The Schengen Area, consisting of 26 European countries, offers its residents a remarkable privilege – the freedom of movement. This privilege extends even to foreign visitors through the uniform Schengen visa.
However, to protect this right and ensure the security of movement within the Schengen countries, a comprehensive set of security systems has been put in place. Put together, these systems make up the Security System of the Schengen Area and are capable of tracking visa holders, asylum seekers, and those attempting illegal border crossings, sending out alerts, flagging potential dangers, and many more.
The Security System of the Schengen Area
The Security System of the Schengen Area includes the following:
- eu-LISA.
- The Schengen Information System (SIS).
- The Schengen Visa Information System (VIS).
- The Entry/Exit System (EES).
- Eurodac.
eu-LISA
eu-LISA, or the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice, is an EU agency that manages the security system of the Schengen Area. This is only a small part of the EU-LISA responsibilities, as it also ensures high levels of information security and data protection, implements new security measures, and provides training on the technical use of the IT systems used by the EU and Schengen countries.
The Schengen Information System (SIS)
SIS, or the Schengen Information System, is an IT security system used to enter alerts regarding people or objects in the Schengen Area. These alerts can be related to anything from missing people or lost documents to victims of human trafficking or possible suspects in other crimes. Only countries with SIS access can enter and delete an alert. SIS alerts can also be used to apprehend people attempting to enter Schengen countries illegally. Other law enforcement agencies of the Schengen countries can use SIS for security measures.
Read more about the Schengen Information System (SIS).
The Schengen Visa Information System (VIS)
The Schengen Visa Information System- VIS, contains information regarding Schengen visas issued to foreign individuals. Personal information provided in the visa application form is also stored in VIS, along with a decision on the visa application and the visa duration. This way, foreigners are discouraged from “visa-shopping.”
Read more about the Schengen Visa Information System (VIS).
The Entry/Exit System (EES)
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is designed to monitor the comings and goings of foreign individuals who enter the Schengen Area. This includes third-country nationals who need a visa for the Schengen Zone and those who don’t. The EES replaces the manual stamping of passports to streamline the process of border crossings. It also serves as a security measure to check upon individuals entering the Schengen Area who may pose a security risk. Additionally, the system monitors the period of stay, ensuring that no “overstayers” abuse their freedom of movement privileges or visa conditions.
Read more about the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Eurodac
In addition to SIS, VIS, and EES, Eurodac is another security system that stores fingerprint data related to asylum seekers and illegal border crossers. Eurodac helps other countries that use the system to determine which country is in charge of reviewing an asylum application and locate searches for Europol— when it’s required.
Read more about Eurodac.
Overview of the Schengen Security Systems
Here is a brief overview of the most important features of the Schengen Security Systems:
| SIS | VIS | EES | Eurodac | |
| What kind of data is stored? | Personal information about an individual or an alert, such as name, address, description of the object in question, information on why an alert is issued, etc. | The personal information provided in the visa application form, biometric data, the Schengen country that processed the visa, the status of the visa, etc. | The personal information outlined in your passport, entry place, entry and exit date, or refusal of entry in a European country. Plus, biometric data (facial image and fingerprints). | Only fingerprint data and the name of the individual concerned. |
| Who has access to the system? | Border patrol officers, police authorities, customs authorities, visa and immigration authorities, vehicle, boat, and aircraft registration authorities, and Europol. | Official border patrol officers, asylum authorities, national authorities, and Europol (by request). | Competent authorities using EES, such as border officers, visa and immigration authorities, and Europol. | Only competent authorities of the Member States and Europol. |
| Which countries use it? | 31 European countries have access to SIS. | All Schengen countries and Schengen-associated states. | 29 European countries have access to EES. | 31 European countries have access to Eurodac. |
| How long is the data stored? | One to ten years. | Five years. | Three to five years. | Eighteen months to 10 years. |
| Can I have access to my data? | Yes, by official request. | Yes, by official request. | Yes, by official request. | Yes, by official request. |
The Importance of the Security System of the Schengen Area
These security systems are crucial to the safety of the Schengen Area since, together, they ensure the following:
- Supporting the visa issuance and the border check process.
- Combating unlawful actions.
- Guarding travelers.
- Assisting with asylum applications.
- Improving the level of security within the Schengen Area and the EU.
- Enabling border control collaboration.
- Supporting law enforcement collaboration.
- Increasing vehicle registration collaboration.
- Offering easy access to asylum seekers and cross borders fingerprints data.
- Guaranteeing harmony with the newest asylum legislation.
- Ensuring records to avoid, identify, and explore terrorism and serious crimes.
Are There Border Checks in the Schengen Area?
There are no internal border checks in the Schengen Area, which is why it’s important for security measures to be implemented within external borders. This way, security risks are prevented before entering the Schengen Area.
Do Schengen Countries Share Visa Information With the UK?
Because of Brexit, the UK is now considered a third-country national by the EU, which means the UK no longer has access to the information stored in VIS, SIS, and Eurodac. Furthermore, some EU countries have required that all ties with the UK and SIS be cut, as the security system contains sensitive information which cannot be made available to third parties.
Is It Legal for the Security System of Schengen to Store My Data?
Yes, when you apply for a Schengen visa, register for an ETIAS, or submit a request for asylum, you consent to share personal information with that specific Schengen country where you submit your application. When your personal data and biometrics are collected, you will be let know that the information retrieved will be stored in one of the security databases and that the information will not be shared with third parties.
However, if you feel that the data was retrieved illegally or that it should not be stored in any of those systems for security reasons, you can submit a request to have your data changed or deleted. For this action, you will need to consult with a legal representative. You also have to remember that your data is stored in VIS, SIS, EES, or Eurodac for some time, after which the system will delete it.