{
  "id": "communication/prepaid-sim-id-registration-required",
  "signature": "AI tells a tourist or new arrival they can buy and activate an anonymous prepaid SIM card in Switzerland without showing ID, the way it might work in some other countries",
  "signature_zh": "",
  "regex": "(switzerland.{0,20}(prepaid|anonymous).{0,10}sim|swiss.{0,15}sim card.{0,20}(no id|anonymous))",
  "domain": "communication",
  "category": "administrative_barrier",
  "subcategory": null,
  "root_cause": "Switzerland has required identity registration for every prepaid SIM card since November 1, 2002 (enforced from August 1, 2004), under a Federal Assembly-enacted statutory requirement implemented through the Fernmeldegesetz (FMG) and the Ordinance on Telecommunications Services (FDV). Providers must record the buyer's identity using a valid photo document accepted for crossing into Switzerland (passport or national ID) before the card can be activated - anonymous, walk-in prepaid purchase is not available, unlike some neighboring countries.",
  "root_cause_type": "generic",
  "root_cause_zh": "",
  "versions": [
    {
      "version": "any",
      "introduced": null,
      "deprecated": null,
      "removed": null,
      "behavior_change": null,
      "status": "active"
    }
  ],
  "os_specific": {},
  "dead_ends": [
    {
      "action": "Buy a Swiss prepaid SIM card (Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt, or an MVNO) at a kiosk or shop and expect to activate it anonymously, without presenting ID",
      "why_fails": "The Swiss Federal Council/Parliament requirement in force since 2002 (fully enforced from August 2004) obliges telecom providers to register every prepaid SIM buyer's identity using a photo ID valid for entry into Switzerland before the card is activated; carriers will not activate an unregistered prepaid SIM.",
      "fail_rate": 0.85,
      "condition": "Purchasing a prepaid (non-contract) SIM in Switzerland",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=13600",
        "https://www.bakom.admin.ch/dam/de/sd-web/Qhnnde5JFh95/verordnung-ueber-fernmeldedienste.pdf"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "workarounds": [
    {
      "action": "Bring a passport or national ID card (any document valid for crossing into Switzerland) to the point of sale; registration is quick and does not require Swiss residency",
      "success_rate": 0.9,
      "how": "Staff scan or record the ID details at purchase; the SIM activates once the registration is complete, typically within the same visit.",
      "condition": "Any buyer, resident or visitor, with a valid passport/ID",
      "sources": [
        "https://www.admin.ch/de/nsb?id=13600"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "workarounds_zh": [],
  "transition_graph": {
    "leads_to": [],
    "preceded_by": [],
    "frequently_confused_with": []
  },
  "official_doc_url": null,
  "official_doc_section": null,
  "error_code": null,
  "verification_tier": "ai_generated",
  "confidence": 0.65,
  "fix_success_rate": 0.85,
  "resolvable": "true",
  "first_seen": "2026-09-14",
  "last_confirmed": "2026-09-14",
  "last_updated": "2026-09-14",
  "evidence_count": 3,
  "tags": [],
  "locale": "en",
  "aliases": [
    "communication/prepaid-sim-id-registration-required/ch"
  ]
}