Swiss Voters Narrowly Back Electronic ID Cards

The Swiss e-ID—which will be voluntary—could be used to order licenses, prove age, or confirm residence.

A Swiss national flag in Bourg-Saint-Pierre, western Switzerland, on June 21, 2022. Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

Swiss voters narrowly approved the introduction of voluntary electronic identity cards in a Sept. 28 referendum, the country’s second national vote on digital IDs.

The Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services (e-ID Act) passed with 50.4 percent support and 49.6 percent opposed, according to official results. Turnout was 49.5 percent.

It marked a reversal from March 2021, when voters rejected an earlier version of the law amid concerns that the digital ID would be issued by private companies.

This time, the system will be run by the state, with the federal government responsible for issuing the IDs and operating the underlying technical infrastructure.

Switzerland’s move came just two days after the UK announced plans to introduce digital IDs by mid-2029. Supporters of the Swiss reform say it will help the country keep pace with international developments in digital governance, while opponents vow to keep pressing for stricter safeguards.

Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans welcomed the outcome, saying it strengthens Switzerland’s “digital sovereignty [and] economic competitiveness,” and ensures inclusive access to public services.

The new law allows citizens to use a state-issued e-ID to prove their identity digitally in dealings with authorities or private firms. Possible uses include ordering an electronic driver’s license, providing proof of age when buying restricted products, or confirming residence. The IDs will be voluntary and free of charge.

Authorities and businesses will also be able to build on the state infrastructure to offer their own proofs, such as confirmation of club membership or local residency, according to government documents.

Privacy Concerns

Critics warned that despite safeguards the system could erode privacy and fuel the commercial exploitation of personal data.

“The e-ID law lays the foundation for the commercialization of citizens’ passport data. The major parties are sleeping on this attack on our privacy. The Digital Swiss Passport (e-ID) will be a perfect pass to Big Tech and the rest,” said Monica Amgwerd, general secretary of Digital Integrity Switzerland.

The Swiss People’s Party, the largest group in the Swiss Parliament, said it regretted the law’s approval. The party said that electronic IDs must remain voluntary.

“Apparently, the Swiss have believed the Federal Council’s promise that the e-ID will remain voluntary. Accordingly, the Federal Council is now obligated to guarantee its voluntary nature and ensure the protection of personal data at all times,” the party said in a statement. “There must be no backdoor state surveillance. The [Swiss People’s Party] will resolutely oppose all attempts in this direction.”

Asked after the vote whether the government would slow implementation given the close result, Jans said the law was now settled but that the close vote left room for adjustments through the ordinance that sets detailed rules.

“So, the law is clear—that’s now the law, since the population has approved it. But within this law, measures can be introduced in the ordinance to also take into account the fact that this was a very, very close vote. That will be for the Federal Council to discuss and decide at the right time,” he said.

Jans told reporters that consultation remains open until mid-October.

“It’s also very important to consider the feedback from parties and stakeholders regarding this ordinance. And the second thing to say is that we have this participatory process,” he said.

“[In October,] there will be the next participatory conference, in the form of a public video conference. There too, criticism can be raised; people can say what they like, so that we can really find the security we’re looking for.”

The minister insisted that his department had worked to the “highest standards” on data protection. “But if there are still needs beyond that, we can discuss them,” he said.