SIS III

The Schengen Information System (SIS) is the largest information-sharing system for security and border management in Europe. Its third generation, commonly called SIS III or the "renewed SIS," entered into operation on 7 March 2023, replacing the SIS II architecture that had run since 2013.

SIS III is governed by three regulations adopted in November 2018: Regulation (EU) 2018/1860 (on return of illegally staying third-country nationals), Regulation (EU) 2018/1861 (on border checks), and Regulation (EU) 2018/1862 (on police and judicial cooperation). Together they expanded both the categories of alerts and the obligations on member states.

Key features introduced or strengthened with SIS III include:

• Return alerts: for the first time, decisions ordering the return of irregularly staying third-country nationals are entered EU-wide, supporting implementation of the Return Directive.
• Entry-ban alerts on third-country nationals refused entry or stay.
• Preventive alerts on vulnerable persons, including children at risk of abduction or radicalisation.
• Biometric search capability using fingerprints, palm prints and facial images, not only names.
• Mandatory consultation before member states issue residence permits to persons subject to another state's entry ban.
• Closer interoperability with Europol, Eurojust and Frontex, which gained limited access rights.

SIS III is operated centrally by eu-LISA in Strasbourg, with a backup site in Sankt Johann im Pongau, Austria, and national copies (N.SIS) in each participating state. It is used by border guards, police, immigration authorities, vehicle-registration services and consulates. Participating countries include all EU member states (with variable opt-ins for Ireland and Cyprus) plus Schengen-associated Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

SIS III is a core building block of the EU's broader interoperability framework, alongside the Entry/Exit System (EES), ETIAS, VIS, Eurodac and ECRIS-TCN.