eGovernment MONITOR 2026
Each year since 2010, the eGovernment MONITOR has compared the use and provision of eGovernment services in three countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For the 2026 eGovernment survey, the population was asked about the use of online services in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The survey period was April and May 2026. The study was published on 29 September 2026 by Initiative D21 and the Technical University of Munich.
This page summarises the main results of the eGovernment MONITOR 2026 for Switzerland.
Trust in the state
Switzerland continues to demonstrate a high level of trust in state institutions: 59% – significantly higher than in Germany (32%) and Austria (41%).
Expectations of digital public services
This year, 45% of respondents in Switzerland stated that their expectations in terms of modern and digital public services were met – significantly more than in Germany (15%) and Austria (32%).
Improvements to digital services
Improvements to digital services are also viewed positively in Switzerland: in both Switzerland and Austria, a quarter of the population perceived a significant improvement. In Germany, the figure is only one in ten.
AI usage is rising sharply – in Switzerland too
Weekly use of AI-based solutions at work and in everyday life is rising significantly in Switzerland: 38% (2026) compared with 19% (2024). This puts Switzerland on a similar level to Germany and Austria.
Once-only principle
Swiss people have a generally positive attitude towards the once-only principle: 40%. In Germany, the figure was 41%, and in Austria 45%.
56 % of the Swiss population welcome the once-only principle, whilst just 16% reject it.
When it comes to the trade-off, Switzerland appears to be more data-sensitive than its neighbouring countries: 50% would like to be asked each time their data is used, whilst 37% prefer having to make the least effort possible. In Germany and Austria, the figures are exactly the reverse.
Digital use in everyday life
Public services continue to be among the areas of life in Switzerland where digital use is lowest. Two areas in particular came in last:
- Health: 38% digital use
- Public services: 42% digital use
Despite progress, public services still lag behind other areas of everyday life such as finance (64%), mobility (56%) and communication (56%).
Support services
Swiss people make particularly frequent use of support services when dealing with public authorities – especially telephone support.
- 65% telephone contact with public authorities
- 47% help from family and friends
- 42% on-site support
This shows that, whilst digital services are being used, human support remains crucial.
Dealing with administrative matters
In Switzerland, most matters relating to public services are dealt with digitally. Digital channels are used significantly more than in Germany.
Switzerland (similar to Austria):
- 53% entirely online
- 28% entirely analogue
- 19% partly digital, partly analogue
Germany:
- 50% entirely analogue
- 26% entirely online
This makes Switzerland one of the leading digital nations in the DACH region, whilst Germany remains heavily analogue.
Conclusion
Switzerland presents a clear, positive overall picture in the eGovernment MONITOR 2026. Expectations of modern digital public services are met significantly more often than in Germany and Austria, and trust in the state is the highest among the DACH countries. The population is making increasingly active use of digital services – the use of AI has grown particularly sharply since 2024.
Switzerland is open to the once-only principle but remains sensitive to data issues: many people still wish to decide for themselves when their data is used. At the same time, the awareness of digital services has improved noticeably, even though the need for human support – such as contacting public authorities by telephone – remains high.
When it comes to dealing with administrative matters, Switzerland is significantly more digital than Germany: over half the population handles their affairs entirely online.
Overall, Switzerland presents itself as a digitally savvy country that recognises progress and proactively uses digital public services – albeit with clear expectations regarding data protection, transparency and reliable support.