BRUSSELS, Belgium / RankWire.AI / – With approximately 17.7 billion searches conducted in 2025—an increase of 18% from 2024—European authorities are enhancing their security tools. Police officers and border guards across the European Union can now access intelligence from external partners regarding terrorist suspects instantly. Starting October 15, a new alert feature was activated in the Schengen Information System, enabling Member States to input trusted data received from third countries and international organizations. Europol assists national agencies in incorporating this information into the system.
This alert capability encompasses foreign terrorist fighters and individuals suspected of engaging in terrorist activities, along with suspects involved in serious criminal investigations. Member States may activate the alert based on information provided by external partners. The European Commission highlighted that this update will enhance officers’ ability to identify criminals and terrorists more effectively. It also aims to strengthen 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 information collected. The database remains a core element of the EU’s counterterrorism efforts. According to eu-LISA, the managing agency, approximately 17.7 billion searches were performed in 2025, representing an 18% rise from 2024. By year’s end, the system contained over 94.6 million alerts.
Closing the intelligence gap with partners
Regulation (EU) 2022/1190, adopted on July 6, 2022, forms the legal foundation for this development. It revised rules governing police and judicial cooperation via the system. Previously, partner-held information on third-country suspects was often shared solely with Europol, leaving ground officers without direct access during checks. The new alert aims to present such information immediately during routine inspections.
Europol initially reviews the information, verifying its credibility before proposing an alert. Member States then have the discretion to decide whether to input the alert after their own verification process. Only national authorities are authorized to create information alerts. These alerts are strictly for third-country nationals suspected of crimes within Europol’s remit, which include terrorism and serious crimes connected to high-threat criminal networks operating in Europe.
Maintaining alerts for arrest warrants and entry bans
The newly introduced category does not replace existing alerts in the system. Member States continue to issue alerts based on arrest warrants and refusals of entry or residence. When a match is found, the relevant national SIRENE Bureau contacts the issuing country’s counterpart, sharing additional information and coordinating subsequent actions.
Effective from October 15 across all participating countries, the upgrade allows national authorities to determine which external partner information should trigger alerts. The European Commission stated that this enhancement will assist border guards and police in better identifying potential suspects. During routine border and internal checks within the Schengen area, officers will have access to these alerts. Europol will keep supporting Member States in managing partner data.