BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has introduced a new information alert within the Schengen Information System to bolster efforts against terrorism and organized crime. Effective from October 15, this update allows real-time sharing of data from third countries and international organizations on suspected terrorists and serious criminals across the EU. Member States can now input this verified information directly into the system, with Europol providing support in the process.
This alert encompasses foreign terrorist fighters, suspects involved in serious criminal investigations, and individuals suspected of terrorist activities. Member States may issue alerts based on data received from external partners. When border guards and police officers check a person against the system, they will see these alerts. The European Commission highlighted that this upgrade will improve law enforcement’s ability to identify more criminals and terrorists, while facilitating cooperation among authorities.
According to Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, Europe’s security depends on the quality of available information. Managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency for large-scale IT systems, the system conducted 17.76 billion searches in 2025, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. By year’s end, it held over 94.6 million alerts, with member states reporting nearly 365,000 hits on alerts issued by other countries.
Europol reviews external intelligence before alerting
This new alert category builds on Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted by EU lawmakers on July 6, 2022. The regulation addresses a gap in how external intelligence reaches law enforcement. Previously, information on suspects from third countries and international bodies was mainly shared with Europol, leaving border and police officers unable to access it during checks. The new alert system provides this information directly to them.
Europol verifies and analyzes external data before proposing an alert. Member States decide independently whether to input the alert into the system. Only they can create alerts, which are limited to third-country nationals. The suspected offenses must align with Europol’s mandate, which includes terrorism and other serious crimes. Europol has issued warnings that serious criminal networks remain a significant threat across the EU.
Maintaining existing alert categories
The new alert complements current categories in the system. Member States continue to issue alerts related to arrest warrants and refusals of entry or stay for non-EU nationals. When a match occurs, officers contact the issuing country via the network of national SIRENE Bureaux, which exchange additional information and coordinate subsequent actions among involved authorities.
The system upgrade is now active throughout all connected countries. Authorities will decide on a case-by-case basis which external partner information to convert into alerts. The European Commission emphasized that this change aims to allow border guards and police officers to respond more swiftly to shared intelligence, fostering closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Officers will be able to view these new alerts during routine checks starting October 15.