BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – Effective from October 15, the European Union has expanded the Schengen Information System with a new alert feature aimed at bolstering efforts against terrorism and organized crime. This update allows for real-time sharing of data from third countries and international organizations regarding suspected terrorists and serious offenders across the entire EU. Member States are now able to input this verified information directly into the system, with Europol providing support during the process.
The newly introduced alert encompasses foreign terrorist fighters, suspects involved in major criminal investigations, and individuals believed to be engaged in terrorist activities. Member States can issue alerts based on information received from external partners. When border guards and police officers check someone against the system, they will be able to see these alerts. According to the European Commission, this enhancement will facilitate law enforcement in identifying more criminals and terrorists while also streamlining cooperation among authorities.
Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that Europe’s security depends on the quality of the information it has. The system is operated by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT infrastructure. In 2025, it conducted 17.76 billion searches in 2025, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. By year’s end, it contained over 94.6 million alerts, and member states reported nearly 365,000 hits on alerts issued by other nations.
Europol evaluates external intelligence before issuing alerts
This new alert category is based on Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted by EU lawmakers on July 6, 2022. It addresses a gap in how external intelligence reaches law enforcement officers. Until now, data on suspects from third countries and international bodies was often shared solely with Europol. Officers conducting border checks or police stops could not access that information directly. The new alert system aims to make such data accessible immediately to front-line officers.
Europol reviews and validates information received from external sources before recommending an alert. A member state then independently determines whether to add it to the system. Only member states can create alerts, which may only concern third-country nationals. The suspected crimes must align with Europol’s mandate, including terrorism and other serious offenses. Europol has warned that serious criminal networks remain a significant threat throughout the EU.
Current alert categories continue unchanged
The new alert type supplements existing categories in the system. Member states can still issue alerts related to arrest warrants, as well as notifications for refusals of entry or stay for non-EU nationals. When an officer identifies a match with an alert, they contact the issuing country through the network of national SIRENE Bureaux. These offices facilitate additional information exchange and coordinate subsequent steps among involved authorities.
The upgrade has now been activated across all connected countries. National authorities will assess each case individually to determine which partner information to record as an alert. The European Commission stated that this development will enable border guards and police officers to respond more swiftly to shared intelligence. It aims to strengthen cooperation among law enforcement agencies, with officers now able to view the new alerts during routine checks starting October 15.