Bulgaria and the Schengen Information System

In the summer of 2010, the European Commission declared that Bulgaria is ready to implement the requirements that concern the protection of the personal information and can start entering data into the Schengen Information System. In other words, it was stated that the Bulgarian legislation is aligned to the requirements of the Convention for implementing the Schengen Agreement. That is why in November 2010 Bulgaria joined the Schengen Information System. The authorities are able to enter, to update and to take the appropriate actions in order to implement all activities connected with the signals from other countries in the Schengen zone. Bulgaria will be able to enter in the system signals that concern third parties once it becomes a full member of the Schengen agreement.

The individuals, whose data is entered in the Schengen Information System include people who need to be arrested under a European arrest warrant or extradition; foreigners who have a denial to enter the country; missing persons and people who have to be protected; people who are summoned to trial in connection with criminal proceedings; individuals that are subject of discreet surveillance or specific control. In Bulgaria the Schengen Information System will be administrated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It will also control the entering of the personal information data.