Introduction of digital ID cards for staff and students

The University of Lucerne, together with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, PH Lucerne, and the Lucerne Central and University Library, is replacing the physical Campus Card with a digital version for smartphones.

The Campus Card for staff and students at the University of Lucerne has until now provided the following services with its integrated chip:

• Identification and validity via the printed ID card
• Printing, copying, and scanning for employees
• Printing, copying, and scanning for students, including payment

As part of a broader digitisation project, these services are now being separated and reorganised. The first step is the introduction of the digital ID card. Printing, copying, and scanning will be managed through the new PaperCut software, with a new student payment system to follow by the end of March 2026. Further details will be provided later.

How the digital visual ID card for smartphones works

The digital visual ID card is created via a web portal. Registration takes place using Switch edu-ID. After logging in, your personal data is displayed in the portal. You can then either generate the ID card as a QR code or save it directly to Apple Wallet (iOS) or Google Wallet (Android) via the wallet icon. A PDF version is also available for download. Detailed instructions for creating the digital ID card are provided in a PDF guide (German only).

Automatic data update from RD

The data on the digital ID card – such as name, expiry date, faculty/department or photo – is automatically updated from the central RD administration system every night. This ensures that the card always shows the latest information the next day. Manual semester or annual validation, previously required, is no longer necessary.

Multiple roles or institutions? No problem!

Employees who work at the University of Lucerne, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the PH Lucerne or the Central and University Library – or who also have a student role – receive a separate QR code for each institution or role. Multiple ID cards can be stored and displayed simultaneously in the wallet.

Validity and expiry of the digital ID card

The digital ID card remains valid as long as the holder is actively affiliated with the University of Lucerne. Once the stored expiry date (“Valid until”) is reached, the card is automatically moved to the expired cards section of the wallet and can no longer be used.

Library card

The digital ID card also functions as an SLSP/swisscovery library card and is valid in almost all Swiss university libraries. When leaving or de-registering from the University of Lucerne, the library card in the wallet also becomes invalid. Anyone who still requires an SLSP library card afterwards can obtain one at a Central and University Library location. The library account will remain unaffected.

When will it be introduced and how long will the old Campus Card remain valid?

The digital ID card will be officially introduced for staff and students on 15 January 2026. From this date, physical Campus Cards will no longer be issued or replaced, and the new digital ID card will apply to all members of the University of Lucerne.

The existing Campus Card can still be validated at the validation machines until the end of March 2026. Any remaining credit must be used by this date, as balances cannot be refunded.

If you wish, you can already create a digital ID card via the web portal in addition to your physical Campus Card.

Questions about the new digital ID card?

For questions or concerns, please contact the University of Lucerne Helpdesk directly by email: helpdesk@unilu.ch.