Switzerland votes through e-IDs and scrapping imputed rental value tax

People in Switzerland have waved through two rather contentious policies: the introduction of a state-run electronic identification (e-ID) and the scrapping of the imputed rental value tax. Here’s what else was decided at the referendum on September 28. 

Switzerland votes to scrap imputed rental value

The people of Switzerland have exercised their democratic right to vote, and e-IDs are coming in, while imputed rental value is on its way out. 

The tax on homeowners had actually already been scrapped last year, but in the face of opposition from the cantons, it was linked to a new proposal to allow them to tax second homes and therefore make up for the loss of income. This proposed tax on second homes was passed at the referendum on Sunday with a majority of 57,7 percent voting in favour. That means that the imputed rental value will almost certainly be scrapped. 

Speaking on Sunday, Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said that it was still unclear when the proposal would take effect. “The reform is unlikely to come into force until 2028 at the earliest,” she said, 20 Minuten reports. 

The results of the vote were noticeably split down the Röstigraben, with Swiss citizens in German-speaking Switzerland voting clearly in favour of scrapping imputed rental value, while those in French-speaking cantons were overwhelmingly against the proposal. 

E-ID narrowly passes referendum vote

The proposal to introduce the e-ID passed much more narrowly, with just 50,4 percent of voters saying yes and only 7,5 cantons in favour (for the purposes of referendums, Switzerland has 20 full cantons and 6 “half cantons”, based on population size). However, as the proposal didn’t require a double majority - where it is backed by a majority of voters and a majority of cantons - it still passed. 

The e-ID scheme will be implemented by the Swiss government and will enable residents of the alpine nation to prove their identity or age safely and securely online, for instance, when using online digital services or shopping. It will be voluntary and free of charge. 

At a press conference after the vote, Federal Councillor Beat Jans said that the e-ID was expected to be introduced “as planned before the end of 2026” and invited those who were critical of the e-ID to participate in shaping the system. He also added that the narrowness of the vote meant the Federal Council would consider whether to make adjustments to the proposal before implementation. 

Monica Amgwerd, who managed the campaign against the e-ID proposal, said that she was pleased her campaign had “raised awareness of the problems inherent in the law.” She added: “Now it’s crucial that parliament makes adjustments and enshrines the voluntary nature of the law.” 

The “No” campaign is also pushing for the vote to be repeated after it was revealed that Swisscom, a federally-affiliated company, contributed financially to the “Yes” campaign. Amgwerd described the company’s “interference” as “unfair” and said the issue had to be addressed to restore trust in democracy. 

Zurich bans leafblowers, Thurgau allows events on public holidays

Elsewhere, Bern passed an initiative that would require landlords to disclose to prospective tenants how much the previous tenant was paying in rent, Schwyz voted to raise salaries for teachers, and Solothurn voted against providing families with more support towards the cost of childcare. 

In Ticino, voters also approved an initiative that would prevent health insurance premiums from exceeding 10 percent of a household’s disposable income by increasing the maximum tax deductible amount for insurance premiums. Vaud rejected a proposal to make it easier for non-Swiss residents to vote and stand in local elections, and Thurgau lifted a ban on non-religious events on some public holidays. 

Finally, in Canton Zurich, voters rejected an initiative that would have brought the canton’s net-zero target forward to 2040, rather than 2050, where it currently stands. However, 61 percent of voters waved through a proposal that called for a ban on petrol-powered leaf blowers.