Schengen area: Cyprus joins the Schengen Information System

The connection of Cyprus to SIS allows law enforcement authorities to receive and exchange with all SIS participants real-time information on wanted or missing persons, third-country nationals having no legal right to stay in the EU and lost or stolen objects (e.g. cars, firearms, boats and identity documents). Cyprus has also set up a dedicated SIRENE Bureau, which is responsible for coordinating the exchange of information and the cooperation on SIS alerts. It will form part of a network of national SIRENE Bureaux supporting the functioning of SIS.

On 7 March 2023, the updated SIS entered into operation. It was reinforced and it now includes new categories of alerts, biometrics such as palm prints, fingerprints and DNA records of missing persons, as well as additional tools to fight crime and terrorism. To date, the renewed SIS is operational in 31 European countries (27 EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries).