Brussels, 14 October 2026
From tomorrow, the Schengen Information System (SIS) will have enhanced capabilities to fight terrorism and serious organised crime. A new information alert will make information shared by third countries and international organisations on suspected terrorists and serious criminals available across the EU in real time.
Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, said: “Terrorists and serious criminals do not stop at our borders, and neither should the information needed to stop them. With this upgrade to the Schengen Information System, the EU closes an important information-sharing gap and delivers on our Internal Security Strategy, ProtectEU.”
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner said: “Europe’s security is only as strong as the information behind it. Alerts on suspected terrorists and organised criminals, now shared by our international partners, mean border guards and police officers, from our external borders to the streets of our cities, can act on a threat before it causes damage. This is another reason to step up our security partnerships further.”
Member States will now be able to enter trusted information received from external partners into the SIS, with support from Europol. This includes information on foreign terrorist fighters, suspects in serious crime investigations and individuals suspected of terrorist activities. On this basis, Member States can issue an information alert.
This upgrade will help border guards and police officers across the EU detect more criminals and terrorists and facilitate cooperation between law enforcement authorities.
Member States can also continue to make use of the other alert categories already available in the SIS, such as arrest warrant alerts or alerts for refusals of entry or stay.
Source – EU Commission