The European Commission have published a proposal for a council decsion on migration from the Schengen Information System (SIS 1+) to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) including the objective of establishing the legal framework governing the migration from the Schengen Information System in its current form (SIS 1+) to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II). This will include a comprehensive test, with a view to demonstrating, in particular, that the level of performance of SIS II is at least equivalent to that achieved with SIS 1+.

SIS II will replace SIS 1+. The SIS II development takes into account the latest developments in the field of information technology and allows the introduction of added functionalities. It is therefore necessary to define a legal framework for the migration from SIS 1+ to the SIS II environment. In order to reduce the risks of service disruption during migration an interim technical architecture for the operations of SIS 1+ will allow SIS 1+ and certain technical parts of the architecture of SIS II to operate in parallel for a transitional period.

Provisions on the establishment, operation and use of SIS II are laid down in Regulation (EC) No. 1987/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council  of 20 December 2006 on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) and Council Decision 2007/533/JHA  of 12 June 2007 on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II). These instruments foresee that they will apply to the Member States participating in SIS 1+ only as of dates to be fixed by the Council, acting by the unanimity of its Members representing the governments of the Member States participating in SIS 1+. They will then replace the provisions of the Schengen acquis governing SIS 1+, in particular the relevant provisions in the Schengen Convention.

With respect to the budget for the development of the second generation Schengen Information System. It has been laid down that the expenditure involved in the development of the SIS II is to be charged to the general budget of the European Union.

SIS II was established by Regulation (EC) No 1987/2006 on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II)  and by Council Decision 2007/533/JHA of 12 June 2007 on the establishment, operation and use of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II).

What is SIS?

The SIS is an information system that allows the competent authorities in the Member States to obtain information regarding certain categories of persons and property. It is thus a vital factor in the smooth running of the area of security, freedom and justice. It contributes to the implementation of the provisions on the free movement of persons (Title IV of the Treaty) and to judicial cooperation in criminal matters and police cooperation (Title VI of the Treaty). The current SIS was designed to cope with 18 States (the 15 Member States, Iceland, Norway, and one in reserve). Its technology is clearly outdated and new development possibilities should therefore be studied.