The e-ID Act was passed by the parliament on December 20th, 2024, thereby establishing the introduction of the state-recognised electronic identity document.
The proposed ‘e-ID’ is an electronic proof of identity that can be loaded onto a smartphone app and used in a variety of ways.
It was originally supposed to go into effect in 2026, but a referendum committee has collected more than 60,000 signatures against the project — more than the 50,000 required for a national vote.
Already in 2021, voters had rejected an initial e-ID proposal, with concerns over its data protection being the main 'anti' argument.
The Federal Council then proposed a new, more secure concept, to be launched in 2026.
However, the populist groups who have spearheaded the referendum, reiterated their opposition, stressing that the introduction of electronic identity posed a serious threat to citizens' freedoms.
"It provides the basis for extensive surveillance and control, and opens the door to restricting our fundamental rights," they claim.
However, the plan was finally approved - though by a very narrow majority - in September 2025.
It is not yet known when the law will go into effect.
How will it be used?
The ‘e-ID’ has a few potential uses.
First, it can be used to prove identity at those times when carrying the existing Swiss identification card may be impractical - think purchasing alcohol or other restricted products.
READ MORE: Do you have to carry your Swiss ID card with you at all times?
The e-ID could also be used as an additional means of proving identity when accessing government services, such as ordering a passport or registering for benefits.
Several cantons are already testing the technology - for instance, it is already being used in a pilot program to store the learner permits of drivers in Appenzell Ausserhoden.
How will it be obtained?
Swiss citizens and residents will be able to obtain an ‘e-ID’ by using the app to take a photo of their existing national identification card and a selfie.
Facial recognition technology will be used to verify the user’s identity at the Federal Office of Police and the ‘e-ID’ will then be activated within the app, proving its validity.
What about the data, where will it be stored?
Privacy concerns have been a large part of the debate over ‘e-ID’.
To assuage concerns, it has been decided that a ‘decentralized’ model will be used, with most relevant data being stored on smartphone devices, rather than a central server or servers.
Frequent checks of the system by outside bodies to test for vulnerabilities are also planned.
Will it be compulsory? Will it cost anything?
At this point, no - however, that could change after several years of testing and refinement.
Nor will it replace existing passports or identity cards, and it will be free of charge.
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