What is eu-LISA? What To Know in 2025

There are a lot of things that draw travelers to Europe. Romantic vacations in Paris, canal rides in Venice, and sunny beachside holidays in Barcelona are just a few of what the Schengen area has to offer.

Each corner of Europe has something different, whether it's their food, architecture, or attractions and monuments.

That said, they all share something extremely important that adds to the overall allure of the area: they're safe to travel to. This is in large part thanks to a European Union agency called eu-LISA (the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems).

What is eu-LISA?

eu-LISA is responsible for managing the operations of shared technological systems in the Schengen zone and the European Union.

There are a few different things that they manage, which we will discuss in more detail later on in this article.

For a little bit of background, eu-LISA was established in 2011 in order to support the European Union's goals: to ensure safe and secure travel in Europe.

Fundamentally, eu-LISA both manages and develops large-scale information systems. These information systems utilize innovative technologies and are used by governments throughout Europe to help keep borders secure.

eu-LISA's main roles are centered around border security, border management, and migration.

Because of these robust technological systems, countries can quickly (and easily) share information with one another, allowing for more transparency and visibility when it comes to potential risks, threats, and criminal activity.

Which countries are in the European Union?

There are 27 countries in the European Union, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Not all countries in the EU are in the Schengen area. For instance, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are members of the Schengen area, but are not in the European Union.

On the other hand, Cyprus and Ireland are in the EU, but not in the Schengen area. That said, Cyprus is working on becoming a member of the Schengen zone. This is a lengthy process, and whether or not it will be approved isn't guaranteed.

There is a lot of overlap between the Schengen area and the European Union, and they work closely together, but the two groups aren't identical.

What does eu-LISA do?

Eu-LISA manages a variety of key IT systems across Europe that both enhance security and help cross-border travel.

The systems that they oversee help countries work together to handle issues related to all kinds of migration topics, from visas, asylum, and border control, to law enforcement and authorization.

Well known eu-LISA systems

ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorization System)

Once it's fully operational ( around the end of 2026), ETIAS will pre-screen travelers who don't need a visa to enter the Schengen area (such as US and UK citizens). eu-LISA is responsible for developing and maintaining ETIAS, ensuring that the system runs smoothly.

The new ETIAS platform will affect millions of travelers from countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. It will also help make the Schengen area more secure, allowing for an even easier exchange of crucial information and tracking, all in real time.

EES (Entry/Exit System)

EES is a state-of-the-art technology that is also managed by eu-LISA.

Another more recent development (like ETIAS), EES helps monitor and track non-EU travelers as they enter and exit the Schengen area. EES records information such as entry/exit dates, biometric data, and other important details, but it hasn't fully gone into effect just yet. Its expected launch date is October of 2025.

EES not only improves security at the border, but also allows for a more streamlined, efficient process at entry and exit points. If you’re curious about EES and how it might affect you as a traveler, you can learn more here.

SIS (Schengen Information System)

SIS is an extremely important system that every single member of the Schengen area uses. A large database, SIS allows countries to share highly sensitive information in real time.

With SIS's technologies, European countries are able to share critical information about high-stakes issues like stolen vehicles, missing persons, or trafficking. This system enables border police and local authorities to act on a dime in emergency situations.

EURODAC (European Dactyloscopy System)

EURODAC is another important system managed by eu-LISA. They collect and store the fingerprints of asylum seekers, helping EU countries process asylum applications and also prevent multiple applications across different states.

Stakeholders

When it comes to who has a stake in eu-LISA, there are several. Of course, the 27 EU member states themselves rely on eu-LISA, as well as all of the countries in the Schengen area (there are 29). Below are some of the additional stakeholders.

EU member states and the Schengen area

Countries across the European Union rely on eu-LISA for secure border control, law enforcement information systems, asylum processes, and more.

The European Commission

The executive body of the EU, the European Commission helps shape eu-LISA’s regulatory framework and also oversees its operations, thus they are pretty heavily involved.

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (called Frontex)

eu-LISA works very closely with Frontex when it comes to border security and information sharing.

The European Parliament and the Council of the EU

Both play a very large role in the oversight and regulation of all of eu-LISA’s operations.

Local law enforcement agencies

Agencies like Europol use eu-LISA's managed information to help protect against cross-border crime, human trafficking, terrorism, and more.

Headquarters

Being a European agency, eu-LISA's main headquarters are located in Tallinn, Estonia.

That isn't the only place they operate out of though. eu-LISA also has locations and offices in Strasbourg, France (where the data centers are housed) and Brussels, Belgium (which serves as a liaison office for coordinating with EU institutions).

Why eu-LISA is important

Eu-LISA plays a significant role in keeping all of the countries in the EU and the Schengen area safe (a combined total of 30 countries).

Through managing high-tech systems (like ETIAS and EES that we talked about above), eu-LISA allows the entire area to rest assured that those entering the Schengen area are properly vetted.

Another reason why eu-LISA is so important is that it helps authorities protect against crime, protect national security, and offer humanitarian assistance where needed. For example, when processing asylum applications. They're able to do this because of the data and information that eu-LISA supervises.

Through these large-scale systems, eu-LISA also makes sure that EU member states and Schengen countries have the tools they need to communicate with each other, sharing important data and info in real-time.

We, as travelers, get to enjoy free movement in the Schengen area in large part due to the work that eu-LISA does, even if it's a bit behind the scenes.

eu-LISA FAQs