BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – European Union police and border patrol agents can now access live intelligence from external sources regarding suspected terrorists. As of October 15, a new alert feature in the Schengen Information System became operational, enabling Member States to input verified data from third nations and global organizations. This information pertains to individuals suspected of terrorism or serious criminal activity. Europol assists national authorities in integrating this data into the platform.
The newly introduced alert can identify foreign terrorist fighters and suspects involved in terrorist acts, as well as individuals under investigation for serious crimes. Member States have the discretion to issue alerts based on information received from external partners. The European Commission highlighted that this update enhances law enforcement’s ability to detect criminals and terrorists, and it will foster greater cooperation among EU police agencies.
Magnus Brunner, the Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner, emphasized that Europe’s security depends heavily on the quality of available information. The database plays a crucial role in broader EU counterterrorism initiatives. According to eu-LISA, about 17.7 billion searches were conducted in 2025, reflecting an 18% increase over 2024, and by the end of 2025, the system stored over 94.6 million alerts.
Partner intelligence gap narrows
Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted on July 6, 2022, provides the legal framework for this update, amending rules governing police and judicial cooperation through the system. Previously, partner-held information on third-country suspects was often transmitted only to Europol, leaving officers on the ground without direct access. The new alert system aims to display this information immediately during inspections.
Europol reviews the data for accuracy and reliability before proposing an alert, while each Member State can choose whether to activate the alert after their own verification. Only national authorities are authorized to enter information alerts, which apply solely to third-country nationals suspected of crimes within Europol’s scope, including terrorism and serious crimes associated with high-threat criminal networks operating in Europe.
Entry bans and arrest warrants remain in effect
This new category does not replace existing alerts, which still include arrest warrants and notices for entry refusals or stay violations. When a match occurs, the national SIRENE Bureau contacts the relevant counterpart in the country that issued the alert, sharing additional details and coordinating subsequent steps.
Effective from October 15 across all connected nations, the update grants national authorities the authority to determine which external partner data merit alert status. The European Commission stated this enhancement will enable border guards and police officers to better identify suspects, with alerts appearing during routine border checks and within the Schengen zone. Europol will continue to support Member States in managing partner information.