FINMA announced on 8 October that its revised video and online identification circular will take effect on 1 November 2026. The text, adopted on 23 September, adds a Swiss e-ID route, accommodates eligible QR-based identity documents and updates safeguards against impersonation.[1][2]
The revision follows consultation from December 2025 to February 2026. It updates the evidence and checks available for digital customer identification within the existing anti-money-laundering framework.[3][1]
Requirements by onboarding route
| Provision | Requirement or permission | Implementation scope |
|---|---|---|
| 44.1–44.4: e-ID | Check issuance to the applicant and validity; verify residence, perform liveness detection and document the process. | Separate credential, applicant and residence checks.Source 2 |
| 37.1: residence | An equivalent digital process may reliably link the applicant and their infrastructure to a residence. | An equivalent digital method for the residence requirement.Source 2 |
| 39 and 54: qualified signature | Residence verification and liveness adjustments receive a one-year technical transition from entry into force. | Limited to technical changes for the qualified-signature route.Source 2 |
Keep each identity check visible
The permitted routes address document authenticity, the link to a live applicant and residence. A valid credential alone cannot answer all three questions. The operational record should identify the evidence and checks used for the particular route.[1][2]
The qualified-signature transition
Margin number 54 provides one year from entry into force for the technical changes to residence verification and liveness detection under the qualified-electronic-signature route in margin number 39. The other changes retain their applicable 1 November start.[2]
A provider supporting several methods should therefore map each process to its own requirements and transition. Adoption on 23 September, announcement on 8 October and entry into force on 1 November are distinct dates in that implementation.[1][2]
Sources & further reading
- FINMA revises its circular on video and online identification FINMA · 8 Oct 2026 · Accessed 20 Oct 2026
- Circular 2016/7: Video and online identification, amended 23 September 2026 (English) FINMA · Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- FINMA consults on revision of video and online identification circular FINMA · 16 Dec 2025 · Accessed 20 Oct 2026