After a failed referendum in 2021, the Swiss government’s push for the electronic identity card was finally approved at the ballot box on September 28.
If you are still unsure what the e-ID is all about, or why it has been (and still is) so controversial you can find all the answers in the link below:
READ ALSO: What will Switzerland’s controversial ‘electronic-ID’ mean for you?
Here are the answers to some questions you may have to this new concept, which will enable users to digitally identify themselves in the future with this digital alternative to the Swiss passport or ID card.
Will it be compulsory?
No, or at least for the moment there is no plan for it to be. “Use of the e-ID is voluntary,” says the government.
Will it cost me?
No electronic-ID will be free.
What purpose will it serve?
You can, for instance, use it as proof of age in shops when buying alcohol, open a bank account, obtain electronic signatures, conclude a mobile phone contract, use the Swiss-wide government login, order a criminal record extract or an extract from the debt collection register.
Basically, anything you can do with your passport or (physical) ID, you will also be able to do with the electronic version
How secure will my data be?
Data protection was a central issue in the referendum campaign. In 2021, the e-ID was rejected because a private company was involved at the time. Now, it will be issued directly by the state.
Personal information should not be stored centrally in a government database, but rather on the personal smartphone. And authorities and companies that verify the e-ID cannot view or store any data other than that required.
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How do I apply for the e-ID?
The e-ID requires a wallet app on the personal smartphone. A free application can be submitted to the Federal Office of Police using the “Swiyu” app. The app can already be downloaded from the respective store and tested with a beta ID.
When will it arrive?
Justice Minister Beat Jans said the e-ID is expected to be introduced “as planned before the end of 2026.”
Last but not least, can foreign residents apply for it too?
Possibly.
According to the federal government, “anyone who has a Swiss identity card, a Swiss passport or a foreign national identity card issued in Switzerland will be able to apply for an e-ID.”
It is not clear what “issued in Switzerland means,” but if you are interested, ask at your local commune.
