On March 7, the enhanced Schengen Information System (SIS), which European countries use to ensure security at EU borders, began to operate. We tell you in more detail what it is, why it was updated and what exactly has changed.
What is SIS?
Schengen Information System (SIS) is the largest information exchange system between the EU and Schengen countries. It was introduced in 1995 after the abolition of control at the internal borders.
The system collects and stores information about wanted or missing people, foreigners who do not have the right to be in the European Union, about lost or stolen items and documents. All countries that are connected to SIS can access this data. This means that all police officers and border guards have them.
SIS currently operates in 30 European countries: 26 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. In the summer of 2023, Cyprus should be connected to the system.
And what has changed since March 7, 2023?
In 2016, the EU decided that it was time to strengthen SIS. Work started on the project right away. However, it was completed only now: all updates finally passed the checks and entered into force officially.
The latest version of SIS includes new categories of warnings and biometric data (palm prints, fingerprints and DNA of missing persons), as well as additional tools to combat crime and terrorism. Now the national authorities receive more complete information, which helps to quickly find those who are dangerous, provide assistance to those who need protection, and prevent illegal migration attempts if there is such a problem.
The European Commission says that the updated SIS is “the most modern border management system in the world.” Together with the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) SIS will improve communication between EU countries.
What are EES and ETIAS?
These are two more systems that the European Union has decided to introduce in order to improve control at the external border. Both the first and the second are still in development, but according to the plan they should be launched in the near future.
EES and ETIAS will register passengers upon arrival in the European Union. But they have a couple of differences.
EES applies to citizens of all countries that are not part of the European Union or the Schengen area. The system will collect passenger data during their first entry into the EU and transmit it to other countries. There will be stored information about refusals of entry and permissible periods of stay. And all the personal information that will allow you to find people all over the European Union.
ETIAS applies only to those foreigners who can enter the EU without a visa. It is similar to the electronic system of authorization of entry into the United States (ESTA) – it serves the same purpose. Every foreigner will have to pass a security check through ETIAS. If everything is OK, he or she will get an entry permit.
EES was supposed to start working in November of this year (although now the launch has been postponed indefinitely again), ETIAS – in 2024. The systems will work together – including with SIS.
How will these systems affect you?
If you are not going to commit crimes and run from the law somewhere in the European Union, the SIS system will not affect you much.
In short: with the introduction of EES, there will be no need for stamps, and all information about entry refusals and permissible periods of stay in the EU will be displayed in a smart system that will analyze it independently. Before the trip, the traveler will need to register in the new system by visiting the consulate or visa application center of the country that interests him. And upon arrival in the destination country, the traveler will have to independently scan his passport and fingerprints at a special counter – without contact with the border guard. And the smart system will decide whether to let the guest in (and whether to let him out again).