The Schengen area allows more than 400 million people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls.
Schengen: enlargement of Europe’s border-free area
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Schengen Agreement
On the 14th of June, 1985 five Member States: the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic signed Schengen agreement on gradual abolition of checks at common borders (Schengen Agreement), the aim of which was bringing about the abolition of checks at their common borders on the movement of persons, citizens of Member States and facilitate the transport and movement of goods. After some years other Member States, except The United Kingdom and Ireland, acceded to the Schengen Agreement. The two states (Norway and Iceland), a non-Member States have also acceded to Schengen Agreement.
Schengen Convention
Convention from 19 June 1990 Applying the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 between the governments of the States of the Benelux economic union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the French Republic on gradual abolition of checks at their common borders (Schengen Implementation Agreement) was the basis for establishing the Schengen Information System (SIS) and facilitating the implementation of the principle of free movement in Schengen acquis.
Schengen information system
The Schengen Information System (SIS) is the most widely used and largest information sharing system for security and border management in Europe. As there are no internal borders between Schengen countries in Europe, SIS compensates for border controls and is the most successful cooperation tool for border, immigration, police, customs and judicial authorities in the EU and the Schengen associated countries.
Competent national authorities, such as the police and border guards, are able to enter and consult alerts on people and objects in one common database. These people and objects can be located anywhere within the EU and the Schengen area during border, police or other lawful checks.
Since 1995, the system has helped Europe preserve its security in the absence of internal border checks.
In 2013, the second generation of SIS (SIS II) was rolled out, with additional functionalities, such as the possibility of adding fingerprints and photographs to alerts.
In March 2023, SIS was renewed with new alerts, upgraded data and enhanced functionalities.
Schengen Information System Information leaflet #1
Schengen Information System Information leaflet #2
Schengen information system Presentation
Legal acts
Competent national authorities
Access to SIS is limited. Only national authorities responsible for border control, police, customs, courts, visa and vehicle registration services have access. These authorities can use SIS data only to the extent that they need to carry out their specific tasks. The European institutions EUROPOL and EUROJUST also have limited access rights.
Personal Data Protection in the Schengen Information System
Authorities using SIS in each country are obliged to check the quality of the information they enter into the system. There are strict data protection requirements in the Schengen area. If data about a person is entered into the SIS, that person has the right to request access to this data and make sure that it is correct and lawfully entered. If not, the person has the right to request rectification or erasure of data related to him or her. Access may only be refused when strictly necessary for the performance of a legitimate task related to the request and for the exercise of the rights and freedoms of others.
Personal Data Protection in the Schengen Information System: English, Russian, Arabic.
- Request for access to your personal data processed in the Schengen Information System (SIS)
- Request for rectification of your personal data processed in the Schengen Information System (SIS)
- Request to delete your personal data processed in the Schengen Information System (SIS)
National Supervisory Authority
The purpose of the national supervisory authority shall be to independently monitor the lawfulness of the processing of SIS personal data on their territory and the transfer of SIS personal data from their territory and the further lawfulness of the exchange and processing of supplementary information.
The State Data Protection Inspectorate has been designated as responsible for the independent verification of the lawfulness of the processing of personal data in the national SIS. One of the functions of the State Data Protection Inspectorate is to exercise control over the lawfulness of the processing of personal data in the national SIS.
For more information, contact the State Data Protection Inspectorate:
L. Sapiegos str. 17
LT-10312 Vilnius, Lithuania
Phone: + 370 5 271 2804
Institutions responsible for the execution of functions according the Schengen acquis
Ministry of the Interior
https://vrm.lrv.lt/en/
Police Department under the Ministry of the Interior
https://policija.lrv.lt/en/
Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau - International Liaison Office - National SIRENE unit
https://policija.lrv.lt/en/
Migration Department under the Ministry of the Interior
http://www.migracija.lt/
State Border Guard Service at the Ministry of the Interior
http://www.pasienis.lt/eng/I-pradzia
Information Technology and Communications Department under the Ministry of the Interior
https://www.ird.lt/en/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
https://www.urm.lt/default/en/
Useful links
Access rights and data protection
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