On 16 December 2025, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA launched the consultation on the partially revised Circular 2016/7 “Video and online identification”. The consultation will go on until 27 February 2026.
FINMA regularly adapts Circular 2016/7 “Video and online identification” to reflect the latest technological developments. This partial revision of the Circular takes particular account of the developments associated with the Federal Act on Electronic Identity Credentials and Other Electronic Credentials, which is expected to enter into force in mid-2026. The planned amendment to the law will give electronic identity credentials (E-ID) the status of an identity document.
In Switzerland, the E-ID should work like a digital identity card and enable digital identification between private individuals and authorities. Financial intermediaries should be able to offer the E-ID as an option for the AMLA-compliant digital opening of client relationships.
