Digital Identification with e-ID

Technologically sound but with room to grow

This September, Switzerland will vote on the introduction of a government-issued e-ID. Short for "electronic identity," the e-ID is a digital ID issued by the federal government and stored on a smartphone. Its aim is to simplify identification in everyday situations, like age verification, opening a bank account, or accessing online government services like tax platforms.

The idea: Instead of presenting a physical passport or ID, a smartphone will be enough. This applies to situations where official identification is currently required such as signing a mobile phone contract, during police checks, at airport security, or when collecting registered mail. In the future, the e-ID on a smartphone could serve this purpose. It also facilitates digital processes that currently involve manual steps like uploading or scanning an ID—for example, when opening a bank account online, requesting a criminal record extract, or logging into e-government portals.

It’s important to note that the e-ID does not replace a passport or identity card. For now, it can only be used within Switzerland and is not valid as a travel document abroad.

A practical example: How the e-ID could be used in everyday life

Age verification at the supermarket checkout

1. A product with an age restriction (e.g., alcohol) is scanned at the checkout.
2. The system displays a QR code on the screen.
3. The customer opens the e-ID app ("swiyu") on their smartphone and scans the QR code.
4. The app shows the requested information—for example: “Over 16?” or “Over 18?” The exact date of birth is not shared.
5. The customer consents to the data request in the app.
6. The app confirms to the checkout system: Yes, the customer meets the age requirement.

The use of the e-ID follows the principle of data minimization: only the information required for a specific purpose is shared—nothing more. In the case of an age check at a supermarket checkout, for example, the app simply confirms whether the person is over 18. No name or date of birth is disclosed. No personal data is stored or transmitted—neither by the store nor by the government. The government only verifies the technical status of the e-ID—whether it is valid, expired, or revoked.

This ensures that authorities or third parties cannot draw any conclusions about a person’s purchasing behavior or the type of service being accessed.

Only companies and government agencies that have been officially registered and verified by the federal government are allowed to request information via the e-ID. In other words: Any entity that wants to query the e-ID using a QR code must be authorized in advance, with clearly defined purposes and interfaces. The legal and technical frameworks for this are currently still being developed.

And what if someone tries to access your ID data without permission? Your information remains protected. When a QR code is scanned, the app first checks whether the requesting party is trustworthy and transparently displays what information is being requested. Nothing is transmitted without your active consent. If permission is not granted, the identification is aborted—no data is shared. This gives users full control over when and with whom their personal information is disclosed.

Our prototype shows: Should the e-ID be launched, fidentity is ready. The left-hand example illustrates how the e-ID can be seamlessly integrated into our identification solution IDENT—as an equal option alongside a passport or ID card. Users choose for themselves which identification method they prefer.

On the right, the app shows the next step: fidentity appears as a verified party and requests specific ID data. The “swiyu” app displays which details are being requested—for example, name, facial image, or ID number. The release of this data is strictly controlled: with a tap, users decide whether or not to share their information.

Opportunities and Challenges

A look across Europe shows that countries like Austria, Italy, and France are using e-IDs where they offer real value—such as for filing tax returns, digital driver’s licenses, or secure electronic communication with public authorities. In Switzerland, such “killer use cases” have not yet been clearly defined.

At the same time, technical and regulatory challenges remain. The market launch is not expected before the third quarter of 2026. Key aspects—such as integration with existing systems, onboarding via the “swiyu” app, and the technical interfaces for companies—are still under development. Cross-border use, for example in alignment with the European EUDI framework, is also not planned at this stage.

Still a Must: Why the QES isn’t going anywhere

The e-ID is an ID—not a signature. The e-ID serves as a digital form of identification. However, this alone is not sufficient for legally binding declarations of intent. For contracts that require a specific legal form, a qualified electronic signature (QES) is still necessary. A QES goes far beyond simple identification: It includes a verified identity check, a certified signature creation device, and a qualified certificate issued by a trusted service provider.

This means: Even though the e-ID introduces a new way to verify identity, it does not change the legal requirements for a qualified electronic signature (QES). QES remains the gold standard for legally binding digital signatures—in both Switzerland (ZertES) and the EU (eIDAS).

Learn more about the different types of electronic signatures and their legal validity in our blog posts:

• Are digital signatures legally valid in Switzerland?
• Electronic signatures explained

Conclusion: A new Way to Identify—but no legal Substitute

Whether—and how quickly—the e-ID will gain traction in the market remains to be seen. The deciding factor is not just the technology itself, but how effectively it integrates with real-world processes. Without practical use cases and clearly defined regulatory frameworks, the e-ID will—for now—remain just another form of ID: with potential, but with open questions still to answer.

For companies already using digital onboarding processes, little will change in the short term. If introduced, the e-ID will simply become an additional identification method—alongside passports and ID cards. Users will benefit from greater choice, without disrupting existing systems.

At fidentity, we’re ready. Our solution IDENT already supports multiple identification methods, and the e-ID will be seamlessly integrated—just like any other ID type. It will also be fully compatible with our certified QES workflows. This means we continue to offer secure, flexible, and legally compliant digital identification—today and in the future.