Swiss Biometric ID Cards Go on Sale From 2 November, Non-Biometric Option Stays

Swiss citizens will be able to apply for a new biometric identity card from 2 November, when the document goes on sale through cantonal identity and passport offices and Swiss representations abroad. The card is optional: the existing non-biometric identity card will continue to be issued alongside it.

Key facts

• Available from: 2 November
• Where to apply: cantonal identity and passport offices and Swiss representations abroad
• Cost: CHF 65 for adults (US$79) — the same as the current identity card
• Stored data: a facial biometric image and two fingerprints on a chip
• Choice: both biometric and non-biometric cards remain available

What is changing?

Switzerland is adding a chip-based identity card to its range of identity documents. Like the Swiss biometric passport, the new card holds a facial biometric image and two fingerprints on a chip, which authorities say gives extra protection against manipulation and counterfeiting.

The fee stays at the level of the current card: CHF 65 for adults (US$79). No other fees are stated.

Who is affected?

The new card is aimed at Swiss citizens who travel within the European Union or want a document that can be electronically read and verified. The existing non-biometric card, which has no chip and stores no biometric data, will still be available for people who mainly need to prove their identity inside Switzerland.

Non-biometric Swiss identity cards issued before the change remain valid for travel to the EU until their expiry date, subject to the proposed Bilaterals III framework. Switzerland is not an EU member state but is part of the Schengen Area, which allows passport-free travel. EU member states have issued only biometric identity cards since 2021 for security reasons.

How is this different from the Swiss e-ID?

Authorities have stressed that the biometric identity card and Switzerland's planned electronic identity (e-ID) are separate documents. The biometric card is a physical identity and travel document, while the e-ID is a digital credential for online identification and access to digital services. The e-ID is not valid for travel.

What this means for travellers

Swiss citizens who travel within the EU can choose the biometric card if they want a document that can be read and verified electronically. Those who only need to prove their identity within Switzerland can keep applying for the non-biometric card. Existing non-biometric cards do not need to be replaced before they expire.

The launch on 2 November is the next step in a process that began with legal consultations on biometric ID cards. Switzerland is keeping two physical identity card options, unlike many EU states where biometric cards have become the sole national identity document.