Data protection for private individuals in Switzerland

Art. 44 FADP

Term of office, re-election and termination of office

Chapter 7: Federal Data Protection and Information CommissionerSection 1: Organisation

Statutory textStatus: 7 July 2025

1 The Commissioner's term of office amounts to four years and may be extended twice. It begins on the first day of January following the start the National Council's legislature period.

2 The Commissioner may terminate his or her employment contract at the end of any month subject to a period of six months' notice. The Judiciary Committee may in an individual case allow the Commissioner a shorter period of notice if there are no substantial interests that preclude this.

3 The United Federal Assembly may remove the Commissioner from office before the end of the term of office if he or she:

  • a.

    has wilfully or through gross negligence committed a serious violation of his or her official duties; or

  • b.

    has permanently lost the capacity to carry out his or her official duties.

Source: Version on FedlexThis translation is not an official version. Only the German, French and Italian versions are legally binding.

In brief

The Commissioner’s term of office is four years and can be renewed twice. The article also regulates early termination.

What does this mean for me?

This article has no direct significance for you; it safeguards the independence of supervision.

Explanation by mydatenschutz.ch in plain language – not legal advice. The statutory text is authoritative.