SIS

The Schengen Information System (SIS) was established as an intergovernmental initiative under the Schengen Convention, now integrated into the EU framework. It is used by border guards as well as by police, customs, visa and judicial authorities throughout the Schengen Area. It holds information on persons who may have been involved in a serious crime or may not have the right to enter or stay in the EU. It also contains alerts on missing persons, in particular children, as well as information on certain property, such as banknotes, cars, vans, firearms and identity documents, that may have been stolen, misappropriated or lost. Information is entered into the SIS by national authorities and forwarded via the Central System to all Schengen States. The SIRENE Manual lays down the procedures for EU States' exchanges of supplementary information on alerts stored in SIS.

SIS II

On 9 April 2013, the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) enters into operation. SIS II has enhanced functionalities, such as the possibility to use biometrics, new types of alerts, the possibility to link different alerts (such as an alert on a person and a vehicle) and a facility for direct queries on the system. It also ensures stronger data protection. One of the world's largest IT systems in the field, it consists of three components: a Central System, EU States’ national systems and a communication infrastructure (network) between the Central and the national systems.

The Czech Republic, member of the Schengen area, uses the Schengen Information System (SIS).

The SIS is a shared database, which is used by the Schengen participating states and contains mainly the following data: persons whose entry in undesirable, prosecuted persons, missing persons, persons sought after in connection to criminal court proceedings, or missing items and property (such as vehicles, arms, personal documents, forged banknotes, and others).

Persons who are listed in the SIS will be denied entry to the Czech Republic/Schengen area.

Persons who are denied entry into Schengen area based on being logged in the SIS, have a right to request explanation from the authorities of the state, which made the entry.

Contact information: Policejní prezidium České republiky, P.O.BOX 62/K-SOU, Strojnická 27, 170 89 Praha 7.

For futher information concerning the exercise of right to access to the SIS please visit web sites of Policie České republiky (Police of the Czech Republic) and Úřad na ochranu osobních údajů (Office for Personal Data Protection).

Useful information concerning the exercise of right to access in different Schengen countries could be found in to the SIS in Guide to SIS (PDF, 687 KB).