BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – Law enforcement officers and border security personnel across the European Union are now able to access intelligence from external partners concerning terrorist suspects instantly. A newly introduced alert system within the Schengen Information System became operational on October 15, enabling Member States to input verified data received from third countries and international organizations. This data pertains to individuals suspected of terrorism and serious criminal offenses. Europol plays a supportive role by assisting national authorities in integrating this information into the system.
This alert mechanism can be activated for foreign terrorist fighters and persons under suspicion of engaging in terrorist acts, as well as for individuals involved in significant criminal investigations. Member States are permitted to issue alerts based on externally sourced information. The European Commission stated that these enhancements will enable law enforcement to identify a greater number of criminals and terrorists, while also fostering improved cooperation among law enforcement agencies throughout the EU.
Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that Europe’s security depends on the quality of the intelligence collected, noting that the database serves as a key element within the broader EU counterterrorism efforts. According to eu-LISA, the agency managing the system, there were approximately 17.7 billion searches conducted in 2025, representing an 18% increase over 2024. By the end of 2025, the database contained more than 94.6 million alerts.
Enhanced cooperation closes intelligence gaps from partners
The legal foundation for these updates is Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, enacted on July 6, 2022, which revised the existing rules governing police and judicial cooperation through the system. Prior to this update, information held by external partners regarding third-country suspects was typically only accessible to Europol, meaning officers conducting field checks lacked immediate access. The newly introduced alert aims to bring that information directly to officers at the moment they carry out checks.
Initially, Europol reviews the information to verify its credibility before recommending an alert. Subsequently, each Member State independently determines whether to activate the alert after completing its own verification process. Only national authorities are authorized to input information alerts, which are limited to third-country nationals suspected of crimes falling within Europol’s mandate, including terrorism and other serious offenses related to high-threat criminal networks operating in Europe.
Arrest warrants and entry refusal alerts remain active alongside
This new category of alert does not replace existing alerts such as those issued for arrest warrants or entry and stay refusals. Member States retain the ability to issue alerts based on judicial warrants and to continue reporting refusals of entry or residence. When a match is identified, the national SIRENE Bureau contacts the corresponding authority in the country that issued the alert, exchanging additional information and coordinating subsequent actions for each case.
Effective from October 15, this process applies across all countries linked to the system. Authorities will now have the discretion to determine which external partner information should be converted into official alerts. The European Commission highlighted that these system upgrades will aid border guards and law enforcement officials in recognizing more suspects, who will appear in alerts during routine border checks and internal Schengen area inspections. Europol will continue supporting Member States in managing external partner data.