GPS and worker monitoring, country by country
GPS and worker monitoring in Switzerland
what you need to stay compliant
Updated on June 15, 2026
Competent authority
PFPDT / FDPIC (Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner)Verified on June 15, 2026
What you risk
up to 250,000 CHF, borne by the responsible natural person (not the company), imposed by the cantonal courtsstatutory maximum, not a fine issued
Updated on June 15, 2026
What you need
5For each obligation we tell you whether it applies in this country: Yes means required, It depends means only in certain cases, No means not required.
What you need
For each obligation we tell you whether it applies in this country: Yes means required, It depends means only in certain cases, No means not required.
Ban on systems intended to monitor the behaviour of workers (OLT 3, art. 26)
YesrequiredA cornerstone Swiss rule, stricter than the GDPR: it is forbidden to use systems intended to monitor the behaviour of workers at the workplace. If they are needed for other reasons (safety, production, organisation), they must be designed so as not to harm health and freedom of movement, and a system is forbidden if it aims solely or essentially at monitoring behaviour.
Tribunale federale, ATF 130 II 425 (GPS sui veicoli dei dipendenti; cita OLT 3 art. 26)
Data processing only if it concerns suitability for the job or is necessary for the contract (CO art. 328b)
YesrequiredThe employer may process the worker data only if it concerns their suitability for employment or is necessary for performing the contract, in compliance with good faith and proportionality.
PFPDT/FDPIC, trattamento dei dati da parte del datore di lavoro (CO art. 328b)
Prior authorisation from an authority before installing
Nonot requiredNo prior authorisation from the PFPDT/FDPIC is needed; the employer assesses lawfulness and proportionality on its own.
PFPDT/FDPIC, mezzi tecnici di sorveglianza sul luogo di lavoro
Prior information and consultation of workers; no permanent monitoring of behaviour
YesrequiredWorkers must be informed in advance; continuous, periodic or sample-based surveillance aimed at monitoring behaviour is forbidden; the proportionate and least intrusive means must be chosen.
PFPDT/FDPIC, mezzi tecnici di sorveglianza sul luogo di lavoro
Impact assessment (DPIA, nLPD/revFADP art. 22) if the processing entails a high risk
YesrequiredThe nLPD/revFADP requires an impact assessment when the processing is likely to entail a high risk to personality or fundamental rights, such as systematic surveillance.
PFPDT/FDPIC, valutazione d'impatto sulla protezione dei dati (nLPD art. 22)
The procedure, step by step
Check that the system is not intended to monitor the behaviour of workers (OLT 3 art. 26): if it is, it is forbidden.
Make sure the data processed concerns suitability for the job or is necessary for the contract (CO art. 328b).
Inform and consult workers in advance.
Carry out the impact assessment (DPIA) if the processing entails a high risk.
Configure the system in a proportionate and deferred way (not real-time tracking of the person).
If you switch systems: when you change your monitoring system or software, update and re-issue the privacy notice, and check whether the national agreement or authorisation for remote monitoring needs renewing. The provider (data processor), the data collected and the methods often change: the one provided earlier is not enough.
Who to contact
PFPDT / FDPIC (Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner)
https://www.edoeb.admin.ch/fr/moyens-techniques-de-surveillance-sur-le-lieu-de-travail
https://www.edoeb.admin.ch/fr/moyens-techniques-de-surveillance-sur-le-lieu-de-travail
Switzerland is outside the EU. For private employers the competent body is the federal authority (PFPDT/FDPIC); the cantonal authorities cover cantonal public bodies.
Verified on June 15, 2026
PFPDT/FDPIC
https://www.edoeb.admin.ch/fr/traitement-des-donnees-par-lemployeur
https://www.edoeb.admin.ch/fr/traitement-des-donnees-par-lemployeur
Verified on June 15, 2026
The template to download
Download the free GPS privacy notice template for Switzerland
Employee geolocation privacy notice template, compliant with GDPR Art. 13, including the countryโs legal basis and supervisory authority. Fill in the blank fields and have it checked by your advisor.
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Federal Supreme Court, ATF 130 II 425: GPS on company vehicles is allowed only if proportionate, for legitimate reasons and with prior information, and it is forbidden if it aims solely or essentially at monitoring the worker behaviour (OLT 3 art. 26, stricter than the GDPR). In Switzerland the nLPD/revFADP fines reach 250,000 CHF and target the responsible natural person, not the company.
Cite this page
You're free to cite it, as long as you credit the source with a link to this page.
GPS and worker monitoring in Switzerland: what you need to stay compliant - GeoTapp. https://geotapp.com/en/resources/gps-workers-eu/switzerland/Source: <a href="https://geotapp.com/en/resources/gps-workers-eu/switzerland/?utm_source=citazione&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=risorse">GPS and worker monitoring in Switzerland: what you need to stay compliant - GeoTapp</a>ยฉ 2026 GeoTapp. Data compiled and verified by GeoTapp. For full republication of the dataset or commercial use, get in touch.
Sources
- Tribunale federale, ATF 130 II 425 (GPS sui veicoli dei dipendenti; cita OLT 3 art. 26)
- PFPDT/FDPIC, mezzi tecnici di sorveglianza sul luogo di lavoro
- PFPDT/FDPIC, trattamento dei dati da parte del datore di lavoro (CO art. 328b)
- PFPDT/FDPIC, valutazione d'impatto sulla protezione dei dati (nLPD art. 22)
- Regolamento UE 2016/679 (GDPR) - riferimento comparativo
This is an informational resource, not legal advice. Before activating a monitoring system, have your situation checked by a professional.
Want a system that is already compliant?
GeoTapp records the location only at clock-in, not continuously, and generates the notice for workers to sign. Try it for free.