Switzerland launches new biometric identity card

Switzerland’s new biometric identity card becomes available to order on November 2, 2026, giving Swiss citizens another option alongside the existing non-biometric card. The Federal Police, known as Fedpol, says the new document is designed to offer stronger protection against misuse and support travel within the European Union.

The change is a choice, not a compulsory exchange. Swiss citizens who want the biometric version can apply through their cantonal passport office, while those who prefer their current type of card can keep using it. Existing non-biometric cards remain valid for EU travel until their expiry date.

The launch brings the Swiss identity card into line with a European shift that began in 2021, when EU countries moved to issuing biometric identity cards for security reasons. For people who travel within the EU, Fedpol recommends the biometric option. For identification within Switzerland alone, the non-biometric card remains sufficient.

A chip containing a facial image and two fingerprints is the defining feature of the new card. Fedpol says the biometric information is intended to reinforce protection against abuse, following the same model used in the Swiss biometric passport.

That makes the card useful for Swiss citizens who want an identity document suited to travel as well as everyday identification. Fedpol recommends a biometric card for journeys within EU member states. The new card is an official identity and travel document, while a standard non-biometric card remains sufficient for people who use their ID only within Switzerland.

The biometric features do not mean every cardholder must switch. Fedpol says citizens will be able to choose between the two types according to their needs. That preserves the existing non-biometric option while adding a card that aligns with the biometric standards EU countries have applied to identity cards since 2021.

Current non-biometric cards do not need to be replaced early. Fedpol says they can continue to be used for travel within the EU until their expiry date, and there is no general obligation for citizens to obtain the new version.

That leaves Swiss residents with a practical decision when they next need an identity card: choose the biometric card if they want the option recommended for EU travel, or retain the non-biometric format if they use the document only for identification in Switzerland. The new card is available to Swiss citizens, including dual nationals, through their cantonal passport office.

The distinction matters because the two card types are both national identity documents, but the new biometric features bring an additional travel-oriented benefit. The launch therefore gives citizens a route to a document aligned with current EU requirements without making existing cards immediately obsolete.

The biometric identity card is not Switzerland’s e-ID. Fedpol describes the new card as an official identity and travel document. The e-ID, expected at a future date, is intended to let people prove their identity online and cannot be used for travel.

Swiss citizens who want the new physical card can apply at their cantonal passport office. That includes dual nationals. The application route keeps the process within the existing cantonal network for passport services, while the choice of biometric or non-biometric card remains with each citizen.

For travellers, the practical guidance is clear: Fedpol recommends the biometric card for journeys within the EU, while current non-biometric cards remain valid for such travel until expiry. For domestic identification, the non-biometric option is sufficient. Switzerland’s launch adds a new document choice while keeping the distinction between physical travel documents and digital proof of identity clear.