Published on 18 August 2026
Legal bases
Federal Act on Post and Telecommunications Surveillance
What is it about?
The Federal Act on Post and Telecommunications Surveillance (FAPTS) and its implementing ordinances entered into force on 1st March 2018. This gave Switzerland a modern and clear legal basis for the surveillance of post and telecommunications for the prosecution of criminal offences.
- Press release dated 15 November 2017
(in German)
The law and its implementing ordinances have been modified several times. The last modifications are presented hereafter.
- The Federal Council decreed that the modifications of the Ordinance on Post and Telecommunications Surveillance (OPTS) and the Ordinance on the Processing System for Post and Telecommunications Surveillance (PSO-PTS) enter into force on 1st January 2024.
- The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) decreed that the modifications of the Ordinance on the Implementation of the Surveillance of Post and Telecommunications (IO-SPT) also enter into force on 1st January 2024.
- Press release dated 15 November 2023 (in German) with the results of the consultation process, the ordinances and the explanatory report.
- The Federal council decreed that the new Ordinance on the Financing of Post and Telecommunications Surveillance (FO-PTS) enters into force on 1st January 2024. This new ordinance replaces the former Ordinance on the Fees and Compensations for the Surveillance of Post and Telecommunications (FCO-SPT). It introduces the general principle of flat rates.
- Press release dated 15 November 2023 (in German) with the results of the consultation process, the ordinance and the explanatory report.
Resources
(13.025)
- Explanatory report OPTS
- FO-SPT, SR 780.115.1 (Lump sums; from 01.01.2024; in German)
- Explanatory report FO-PTS (in German)
- FO-PTS, SR 780.115.1 (until 31.12.2023; in German)
- Explanatory report FAO-PTS
- PSO-PTS, SR 780.12 (in German)
- Explanatory report PSO-PTS
- 01.01.2024 (in German)
- CO-PTS, SR 780.117 (in German)
- CO-PTS Annex 1 (in German)
- CO-PTS Annex 2 (in German)
- Explanatory report CO-PTS
- 01.01.2024 (in German)
- ABO-PTS, SR 780.112 (in German)
- Explanatory report of the ABO-PTS
(14.022)
- IntelSA, SR 121
- Federal Council Dispatch IntelSA (in German)
- Partial revision IntelSA :
- Consultation document (in German)
- Explanatory report (in German)
(19.032)
- PCTA (AS 2021 565) (in German)
- Dispatch on PCTA (in German)
- Ordinance on Police Counterterrorism Measures (VPMT, AS 2022 301) (in German)
- Explanatory report of the Ordinance on Police Counterterrorism Measures (VPMT) (in German)
(20.067)
- Bundesgesetz dated 19.03.2021 (AS 2021 654), insb. Pauschalen (Art. 38 und Art. 38a BÜPF)
- Dispatch on Bundesgesetz dated 19.03.2021 (in German)
(17.059)