Today, the Cyprus join the Schengen Information System (SIS)Europe’s largest information exchange system for border security and management.

The connection of Cyprus to SIS allows law enforcement authorities to receive and exchange with all SIS participants real-time information about wanted or missing persons, third-country nationals who do not have a legal right to stay in the EU and lost or stolen objects (e.g. cars, firearms, boats and identity documents). Cyprus has also established a dedicated SIRENE Department, which will be responsible for coordinating information exchange and cooperation on SIS alerts and will join the network of national SIRENE Departments supporting the operation of SIS.

On 7 March 2023, the updated SIS became operational, which has been strengthened and includes new types of alerts, biometrics such as palm prints, fingerprints and DNA files of missing persons, as well as additional tools to fight crime and terrorism. To date, the renewed SIS operates in 31 European countries (27 EU Member States and associated Schengen countries).

Nikos Andritsos