Swiss president criticised for giving in to US demands, and government delays launch of digital identity card — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.
No deal: Swiss president is criticised for giving in to US demands
President Guy Parmelin flew to Washington this week to work out a better trade deal for Swiss exports, but came back empty-handed having made one-sided concessions to the United States instead.
He promised to ease requirements for the import of US cars and pharmaceuticals into Switzerland, but did not succeed in securing a deal guaranteeing that the Trump administration will not raise tariffs on Switzerland.
READ MORE: Swiss president under fire for making concessions to the US
Government delays launch of digital identity card
Though planned to be launched in December 2026, the long-in-the-works electronic ID won’t be introduced this year after all.
Because of recent developments in artificial intelligence, new improvements are necessary to ensure data protection and security, the Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) announced on June 30th.
This is why the FOJ has decided to increase the level of security for obtaining the e-ID online.
“The new technical measures are designed, in particular, to make it more difficult to introduce malware onto devices and to improve the detection of deepfakes,” the FOJ said.
READ MORE: Why the introduction of Switzerland’s e-ID is being delayed
Switzerland raises fees for civil registry certificates
The Federal Council announced that it intends “to raise moderately” several of the fees, though services such as registering births and deaths will remain free of charge.
The reason for the price increase is that civil registry offices are currently operating at a cost-covering rate.
According to the government’s explanatory report, fees currently cover only 42 to 47 percent of the costs incurred. The revised ordinance is therefore intended to bring the cantons closer to a 60-percent cost coverage.
READ MORE: Getting birth and marriage certificates in Switzerland to cost more
What’s at stake in Switzerland’s November referendums?
In the fourth and last round of national referendums in 2026, Swiss voters will have their say on four issues when they go to the polls on November 27th.
They will decide on the government’s proposal to finance of the13th state pension (AHV/AVS) with proceeds from increased Value Added Tax; on restricting the use of fireworks to protect humans, animals, and the environment; on reversing the newly approved individual taxation of married couples and to restore joint taxation; as well as relaxing the law on exports of war materials.
READ MORE: The big issues Switzerland will vote on in November
Do foreign football players on the national team get Swiss passports quickly?
To represent Switzerland, athletes – including those on the national football squad – must be Swiss citizens.
But while they must meet the same requirements for Swiss citizenship as other applicants for fast-track naturalisation, they do get preferential treatment in some areas.
For instance, instead of waiting up to two years for the naturalisation to go through, their procedures are expdiated, so their wait is much shorter.
READ MORE: How members of Switzerland’s World Cup squad got citizenship in record time
Airports warn of long queues at peak travel time this summer
Faced with a combination of summer travel and new EES border checks, Swiss airports are advising that passengers prepare for longer queues and leave extra time to deal with delays.
Switzerland’s three main international airports (Zurich, Geneva and Basel EuroAirport) are all advising passengers about longer waiting times at passport control due an anticipated busy summer season combined with new Entry/Exit System (EES) checks.
This concerns particularly those who are going to or coming from outside the Schengen area.
READ ALSO: Swiss airports advise travellers to get ready for long queues over summer
