Switzerland plans to introduce new chip-enabled biometric identity cards by the end of 2026, replacing the current non-biometric versions in line with European Union regulatory standards. The Swiss Federal Police (fedpol) announced the timeline on June 30, 2025, signaling a significant modernization of the country’s identity document system.
The new ID cards will store biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, on a secure chip, similar to the technology already used in Switzerland’s biometric passports. Although Switzerland is not an EU member state, it is required to implement these changes under the revised Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), aligning with EU Regulation 2019/1157, which mandates chip-based identity cards across Schengen and European Economic Area countries. Switzerland must issue the new cards no later than one year after the revised AFMP enters into force.
Features and Transition Plans
According to fedpol, the chip will help prevent counterfeiting and unauthorized alterations of identity documents. Officials have explained that biometric data can only be read when the physical card is presented, ensuring the information cannot be accessed remotely. Furthermore, fingerprint data stored on the chip will only be shared with countries that offer data protection standards equivalent to those in Switzerland.
Switzerland will allow residents to continue using their existing non-biometric ID cards for travel within the EU until they expire or for up to ten years following the rollout of the new biometric cards. Additionally, Swiss citizens will still have the option to request a non-biometric ID card, although such a document would only be valid for domestic use and would not meet international travel requirements.
Unlike Switzerland’s biometric passports, which require parliamentary approval for changes, the biometric ID card project will be implemented through an update to the Identity Documents Ordinance managed by fedpol, allowing for a more streamlined process without new legislative debates.
Digital ID and Security Developments
The biometric ID initiative coincides with Switzerland’s ongoing digital transformation in identity management. The country began public testing of its national digital identity system, known as Swiyu, in late March 2025, demonstrating progress toward offering citizens secure digital services. Meanwhile, the rollout of biometric ID cards is set against the backdrop of a nationwide referendum scheduled for September 28, 2025, on the adoption of a new electronic ID (eID) framework that would define how digital identities are issued and managed in the future.
Switzerland’s IDIAP Research Institute, which has held FIDO biometric laboratory accreditation since 2019, may play a role in shaping the technical standards and security measures for biometric data handling in the new identity ecosystem. However, no private technology partner has been publicly named for the biometric ID card project to date.
These developments reflect Switzerland’s effort to align itself with broader European trends emphasizing secure, chip-enabled identity documents that balance improved cross-border mobility with stringent data protection requirements.
Sources: Swiss Federal Police Announcement, Swissinfo
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By Ji-seo Kim
