The Saeima approves amendments to the Law on the Operation of the Schengen Information System

The Saeima has adopted amendments to the Law on the Operation of the Schengen Information System, which were published on September 8, 2026, in the official issue No. 172 of Latvijas Vēstnesis with the official publication reference OP 2026/172. The amendments have been adopted as law and enter into force after their publication in the official journal.

Regulatory Context

The Schengen Information System (SIS) is a European Union-wide data exchange system used by law enforcement agencies and border control services to exchange information on persons and objects. Latvia’s Law on the Operation of the Schengen Information System determines the procedure for the system’s operation at the national level and its link to international cooperation.

The amendments were included in the “Constitutional Institutions” section of Latvijas Vēstnesis issue No. 172 on September 8, 2026, among other laws adopted by the Saeima. The official publication OP 2026/172 is the official publication channel of the Republic of Latvia, where regulatory acts adopted by the Saeima are promulgated.

Impact on Data Exchange and Border Control

The amendments to the Law on the Operation of the Schengen Information System affect the data exchange procedure and border control practice at the international level. The system is essential for the daily work of travelers and law enforcement agencies, as it ensures the fast and secure circulation of information between member states.

The amendments to the law touch upon several essential aspects:

• the data exchange procedure between Latvian competent authorities and other Schengen Area member states;
• border control practice and the associated information processing;
• law enforcement agencies’ access to information contained in the system;
• the system’s operational compliance with international and European Union requirements.

Significance for Readers

The amendments to the Law on the Operation of the Schengen Information System are significant for every traveler and society as a whole, as they determine how data on persons crossing the borders of the Schengen Area are processed and exchanged. The update of the law ensures that Latvia’s legal regulation meets modern security and data protection requirements at the international level.

Official source: Amendments to the Law on the Operation of the Schengen Information System (Law), published in Latvijas Vēstnesis, September 8, 2026, No. 172, official publication OP 2026/172.