BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – In a move to bolster security measures across the continent, the European Union has expanded the Schengen Information System with a new information alert category aimed at combating terrorism and organized crime. This update became operational on October 15, allowing real-time sharing of data from third countries and international organizations concerning suspected terrorists and serious offenders throughout the EU. Member States now have the ability to input this verified information directly into the system, with Europol providing support during the process.
The newly introduced alert encompasses foreign terrorist fighters, individuals under investigation for grave crimes, and those suspected of engaging in terrorist acts. Member States are authorized to issue alerts based on intelligence received from external partners. When border officials and police officers conduct checks, these alerts will be visible during their review. According to the European Commission, this enhancement will improve officers’ capacity to identify criminals and terrorists and facilitate smoother cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that Europe’s security depends on the quality of its information. Managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT systems, the system recorded 17.76 billion searches in 2025, reflecting an 18% increase compared to the previous year. By the end of that year, over 94.6 million alerts had been stored, with member states reporting nearly 365,000 matches on alerts issued by other countries.
Europol verifies intelligence from external sources
The new alert category is based on Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted by EU lawmakers on July 6, 2022. This regulation addresses the previous gap in how external intelligence reached frontline officers. Previously, information from third countries and international organizations was often shared solely with Europol, leaving officers at borders or during police stops unable to access it directly. The updated alert system aims to bridge this gap by delivering relevant data straight to those involved in the checks.
Europol reviews and validates information from external partners before recommending an alert. Afterwards, a Member State can choose whether to record it in the system. Only member states are authorized to generate alerts, which may pertain exclusively to third-country nationals. The suspected crimes must align with Europol’s mandate, which includes terrorism and other serious offences. Europol has warned that serious criminal networks continue to represent a significant threat across the EU.
Current alert categories remain active alongside the new addition
The newly added alert type complements existing categories within the system. Member states can still issue alerts related to arrest warrants and refusals of entry or residence for non-EU nationals. When a match is found on any alert, the authorities that issued it are contacted through the network of national SIRENE Bureaux, which facilitate the exchange of supplementary details and coordinate subsequent actions among involved national agencies.
The new alert system is now operational across all countries connected to the platform. National authorities will decide on a case-by-case basis which partner information to upload as an alert. The European Commission highlighted that this change aims to enable border guards and law enforcement officers to act more swiftly on shared intelligence, thereby fostering closer cooperation between authorities. From October 15, officers will be able to view these new alerts during routine checks.