BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – Law enforcement officers and border security personnel within the European Union now have the capability to access intelligence shared by external partners regarding terrorist suspects instantly. An updated alert function within the Schengen Information System was activated on October 15, enabling Member States to input verified data obtained from third countries and international organizations. This information pertains to suspected terrorists and serious offenders. Europol assists national agencies in integrating this data into the system.
The newly implemented alert can identify foreign terrorist fighters and individuals under suspicion of engaging in terrorist acts. It also extends to suspects involved in significant criminal investigations. Member States are authorized to issue alerts based on information received from external entities. The European Commission highlighted that this update will enhance law enforcement’s ability to detect a greater number of criminals and terrorists, while fostering improved collaboration among EU authorities.
Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that Europe’s security relies heavily on the quality of its intelligence. The database serves as a vital component of the EU’s broader counterterrorism initiatives. According to eu-LISA, approximately 17.7 billion searches were conducted in 2025, reflecting an 18% increase from 2024. By the end of 2025, the system contained more than 94.6 million alerts, as reported by the agency responsible for managing it.
Closing the intelligence gap from partner countries
The legal foundation for these updates is Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, which was adopted on July 6, 2022. This regulation modified the existing rules governing police and judicial cooperation through the system. Prior to this change, partner-held information on third-country suspects was often relayed solely to Europol, leaving ground officers without direct access during checks. The new alert feature aims to display that information immediately during routine checks.
Europol initially reviews the data for accuracy before proposing an alert. Each Member State has the discretion to decide whether to proceed with entering the alert after conducting their own verification. Only national authorities are permitted to add information alerts. These alerts are exclusively for third-country nationals suspected of offenses within Europol’s mandate, including terrorism and serious crimes connected to high-threat criminal networks operating within Europe.
Existing arrest warrants and entry bans remain unaffected
The new alert category does not replace any of the previously established alerts. Member States retain the ability to issue alerts based on arrest warrants or refusals of entry and stay. When a match is identified, the national SIRENE Bureau contacts the relevant counterpart in the country that issued the alert. They exchange additional details and coordinate subsequent actions for each case.
Effective from October 15 across all connected countries, this update grants national authorities the authority to determine which external partner data should be converted into alerts. The European Commission stated that this enhancement will aid border guards and police officers in identifying more suspects. Alerts will now appear during routine border checks and internal Schengen area inspections. Europol will continue providing support to Member States in managing partner data.