The Schengen Information System (SIS) is an electronic database of alerts on persons and objects.

The SIS is used by most EU countries and Schengen Associated Countries (Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland).

The SIS is the EU's largest security platform for the exchange of information in support of external border control and law enforcement cooperation in Schengen countries. It is also a compensatory measure for the abolition of internal border controls, set up to maintain a high level of security by supporting operational cooperation between police, border police and judicial authorities.

In accordance with the Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council , the purpose of this database is to maintain public policy and public security, including national security, in the territories of the Member States (users of the system) and to apply the provisions of the legal framework relating to the movement of persons in those territories by means of the information communicated through this system.

Effective border control at external borders on behalf of all Member States also requires access to other countries' data on certain individuals and objects. The SIS not only contains information on a specific person or object, but also clear instructions on what to do if such a person or object is found.

SIS users

The SIS can be accessed by:

• the Police (all categories of alerts on persons and objects),

• administrative units when issuing foreigners' permits (alerts in respect of third-country nationals subject to return decisions, alerts in respect of refusal of entry and prohibition of stay, and sought blank official documents and issued identity documents)

• administrative units responsible for issuing firearms registration certificates (alert for arrest for surrender or extradition, alert for discreet, inquiry or specific checks and sought firearms)

• consular representations issuing visas (alerts in respect of third-country nationals subject to return decisions, alerts in respect of refusal of entry and prohibition of stay, and sought blank official documents and issued identity documents)

• Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (all categories of objects)

• vehicle registration authorities (sought vehicles, vehicle registration certificates and number plates)

• authorities responsible for the registration of boats (sought boats and boat engines)

• authorities responsible for the registration of aircrafts (sought aircrafts and aircraft engines).

Countries also enter or query these data in the common database through their national systems.

Categories of data in the SIS

• Third-country nationals subject to return decisions (Article 3 of Regulation 2018/1860),

• refusal of entry and stay (Article 24 of Regulation 2018/1861),

• arrest for surrender or extradition purposes (Article 26 of Regulation 2018/1862),

• missing person (Article 32 of Regulation 2018/1862),

• a person sought to assist with a judicial procedure (Article 34 of Regulation 2018/1862),

• discreet checks, inquiry checks or specific checks (Articles 36(3) and 36(4) of Regulation 2018/1862),

• unknown wanted person (Article 40 of Regulation 2018/1862).

The objectives and conditions for issuing alerts for objects sought for the purposes of seizure or for use as evidence in criminal proceedings are laid down in Article 38 of Regulation 2018/1862.

Categories of objects to be entered

• motor vehicles regardless of the propulsion system,

• trailers with an unladen weight exceeding 750 kg,

• caravans,

• industrial equipment,

• boats,

• boat engines,

• containers,

• aircrafts,

• aircraft engines,

• firearms,

• blank official documents which have been stolen, misappropriated, lost or purport to be such documents but are false,

• issued documents such as passports, identity cards, residence permits, travel documents and driving licences which have been stolen, misappropriated, lost or invalidated or purport to be such a document but are false,

• vehicle registration certificates and vehicle number plates,

• banknotes (registered and false),

• items of information technology,

• Identifiable component parts of motor vehicles,

• Identifiable component parts of industrial equipment.

Related content

SIRENE National Bureau

Criminal Police Directorate

Enforcement of the rights of the individual with regard to data in the Schengen Information System