BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – As of October 15, the European Union introduced a new information alert within the Schengen Information System, aiming to enhance efforts against terrorism and organized crime. This update ensures that data from third countries and international organizations regarding suspected terrorists and serious criminals is accessible across the EU in real time. Member States are now able to input this verified information directly into the system, with Europol providing support during the process.
This alert encompasses foreign terrorist fighters, suspects involved in serious crime investigations, and individuals suspected of terrorist activities. Member States may issue an alert based on intelligence received from external partners. When border guards and police officers perform checks, they will be able to see these alerts when screening individuals against the system. According to the European Commission, this enhancement will enable law enforcement to identify more criminals and terrorists more effectively, as well as facilitate collaboration among authorities.
Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that the security of Europe depends on the quality of the information it relies upon. The system is overseen by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT infrastructure. In 2025, it conducted 17.76 billion searches in 2025, reflecting an 18% increase from the previous year. By year’s end, over 94.6 million alerts had been stored, with member states reporting nearly 365,000 matches on alerts issued by other countries.
Europol evaluates intelligence supplied by external partners
This new alert category is based on Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted by EU lawmakers on July 6, 2022. The regulation addresses a gap in how outside intelligence reaches law enforcement. Previously, information about suspects from third countries and international bodies was mainly shared with Europol, but officers conducting border checks or police stops often lacked access to it. The new alert system aims to deliver this crucial data directly to those on the ground.
Europol reviews and confirms the information received before recommending an alert. Then, each Member State independently determines whether to input it into the database. Only Member States are authorized to create alerts, which can only concern third-country nationals. The suspected crimes must align with Europol’s mandate, which includes terrorism and other serious offenses. Europol has warned that serious criminal networks continue to pose a significant threat across the EU.
Previous alert categories remain active
The new alert type supplements existing categories within the system. Member States can still issue alerts related to arrest warrants, refusals of entry, or stay for non-EU nationals. When an officer detects a match, they contact the issuing country via the network of national SIRENE Bureaux. These offices exchange additional information and coordinate subsequent actions among involved authorities.
The update is now operational across all countries connected 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 to act more swiftly on shared intelligence, fostering closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Officers will be able to see these new alerts during routine checks starting from October 15.