The Schengen Information System: basic information

The Information System of Schengen, known as SIS is a special database that is used by the countries in Europe, in order to distribute collected information on individuals. The system is used for the purposes of the border control and national security, as well as enforcement of law. In April was issued the second version of the system, which is set under the regulations of the European Commission. The data collected by the system is being shared among the countries that take part in the Schengen Agreement. Besides the five original countries including Germany and France, Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as Luxembourg, later the Schengen Agreement was joined by twenty countries more.

Currently, the Schengen Information System is used also by Norway and Iceland, as well as by Switzerland, which are not members of the European Union. Hopefully, Bulgaria will join the Schengen zone in the spring of next year and will be able to share the information as well. At the same time, the United Kingdom and Ireland also take part in the Schengen Agreement under the Amsterdam Treaty regulations, which allows them to take part in the convention arrangements of Schengen. At this point the two countries can use the information to enforce law, but still it has border controls with the European countries.