BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – The European Union has introduced a new information alert within the Schengen Information System aimed at enhancing efforts to combat 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 entire EU. Member States can now input this trusted information into the system, with Europol providing support during the process.
The alert encompasses foreign terrorist fighters, suspects involved in serious crime investigations, and individuals under suspicion for terrorist activities. Member States may issue an alert based on information received from external partners. When border guards and police officers conduct checks, they will see these alerts when verifying a person’s details against the system. According to the European Commission, this upgrade is designed to improve law enforcement’s ability to identify more criminals and terrorists, while also facilitating easier cooperation between authorities.
Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, stated that the security of Europe depends on the quality of the information behind it. The system is managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT systems. In 2025, eu-LISA handled 17.76 billion searches in 2025, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. By the end of that year, it maintained more than 94.6 million alerts, and member states reported nearly 365,000 hits on alerts issued by other countries.
Europol verifies external intelligence before alert issuance
The new category is based on Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted by EU lawmakers on July 6, 2022. These rules address a gap in how intelligence from outside the EU reaches law enforcement officers. Prior to this, information about suspects held by third countries and international organizations was often shared solely with Europol, making it inaccessible to officers checking individuals at borders or during police stops. The new alert system aims to deliver that information directly to officers in the field.
Europol reviews and authenticates the intelligence obtained from external partners before proposing an alert. The decision to enter this information into the system rests solely with each Member State. Only Member States are authorized to 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 issued a warning that serious criminal networks continue to pose a significant threat across the EU.
Current alert categories remain unchanged
The new alert type supplements existing categories, such as those related to arrest warrants. Member States can also issue alerts for refusals of entry or stay for non-EU nationals. When officers find a match with an alert, they contact the issuing country through the network of national SIRENE Bureaux. These offices exchange additional information and coordinate subsequent actions among the involved authorities.
The system upgrade is now operational across all connected countries. National authorities will determine on a case-by-case basis which partner information should be entered as an alert. The European Commission emphasized that this change aims to enable border guards and police officers to respond more swiftly to shared intelligence. It also seeks to strengthen cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Officers will be able to view the new alerts during routine checks starting October 15.