BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – From October 15, police officers and border guards throughout the European Union now have access to live intelligence from external sources regarding individuals suspected of terrorism. A newly implemented alert feature within the Schengen Information System enables Member States to input trusted data received from third countries and international organizations, which concerns suspected terrorists and serious criminals. Europol assists national authorities in integrating this information into the system.
This alert capability extends to foreign terrorist fighters and persons suspected of engaging in terrorist activities, as well as suspects involved in serious criminal investigations. Member States may issue alerts based on information obtained from external partners. The European Commission stated that this adjustment will aid law enforcement officers in identifying more criminals and terrorists. It also aims to strengthen cooperation among law enforcement agencies across the EU.
Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that the security of Europe depends on the quality of information available. The database serves as a key component in broader EU counterterrorism initiatives. According to eu-LISA, authorities conducted approximately 17.7 billion searches in the system in 2025, reflecting an 18% increase compared to 2024. The agency, responsible for managing the system, reported that over 94.6 million alerts were stored at the end of 2025.
Improved intelligence sharing bridges previous gaps
Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted on July 6, 2022, provides the legal foundation for this development. It amended existing rules regulating police and judicial cooperation within the system. Prior to this change, data held by external partners regarding suspects from third countries was typically only shared with Europol, leaving officers on the ground without direct access. The new alert aims to present this information directly during checks.
Europol conducts an initial review of the information and verifies its reliability before proposing an alert. Each Member State may choose whether to create an alert after conducting its own verification process. Only national authorities can input alerts, which are limited to third-country nationals suspected of offenses falling within Europol’s mandate, such as terrorism and serious crimes associated with high-threat criminal networks operating across Europe.
Arrest warrants and entry bans remain in effect alongside the new alert system
The newly introduced alert category does not replace existing ones. Member States still have the authority to issue alerts based on arrest warrants and to record refusals of entry or stay. When a match is identified, the national SIRENE Bureau contacts the corresponding bureau in the country that issued the alert, exchanging additional information and coordinating subsequent actions.
Effective from October 15, the update applies across all countries connected to the system. Authorities now have the responsibility to determine which external partner information to convert into alerts. The European Commission highlighted that this enhancement will assist border guards and police officers in recognizing more suspects. These alerts will be visible during routine border and internal checks within the Schengen area. Europol will continue providing support to Member States in managing partner data.