Switzerland to launch biometric identity card in November

From November 2, 2026, Swiss citizens will have a new option for proving their identity at home and across Europe. The Federal Police, Fedpol, said on August 26 that the government had adopted the legal framework needed to introduce a biometric identity card.

Swiss citizens who want the document can order it through their cantonal passport office. The rollout applies to Swiss nationals, including people with dual nationality. The government has not made the new card compulsory. Existing non-biometric identity cards will remain usable until their expiry, giving holders no immediate reason to replace them.

The change brings Switzerland closer to the document standards used across the European Union. Fedpol said EU countries have issued only biometric identity cards since 2021 for security reasons. A biometric Swiss card is therefore recommended for people who use their identity card to travel within EU member states.

For residents who use the card only as proof of identity in Switzerland, the current non-biometric version remains sufficient. The policy leaves the decision with individual citizens, while creating a travel document designed to meet evolving European requirements.

The card’s chip will contain a facial image and two fingerprints. Fedpol says those biometric identifiers will strengthen protection against misuse, following the same broad security approach used for the Swiss biometric passport.

The chip links the physical document to the cardholder’s recorded identity features. That gives authorities and border officials a way to verify whether the document belongs to the person presenting it. Fedpol described the measure as reinforced protection against abuse, though its announcement did not provide figures on fraud levels or explain the technical specifications of the card’s chip.

The new document will serve two functions recognised in the source material: it will identify the holder officially and support travel within the European Union. Swiss citizens who cross borders regularly may therefore find the biometric option more practical as European document requirements continue to develop.

The launch also preserves an element of Swiss choice. People who do not need the additional travel functionality can continue using a non-biometric identity card for domestic identification. The government’s framework does not require citizens to surrender valid cards or enrol in the new system immediately.

The EU travel rule comes with a transition period for existing Swiss cards. Fedpol said non-biometric identity cards issued before the new card arrives can still be used for travel within the EU until their expiry date.

That provision means Swiss travellers do not face an immediate replacement deadline. A valid conventional card remains relevant for holidays, business trips and other journeys within the EU, even after November 2, 2026. When the document expires, holders can then decide whether the biometric version suits their needs.

The government’s explanation reflects Switzerland’s position outside the European Union while maintaining close practical ties with its member states. Swiss citizens frequently cross European borders, and identity cards offer a lighter travel document than passports for destinations that accept them. Fedpol has presented the biometric card as a way to preserve that freedom of movement in the future.

Travellers should still check the entry rules for their destination before departure. The announcement establishes the card’s availability and its intended role, but it does not list individual countries or set out every border procedure. The cantonal passport offices will handle applications and provide the practical information needed by applicants.

The biometric identity card and Switzerland’s future e-ID are separate projects. Fedpol describes the biometric card as an official physical identity and travel document. The e-ID will eventually allow people to prove who they are online, but it will not be accepted as a travel document.

That distinction matters as Switzerland expands digital public services. The biometric card stores information on a physical chip and is designed for presentation during identity checks. The e-ID belongs to the digital sphere, where users may need to authenticate themselves for online services once the system is introduced.

The e-ID timetable has been delayed, according to the linked background report. Its future arrival does not change the November launch of the biometric card. Swiss citizens therefore face two different developments with separate purposes and schedules: one concerns a secure physical document, while the other concerns online identification.

Applicants seeking a document for travel should apply for the biometric card through their cantonal passport office. People looking for a way to identify themselves online will need to follow the separate e-ID process when the federal system becomes available.

Applications will open through Switzerland’s cantonal passport offices on November 2, 2026. The federal announcement gives eligible citizens a choice rather than imposing a replacement programme.

Swiss nationals, including dual nationals, can request the new document through the passport office responsible for their canton. Applicants who use an identity card only within Switzerland can continue with the non-biometric version. Those who travel in the EU may prefer the biometric card because Fedpol recommends it for movement within EU states.

The decision will often depend on timing. A citizen with a valid non-biometric card can keep using it until expiry, while someone applying for a first card or renewing a document can assess whether the biometric option offers a useful advantage. The government has not said that every resident must switch or provided a single national replacement date.

Cantonal offices will be the point of contact for application procedures. Swiss citizens should consult their canton’s passport office before applying, particularly if they hold dual nationality, need the card for imminent travel or want to confirm which document best fits their circumstances.