Published on 22 November 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
General information on the e-ID
The e-ID is the state-recognised electronic identity credential of Switzerland. It is an additional, free offer alongside the physical identity card. The e-ID allows you to prove your identity in both the analogue and digital worlds.
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No. The e-ID is an identity credential, i.e. proof of identity. With AGOV, the federal government offers an authority login that can also be used by cantons and municipalities. The e-ID will be used as a particularly secure means of access to AGOV.
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A digital credential is a file containing information on a person that has been confirmed by a state or private responsible authority. The information can thus be clearly checked to confirm that it is complete and accurate.
The e-ID is one such digital proof issued by the state. Other forms of digital proof may also exist, such as a residence certificate from a public authority, a diploma from an educational institution or a membership card from an association. All these forms of proof can be stored in an app on a smartphone and presented securely when required.
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Only the federal government issues the e-ID. Other persons or organisations can issue other forms of digital credentials - just as they can issue credentials in the analogue world. A fee is required to register as an issuer in the base and trust registry.
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The new state e-ID will be issued by the federal government. The draft law that was rejected in the referendum in 2021 provided that private companies would have issued the e-ID. With the new e-ID, data storage is decentralised, which improves data protection and data economy and guarantees users the greatest possible control over their data. In addition, an e-ID infrastructure will be established that can be used to issue other digital credentials.
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Yes. The federal government plays the central role in the new e-ID. It designs the trust infrastructure necessary for the e-ID's operation, develops it itself or buys parts of it on the market. The federal government operates the infrastructure and is the sole issuer of the e-ID.
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Use of the e-ID
Starting in summer 2026 at the earliest, you will be able to order the e-ID free of charge in the swiyu Wallet. To do so, you need a valid Swiss identity document (ID card, passport or foreign national identity card).
How it works:
- Install the swiyu Wallet on your smartphone.
- Have your valid identity document ready to confirm your identity. You will scan your document and record a short video of your face.
- If everything is in order, your e-ID will be issued immediately in the swiyu Wallet. The entire process usually takes only a few minutes.
In some cases, an additional in-depth verification may be necessary. This may take a few days.
Identity confirmation on site:
For individuals who are unable to confirm their identity online due to a disability, no fee is charged.
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The earliest that the e-ID is expected to be introduced is the third quarter of 2026.
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The e-ID will be issued and be free of charge to holders. If the identity check is not carried out online but on site at the relevant office, the latter may charge a fee of no more than a few dollars.
Current issues: When you present your physical ID today, the person verifying it sees more information about you than necessary. Online, a copy of the entire ID is often required. What happens to your data afterwards is beyond your control.
New solution: With the e-ID, users have full control over their data. During a verification, they see exactly which information is being requested and can approve or decline the request. Only the data necessary for the specific purpose is disclosed.
Example: For an age check, the verifying person learns neither your exact date of birth nor your age, but only whether you have reached the required minimum age.
Examples of what you can do with the e-ID in the future:
- Provide proof of age
- Open a bank account
- Request a criminal record extract
More information about the e-ID
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No. Just as you cannot sign a document with an ID card, you cannot sign electronically with the e-ID either. However, it does allow you to obtain an electronic signature from a certified provider which you can use to sign documents legally.
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No; in principle, there is no obligation to obtain or use an e-ID. However, if specific legislation states that an e-ID is required, then a public service could be made exclusively digital. Otherwise, all services must also be offered in analogue form.
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The support organization is still being set up. The federal government will support you with a digital assistant and, if necessary, via personal telephone assistance.
Security of the e-ID
There is no such thing as 100% security, either in the analogue or the digital world. The federal government does its utmost to protect your data wherever possible with all the currently available security measures. The e-ID has been developed and is operated according to the current state of the art and international standards. The source code for the various e-ID systems is publicly accessible and can be checked by anyone who is interested. The e-ID Act is formulated in a technology-neutral way and allows for the constant adaptation of the e-ID to keep it in line with technological developments.
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Anyone who wants to misuse your e-ID would have to get their hands on your smartphone and then be able to unlock both the phone and your app. This means that as the holder of your e-ID, you must ensure that no one gains unauthorised access to your smartphone and that the software on your smartphone is always up to date. If there is any uncertainty, you can have your e-ID blocked immediately at any time.
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