E-IDs & imputed rental value: A guide to the Swiss referendums on September 28

On Sunday, September 28, Switzerland will head to the polls to vote on two major country-wide proposals. Some other issues will also be voted on at a local level in 10 Swiss cantons. Here’s what you need to know about the referendums taking place next month.

What’s being voted on in Switzerland on September 28, 2025?

There are two major federal proposals on the agenda for the referendum on September 28: e-IDs and the abolition of the imputed rental value tax.

E-IDs

After its first proposal for an electronic proof of identity (e-ID) was rejected in 2021 due to data protection concerns, the Swiss government has returned with a new proposal, only to have it pushed to a referendum again, after several committees came out in opposition. 

The e-ID would function like a digital identity card that could be loaded onto your mobile phone, and would allow holders to prove their identity or age when using online digital services or shopping. Using it would be voluntary and free of charge, and issued to both people with Swiss citizenship and people with residence permits. 

Arguing that people need a way to identify themselves online without a physical document, the federal government has touted the e-ID as a “modern, trustworthy and secure digital ID”. Not only could it allow people to use government services online - for instance, applying for a driving licence, logging into government portals, or obtaining a diploma or proof of residence - but also prove their age when buying restricted goods online. 

The “No to the e-ID law” committee, which is opposed to the initiative, has argued that the e-ID endangers privacy and democracy. They fear that the e-ID would create the basis for large tech companies to use personal data for commercial purposes; for instance, companies could require their customers to provide an e-ID to register or make a purchase, and thereby collect government-verified personal data. 

They also expressed concerns about the potential for this personal data to be used for profiling and targeted advertising, for instance, on social media platforms during election campaigns. 

The government has countered this by saying it would be responsible for the e-ID’s technical infrastructure and would guarantee privacy protection and the “self-determined handling of personal data”. They said authorities and businesses would only be allowed to request and store data from the e-ID that is necessary for their specific purposes - for instance, a website selling alcohol could request the buyer’s date of birth, but nothing else. 

Abolition of imputed rental value tax

The other national issue being voted on on September 28 is the replacement of imputed rental value with a new tax on second homes. 

Last December, the Swiss parliament voted to abolish the imputed rental value tax for primary and secondary homes - a kind of tax levied on property owners in Switzerland. However, this move would lead to huge losses in tax revenue for several Swiss cantons, particularly those with big tourism industries. 

The parliament therefore approved a second, linked measure that would allow the cantons to impose a new special tax on homes that are not the owner’s primary residence. This requires a constitutional amendment to enforce, so the issue has to be put to a referendum. The two measures have been linked, meaning one cannot come into force without the other. 

The proposal is being supported by conservative and centrist parties, who argue that it will eliminate obstacles standing in the way of home ownership in Switzerland. The FDP has described the imputed rental value as an unfair tax on income that doesn’t exist, Watson reports.

Most left-wing parties are against the proposal, arguing that homeowners should not get preferential treatment over people who rent in Switzerland. The SP is arguing that the change will mostly benefit wealthy homeowners, while also putting financial pressure on the cantons, which will see their revenue decrease. 

Local referendum issues

Various other local issues will also be going to a vote on September 28. In total, votes will be held on more than 30 different issues in more than 10 cantons - from restrictions on the use of leaf blowers in Zurich to a relaxation of the ban on events on public holidays in Thurgau. A by-election for the cantonal government is also taking place in Geneva. 

What is the expected result?

According to initial surveys, both of the national proposals stand a good chance of being approved, although there is generally more scepticism towards the e-ID. According to a poll conducted by Leewas on behalf of 20 Minuten and Tamedia, around 56 percent of respondents support the introduction of the e-ID, while 65 percent are in favour of abolishing the imputed rental value.