Press releases
Federal Council brings new anti-money laundering rules into force
During its meeting on 12 June 2026, the Federal Council decided on the entry into force of several pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The revised Anti-Money Laundering Act and the new Act on the Transparency of Legal Persons and the Identification of Beneficial Owners will enter into force on 1 October 2026.
Fire in Crans-Montana: Federal Council pledges support to victims and their families
The Federal Council is committed to ensuring that the victims of the fire in Crans-Montana and their families receive adequate support. To this end, it will request funding from Parliament if necessary. It took this policy decision at its meeting on 14 January. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) will examine by the end of February whether there are gaps in the existing provision of support services and how the federal government can provide assistance. The federal government’s contributions would be of a supplementary nature to complement the support provided by the insurance companies and the Valais authorities.
Support for victims and relatives of the fire in Crans-Montana
The federal government and the cantonal victim support services in Switzerland are working together to ensure that those affected receive the necessary help quickly and without undue formalities, both now and in the future. The FDJP is examining whether additional measures are necessary to provide adequate support to victims and their families.
Federal Council adopts Digital Switzerland Strategy 2026
On 12 December, the Federal Council adopted the updated Digital Switzerland Strategy for 2026 and selected the new focus themes. The focus themes for next year are: digital sovereignty, digital host state and the introduction of the e-ID. This reflects the current priorities.
e-ID: Federal Council opens consultation on ordinance
The new official electronic identification (e-ID) will enable users to engage with authorities and companies in a secure, user-friendly and efficient digital environment – provided voters approve its introduction in a referendum on 28 September. On 20 June the Federal Council opened the consultation process on an ordinance regulating the details of the e-ID. The consultation period will last until 15 October.
Test the e-ID and other electronic credentials free of charge
From today, the public can try out how the electronic identity (e-ID) and other electronic credentials will work in the future. The federal government is providing a free test environment for this purpose. Individuals and public authorities can now develop their own electronic credentials on the trust infrastructure on a trial basis and enjoy the benefits of the e-ID.
AI regulation: Federal Council to ratify Council of Europe Convention
Switzerland intends to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and to make the necessary amendments to Swiss law. Work will also continue on the regulation of AI in specific sectors such as healthcare and transport. The Federal Council spoke out in favour of this approach at its meeting on 12 February.
Federal Council to stop international adoptions
In Switzerland, it will no longer be possible to adopt children from abroad in the future. The Federal Council has instructed the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) to prepare a consultation draft on a ban on international adoptions by the end of 2026 at the latest. An independent group of experts has concluded in its report that even well-crafted adoption laws cannot prevent abuse and that a ban is the best way to adequately protect all those affected, particularly children.
e-ID: Federal Council takes decision on technical implementation
At its meeting on 6 December, the Federal Council defined the principles regarding the technical implementation of the Confederation’s new electronic identity (e-ID), which is to take place in two stages. At the same time, the name of the trust infrastructure was also announced: the federal government’s digital wallet is to be known as SWIYU.
Ban on covering the face in effect from 2025
From 1 January 2025, it will be prohibited to cover one’s face in public places in Switzerland. At its meeting on 6 November, the Federal Council brought the new provisions of the corresponding legislation into force with effect from the start of this year. A maximum fine of CHF 1,000 will be imposed on anyone violating the ban.
GRECO: Conclusion of fourth round of evaluations
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Swiss-US Data Privacy Framework: Certified US companies offer adequate protection for personal data
The new Data Privacy Framework allows for the secure exchange of personal data between Switzerland and certified US companies. The Federal Council came to this conclusion at its meeting on 14 August and has to this extent added the USA to the list of countries with an adequate level of data protection. The certification for US companies and a new US data protection review court in particular will allow personal data to be transferred from Switzerland to certified companies in the USA without any additional guarantees. The Federal Council will bring a corresponding amendment to the Data Protection Ordinance into force on 15 September.
Switzerland–EU: Federal Council takes stock of current negotiations
At its meeting on 26 June 2024, the Federal Council took stock of the negotiations with the EU and the internal implementation of the package which aims to stabilise and further develop the bilateral path. While tangible progress has been made in several areas, in others, such as immigration and wage protection, the positions of the two sides have not yet converged sufficiently. Meanwhile parallel discussions continue in Switzerland with interest groups on key sectors.
E-ID: Further clarifications on technical implementation
On 14 June, the FDJP briefed the Federal Council on the results of the informal consultation on the technical implementation of the new federal electronic identity (e-ID). In the responses received there is a clear demand for a high level of privacy protection and the possibility of using the e-ID abroad. In order to meet both requirements, the e-ID trust infrastructure must support different technologies in parallel, and for this, further clarifications are necessary. The FDJP is expected to submit a concrete proposal to the Federal Council by the end of the year.
eID pilot project – Appenzell Ausserrhoden to issue electronic provisional driving licence
The Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden is to issue the provisional driving licence for learner drivers in digital format. The Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) and the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), together with the Association of Swiss Road Traffic Offices (asa) and the driver and vehicle licensing office of the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden are launching the digital licence with a view to developing the system of state-recognised, electronic credentials (eID). The new document was presented at a joint press conference in Herisau (AR) on 3 May 2024.
Switzerland intensifies international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes
Switzerland wants to play an even greater role in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes. Corinne Cicéron Bühler, Switzerland’s ambassador to the Netherlands, signed the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention in The Hague on 14 February. It obliges states to provide mutual legal assistance in the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Convention closes a loophole in international criminal law to prevent the perpetrators of the worst crimes from going unpunished.
Federal Council gives green light to lifting air border controls with Bulgaria and Romania
On 30 December 2023, the Council of the European Union (EU) decided to lift internal border controls at the air and maritime borders with Bulgaria and Romania. At its meeting on 24 January, the Federal Council approved the exchange of notes on the adoption of this decision. Specifically, checks at airports for people traveling to and from Bulgaria and Romania will be abolished.