From physical forms to digital wallet credentials

Opening an account, switching insurance, or changing your address: today, such processes often mean forms, media breaks, and identification hurdles. The state e-ID, on which Switzerland votes on September 28, 2025, is intended to eliminate exactly these complicated processes. With the e-ID, verified credentials are shared directly from a wallet and verified cryptographically. The benefits for companies: faster onboarding, less fraud, better user experience, and lower processing costs.

 

Learnings from past mistakes

The first e-ID proposal was rejected on March 7, 2021, with 64.4% “No” votes, primarily due to data protection concerns and the role of private providers. The new proposal addresses this criticism:

  • Sovereignty with the state: The federal government issues the e-ID and operates the trust infrastructure. Use remains voluntary and free of charge for citizens. The analog route therefore remains possible.
  • Privacy by design: Identity data is stored decentrally in the users’ wallet. Thanks to selective disclosure, only the necessary information is shared with the company that accepts the e-ID as an identification document: for example, the company only receives confirmation that a buyer is over 18, but not the full date of birth). No central data collection point for personal data is created.
  • Open standards, compatible with cIAM: The technology is based on Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Verifiable Credentials. It integrates into existing journeys and protocols (e.g., OIDC).
  • More than just an e-ID: The law also creates the basis for further electronic credentials (e.g., proof of residence, membership card) via the state infrastructure.
  • European tailwind: With eIDAS 2.0 and the introduction of the EUDI Wallet, interoperability and expectations are rising. Customers increasingly expect wallet-based credentials.

 

e-ID Use Cases: Fewer Media Breaks, More Customer Experience

Banking & Insurance: Onboarding in Seconds

Onboarding without media breaks is hardly possible today: print forms, sign physically, and scan them—only then do manual checks, video identification, and postal mailings come into play. Companies lose customers and revenue due to complicated, multi-step onboarding processes. Average costs are estimated at CHF 50 per onboarding case.

With the e-ID based on Self-Sovereign Identities (SSI), customers share signed attributes (e.g., name, date of birth, residence, employment status, income) directly from the wallet, and the institution verifies the signatures cryptographically without additional manual rework.

Processing time thus drops from days to seconds, drop-offs measurably decrease, and account or policy sign-ups are possible around the clock.

 

Account Lifecycle: Self-Service Instead of Call Center

Password resets, re-enrollment, or master data changes often still run via postal mail, call-center legitimation, or video identification. They are therefore costly, slow, and error-prone.

With the e-ID, customers authenticate themselves using a wallet credential. The system verifies the signature and executes the process based on risk—for example, for address or name changes as well as device changes.

As a result, customer satisfaction rises, account abuse drops significantly, and the support department is relieved.

 

Gen-Z Ready: Mobile-first journeys

Younger target groups are often on the go without a physical wallet or physical IDs. The smartphone is fully sufficient for payments or train travel. This expectation carries over into other areas of life. They expect self-service and onboarding on the smartphone: immediate, self-directed, and paperless.

With the e-ID, the verified credential resides in the wallet. It is presented in-branch or online with a tap on the smartphone. Cash withdrawals, address or device changes, and various other services thus work without a physical ID.

This increases conversion, “time-to-yes” drops to seconds, and support contacts decline.

 

At a glance: The benefits for companies

  • Lower costs: Fewer manual checks, fewer identification sessions, fewer follow-up queries. From about CHF 50 per onboarding case to a few rappen per verification.
  • Higher conversion: Fewer media breaks, fewer form errors, and faster decisions.
  • Less fraud: Signed, verifiable credentials reduce fake identities and social engineering.
  • Compliance & data protection: Data minimization and selective disclosure are built in by default.
  • Time-to-Yes: Account, policy, or contract in minutes instead of days.

 

The technology behind the e-ID

The e-ID is based on Self-Sovereign Identity with Verifiable Credentials in a wallet, selective disclosure, and cryptographically signed credentials. Airlock connects these SSI credentials to your existing login and customer processes via established protocols such as OpenID Connect, OAuth, and SAML, and enforces policies consistently along the journey. As an upstream protection and control layer, Airlock ensures that only verified attributes reach your applications. Where necessary, Airlock 2FA complements the flow seamlessly.

 

Ready for the e-ID? Take the Readiness Check

Our e-ID readiness check combines a structured ideation workshop with a short technical review by our security experts. This quickly gives you clarity on use cases and decision-making foundations for technical implementation. You will receive:

  • Prioritized use cases for your cIAM and authentication journeys
  • Implementable pilot flows (including risk assessment)
  • A concise report with recommendations and prioritization

More about the readiness check.

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