. By the end of that year, it contained more than 94.6 million alerts, and member states reported nearly 365,000 hits on alerts issued by other countries.
Europol verifies intelligence from international partners
This new category is based on Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted by EU legislators on July 6, 2022. The regulation addresses a previous gap in how external intelligence reaches officers. Previously, information from third countries and international organizations about suspects was mainly shared with Europol, meaning officers conducting border checks or police stops could not access it directly. The new alert aims to present this information directly to them.
Europol reviews and authenticates information from external sources before recommending an alert. Member States then have the discretion to decide whether to include it in the system. Only member states are authorized to create alerts, which can only concern third-country nationals. The suspected offenses must fall within Europol’s mandate, covering terrorism and other serious crimes. Europol has also cautioned that serious criminal networks continue to pose a significant threat across the EU.
Current alert categories remain unchanged
The new alert complements existing categories within the system. Member States can still issue alerts related to arrest warrants and refusals of entry or stay for non-EU nationals. When an officer finds a match on an alert, they contact the issuing country through the network of national SIRENE Bureaux. These offices exchange additional details and coordinate next steps among involved authorities.
The update is now operational across all countries linked to the system. National authorities will evaluate each case individually to determine which partner information to input as an alert. The European Commission stated that this change will enable border guards and police officers to act more swiftly on shared intelligence, strengthening cooperation among law enforcement agencies. From October 15, officers can view the new alerts during routine checks.