Intro Key facts Tasks

THE DIGITAL HEART OF SCHENGEN

We maintain its regular beat. We make sure that our IT systems will work seamlessly together as essential instruments to support internal security and the asylum, border management and migration policies of the EU.

Let us introduce
ourselves

eu-LISA

the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice

Where we are

TallinnStrasbourg Sankt Johann im Pongau Brussels
Estonia France Austria Belgium
SKIP

DigitalisationDigitalisationDigitalisationDigitalisationDigitalisationDigitalisation

Border managementBorder managementBorder managementBorder managementBorder managementBorder management

Internal securityInternal securityInternal securityInternal securityInternal securityInternal security

Asylum managementAsylum managementAsylum managementAsylum managementAsylum managementAsylum management

Judicial cooperationJudicial cooperationJudicial cooperationJudicial cooperationJudicial cooperationJudicial cooperation

Visa policyVisa policyVisa policyVisa policyVisa policyVisa policyVisa policyVisa policy

MISSION

Each EU country (or “Member State”) makes an effort to keep Europe safe. Our mission is to provide the technology necessary to ensure those efforts bring the best results.

eu-LISA’s
core values

A few milestones from the past

2012

Our work begins

2013

We recruit our first teams and start managing Eurodac, SIS and VIS. We also set up two additional sites across Europe.

Confused by these acronyms?

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2014

All IT systems are successfully transferred to our data centres.

2015

We deliver the Smart Borders pilot project for deploying biometric technology at the Schengen Area’s external borders.

2016

EES preparatory work begins.

Confused by these acronyms?

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2017

Preparations for ETIAS underway.

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2018

The inauguration of eu-LISA’s permanent HQ in Tallinn and operational site in Strasbourg. Automated Fingerprint Identification System introduced for SIS.

Confused by these acronyms?

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2019

We are given the mandate to manage and develop ECRIS-TCN.

Confused by these acronyms?

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2020

25 years of SIS.

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2021

We launch a new visual identity and receive the European Public Sector Award.

2022

eu-LISA celebrates 10 years of duty keeping Europe open and secure.

2023

We launch a major SIS upgrade and take over the cross-border justice tool e-CODEX.

Confused by these acronyms?

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Intro Key facts Tasks

Some key facts

How much do you know about us?

When did we become fully operational?

A. 14 June 1985 B. 1 November 1993 C. 1 December 2012

Do our IT systems have weekend breaks?

A. YES B. NO

The headquarters of eu-LISA are in

A. Tallinn, Estonia B. Strasbourg, France C. Brussels, Belgium

“Providing regular and open communication with stakeholders” is which of eu-LISA’s core values?

A. Continuity B. Teamwork C. Transparency

eu-LISA is working on and managing 13 large-scale IT systems.

A. YES B. NO

Some more interesting facts

Over 31 countries and institutions are using our IT systems

31

30+ Users

SIS

31+ Users

EURODAC

29+ Users

VIS

Countries and institutions

AT

BE

BG

CH

CY

CZ

DE

DK

EE

EL

ES

FI

FR

HR

HU

IE

IS

IT

LI

LT

LU

LV

MT

NL

NO

PL

PT

RO

SE

SI

SK

Eurojust

Europol

Frontex

The IT systems we manage and develop
Up and running

Eurodac

European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database

Eurodac collects and compares digitalised fingerprints to facilitate the processing of asylum application.

SIS

Schengen Information System

People and goods can freely move within the Schengen Area. Through SIS, national law enforcement, border control, customs, visa and judicial authorities can exchange information about people and objects of interest and this way keep an eye on public safety.

VIS

Visa Information System

Making the common Schengen Visa policy a reality. Thanks to VIS, embassies and national authorities can exchange data and manage visa applications. The system has become invaluable for preventing irregular migration.

EES

Entry/Exit System

Electronically registers when and where third-country nationals enter and exit the Schengen Area, calculating how long they can stay. No need to stamp passports anymore!

ETIAS

European Travel Information Authorisation System

Makes border crossings faster via online pre-travel authorisations for third-country nationals that do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area.

ECRIS-TCN

European Criminal Records Information System - Third Country Nationals

It allows EU countries to share criminal records on third-country nationals and EU nationals having a double nationality from a third country.

e-CODEX

e-Justice Communication via Online Data Exchange

e-CODEX enables secure communication between courts, citizens and businesses, in order to simplify judicial cooperation across the EU.

Future projects

We have upgrades and new systems coming soon. That means more security, more freedom and more justice!

JITs CP

API

VIS

Digital visas

Eurodac

“Prüm II”

title

subtitle

desc

Intro Key facts Tasks

What we do

What is Interoperability

And why it matters

Each of the IT systems eu-LISA manages is designed to tackle different matters. Such as:

processing visa and asylum applications detecting irregular migration preventing and investigating cross-border crime and terrorism

Each system works independently.

But there is a way to make all of them work as one.

And this is the INTEROPERABILITY which we want to achieve.

Our goal is to make sure that:

Available information is accessible to different services, such as EU law enforcement and border control authorities.

The data stored in the systems is handled safely and with respect for data protection, privacy and fundamental rights.

Services are provided efficiently while also reducing costs.

Tasks

Reporting and statistics

Our reports inform the general public about how our IT systems work and also support decision-makers in multiple EU institutions.

R&D

In the ever-evolving modern world, our Research and Development team constantly monitors the latest (…) technological advancements that could be beneficial to our work, to make sure our systems are up to date. A special focus is given to the use of artificial intelligence in internal security, migration and justice.

Training

We use our online learning platform and traditional face-to-face courses to provide training on our IT systems and their interoperability.

Governance structure

They are the representatives of EU and Schengen Area countries

  • European Commission
  • Eurojust
  • European Public Prosecutor’s Office
  • Europol
  • Frontex

They ensure we deliver on our statutory commitments… and that it’s always cost-effective.

They are comprised of: EU countries, EU Agencies. Thematic groups that focus on:

  • Interoperability
  • EES
  • SIS
  • VIS
  • Eurodac
  • ECRIS-TCN
  • ETIAS
  • e-CODEX
  • JITs CP

Temporary managing bodies that operate during the design and development of core projects.

Sits at the helm of the Agency, managing its operations and ensuring that mission objectives are carried out according to the legal mandate and strategic goals.

Coordination bodies that address specific topics, such as artificial intelligence, biometrics, carrier associations, security officers and training national contact points.

Follow us

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