Author: news.admin.ch

Executive Summary

Switzerland is launching a consultation procedure for a new national Eurodac regulation to implement the adoption of the EU migration pact. The regulation creates uniform rules for data entry in the foreign nationals and asylum sectors and regulates access by authorities, data protection, and cooperation with third countries. The consultation period ends on 25 May 2026.

Persons

  • Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP)

Topics

  • Migration and asylum law
  • Biometric data collection
  • EU-Switzerland cooperation
  • Data protection and security

Clarus Lead

The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) is launching a consultation procedure for the new national Eurodac regulation. This regulation is necessary to implement the EU migration pact in Switzerland and to standardize biometric data collection in the foreign nationals and asylum sector. Relevant for decision-makers in authorities, NGOs and the private sector: The regulation defines for the first time uniform interfaces, access criteria and data protection standards for all participating institutions. The public consultation runs until 25 May 2026.

Detailed Summary

The new Eurodac regulation creates a uniform basis for the management of biometric and personal data in the migration and security context. It mandatorily regulates how fingerprints, facial images and other identification data are collected, stored and exchanged between authorities. The National Access Point (NAP) serves as a central interface for data access by visa and ETIAS authorities as well as security authorities.

The regulation also stipulates the conditions under which police and judicial authorities may access Eurodac data in order to prevent and investigate terrorist or serious criminal offences. At the same time, comprehensive data protection provisions are anchored, including regulations on the transfer to third countries. The role of specialists for biometric data validation is formally defined for the first time.

Key Statements

  • Uniform Regulation: The regulation creates standardized procedures for all users and authorities in the migration and asylum sector.
  • Security and Data Protection: Clear provisions for data access by law enforcement authorities with simultaneous protective measures.
  • International Harmonisation: Implementation of the EU migration pact strengthens interoperability between Swiss and European systems.
  • Consultation Phase: Until 25 May 2026, stakeholders can submit comments.

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality and Validation: What quality standards and error rates are acceptable for biometric data, and how are erroneous entries corrected?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: To what extent can security authorities and migration authorities act independently of each other, or do incentives arise for excessive data use?

  3. Access Criteria: How specifically are the thresholds for "terrorist or serious criminal offences" defined, and who monitors compliance with these limits?

  4. Data Protection and Third Countries: What guarantees exist that data transmitted to third countries will not be misused for political repression?

  5. Expertise and Training: How are fingerprint and facial image experts trained and certified to minimize misclassifications?

  6. Technical Implementation: What security measures protect the NAP from cyber attacks and unauthorized access?

  7. Transparency and Oversight: Are accesses logged and regularly submitted to an independent authority for review?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Consultation Opening: New National Eurodac Regulation – https://fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/dl/proj/2025/102/cons_1

Verification Status: ✓ 18 February 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 18 February 2026