Swiss voters have narrowly backed a national law establishing a state-run electronic identification system, approving the Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services by just 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent in a referendum held on September 28. The decision reverses a 2021 rejection and sets Switzerland on course to introduce a government-operated e-ID that will be optional, free of charge, and issued through a federal wallet app known as Swiyu.
A Second Attempt at Digital ID
The 2021 proposal for an e-ID was defeated largely due to concerns that private companies would control issuance and infrastructure. In contrast, the approved law mandates direct federal management of the e-ID, emphasizing privacy protections and government oversight. Officials said the new scheme will allow residents to prove their identity online to public authorities and private businesses for services such as age verification or applying for licences.
According to the Swiss government, “The new law creates the basis for a state-issued e-ID… Use of the e-ID is voluntary and free of charge.” The scheme is designed to complement, rather than replace, existing identification documents.
Implementation Through Swiyu Wallet
Rollout will take place via Switzerland’s “Swiyu” digital wallet, which has already been trialed for credential delivery. The wallet is expected to serve as the primary channel for e-ID issuance and management, providing citizens with a standardized digital identity credential. Turnout in the referendum was around 49–50 percent, with support strongest in French-speaking cantons. Late returns from Zurich ultimately proved decisive in pushing the measure over the line.
Link to Physical ID Modernization
The e-ID law coincides with a broader modernization of Swiss identity documents. Authorities plan to introduce chip-enabled biometric ID cards by the end of 2026, replacing the current non-biometric cards. Trials of a national digital ID system have also been conducted, with officials describing pilots as successful and foundational to the rollout.
Industry and Policy Context
The narrow approval reflects both skepticism and demand for digital identity in Switzerland. Civil liberties groups had raised concerns about privacy and surveillance risks, while government advocates emphasized stronger state oversight compared to the failed 2021 plan. The result positions Switzerland alongside European neighbors that are expanding digital ID frameworks under the EU’s eIDAS 2.0 regulation, even as it preserves distinct national control.
The combination of a state-run e-ID, Swiyu wallet infrastructure, and upcoming biometric identity cards signals that Switzerland is committed to a tightly integrated, government-operated model of digital identity. The close referendum outcome, however, suggests continued debate over implementation and trust in digital services.
Source: The Guardian, Swiss Federal Council, SWI swissinfo.ch, Yahoo/Reuters
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By Cass Kennedy
