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AI regulation in Switzerland

Source-linked · checked 11 Sep 2026 2 instruments · 0 binding

Overview

Switzerland is outside the EU and does not apply the AI Act. In February 2025 the Federal Council decided its approach: ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI, make targeted sector-specific legal changes (transparency, data protection, non-discrimination) rather than a horizontal AI law, and rely on non-binding measures such as industry self-regulation; a consultation draft was due by the end of 2026. The 2020 guidelines on AI for the Federal Administration and the Competence Network for AI (CNAI) guide public-sector use.

What is the current regulatory status?

No horizontal AI law; Federal Council approach (2025): Council of Europe convention plus sector rules; federal AI guidelines (2020).

Binding rules versus guidance

Binding: none recorded. Strategy or guidance: Federal Council AI regulatory approach (2025); Guidelines on AI for the Federal Administration (2020).

Key policy instruments

Switzerland Policy Adopted

Federal Council AI regulatory approach (2025)

Federal Council decision on the regulation of artificial intelligence: ratification of the Council of Europe Convention and sector-specific adjustments

On 12 February 2025 the Federal Council decided how Switzerland will regulate AI: it will ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and implement it mainly through targeted changes to existing law where needed (for example transparency, data protection and non-discrimination), avoid a horizontal AI act, and complement legislation with non-binding measures such as self-regulation and agreements with industry. Federal departments were tasked to prepare a consultation draft by the end of 2026.

Adopted 12 Feb 2025 Source-linked · checked 11 Sep 2026 Official source
Switzerland Guidance Guidance

Guidelines on AI for the Federal Administration (2020)

Leitlinien "Künstliche Intelligenz" für den Bund

Adopted in November 2020, seven guidelines steer the use of AI by the federal administration: putting people at the centre, conditions for development and use, transparency and explainability, accountability, security, active participation in AI governance, and involvement of stakeholders.

Adopted 25 Nov 2020 Source-linked · checked 11 Sep 2026 Official source

Upcoming deadlines

Upcoming deadlines in Switzerland
DateMilestoneInstrument
Consultation draft on ratification and legal amendments
confidence: medium
Federal Council AI regulatory approach (2025)

Current priorities

Drafting the ratification and sector-law package, transparency and data-protection rules for AI, CNAI coordination.

Latest changes

Applicable sectors, use cases and obligation areas

Obligation areas

How to use this information

  1. Open the official source on each instrument before relying on any date or obligation.
  2. Treat strategies and guidance as signals of coming regulation, not as binding requirements.
  3. Check data-protection, consumer, employment and sector law that applies to AI systems regardless of AI-specific instruments.

Official government and regulator sources

  1. Federal Council wants to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on AI (press release, 12 February 2025)
    Swiss Federal Council · 2025-02-12 · Tier 1 source

Frequently asked questions

Does the EU AI Act apply in Switzerland?
Not directly. Swiss companies placing AI systems on the EU market must comply with it, but Switzerland has chosen a sector-by-sector approach anchored in the Council of Europe convention.

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Informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult qualified counsel before acting.