Swiss Voters Approve Digital ID Plan by Slim Margin

Published Date : 9/29/2025 

Swiss citizens have narrowly approved a government plan to introduce a digital ID, with 50.39% of voters in favor. The referendum highlighted significant urban-rural divides and concerns over data privacy and surveillance. 

Swiss citizens narrowly approved a government proposal to introduce a digital ID in a recent referendum, with just 50.39% of voters saying yes. The referendum, held on September 28, saw a significant urban-rural divide, with urban areas, particularly Zurich Canton, strongly supporting the plan while rural and conservative regions largely opposed it.

Less than 8 of the country’s 26 cantons fully supported the digital ID initiative. The government had been campaigning in favor of the digital ID, emphasizing its importance in advancing Switzerland’s digital transformation agenda. The referendum was necessitated by concerns over data privacy and security, despite the government plan having received approval from both chambers of parliament.

Critics of the digital ID plan raised several issues, including surveillance fears, digital exclusion, low levels of trust, and a lack of clarity regarding its importance. The referendum push became concrete when a committee collected at least 50,000 signatures in support of it. Voter turnout for the referendum was 49.99%, a figure considered high for such votes in Switzerland.

The positive referendum results mean that the government will proceed with the plan, which it believes is crucial for advancing digital transformation. However, analysts argue that authorities must better explain the idea and address the challenges it could bring. The government has assured the public that the digital ID will be managed entirely by public authorities and will operate in a decentralized manner, giving citizens control over the data they share.

Political scientist Lukas Golder highlighted the lingering mistrust between the government and the people as a key issue revealed by the referendum. He noted that this mistrust has persisted since the COVID era. Sunday’s referendum was the second vote on the introduction of a digital identity for citizens. In 2021, 64% of voters rejected the digital ID plan due to data privacy concerns.

Once active, the digital ID will be stored on a digital government mobile wallet application called Swiyu, and owning the digital ID will be optional. The digital wallet app was put to public beta testing in March. With the positive referendum results, the digital ID is expected to be rolled out by 2026, according to the government. A budget of over $200 million has been planned for the digital ID verification infrastructure. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the digital ID plan approved by Swiss voters?

A: The digital ID plan is a government initiative to introduce a digital identity for Swiss citizens, which will be stored on a digital government mobile wallet application called Swiyu. The ID will be optional and managed entirely by public authorities.

Q: Why was the referendum necessary?

A: The referendum was necessary due to concerns over data privacy and security, despite the government plan having received approval from both chambers of parliament. Critics raised issues such as surveillance fears, digital exclusion, and low levels of trust.

Q: What was the voter turnout for the referendum?

A: The voter turnout for the referendum was 49.99%, which is considered high for such votes in Switzerland.

Q: When is the digital ID expected to be rolled out?

A: The digital ID is expected to be rolled out by 2026, according to the government.

Q: What is the budget for the digital ID verification infrastructure?

A: A budget of over $200 million has been planned for the digital ID verification infrastructure. 

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