Guidelines Exemptions from Access to the historic Parliament Building

The President of the National Council shall have authority over the Parliament Buildings and determine the internal rules  of the house after deliberation in the President's Conference (§ 14 para. 1 of the Federal Law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Council).

The President of the National Council may, after consultation with the members of the President‘s Conference, set in guidelines more detailed provisions (such as on the issuing, duration and revocation of access authorizations and on the proof of identity required) and exemptions from the obligation to prove the identity by depositing a photo ID in digital form (ID scan) and from carrying out personal and baggage checks (§ 11 para. 3 of the Internal Rules for the Parliament Buildings).

The following guidelines, which entered into force on May 1, 2025, establish exemptions from the access requirements to the historic Parliament Building.

§ 1. Exemptions from the obligation to prove identity by depositing a photo ID in digital form (ID scan)

§ 2. Exemption from personal and baggage checks

§ 3. Restriction in justified cases

§ 4. Access outside opening hours

§ 5. Entry into force

(1) Notwithstanding § 11 para. 1 of the Internal Rules for the Parliament Buildings (IR), the following persons are, in general, exempt from the obligation to prove their identity by depositing a photo ID in digital form (ID scan) when accessing the historic Parliament Building:

1. top representatives of foreign states and of international or supranational organizations and the delegation members accompanying them. In this sense, top representatives shall also include, in particular, presidents of parliaments, ambassadors and Members of Parliament;

2. individuals and groups of no more than four persons who are received in the entrance hall by a Member of the National Council, a Member of the Federal Council, a staff member of a Parliamentary Group or a parliamentary assistant acting on behalf and who are accompanied by this person at all times after their entry.

(2) Notwithstanding § 11 para. 1 IR, persons who do not have a permanent access authorization may, as an alternative to proving their identity by depositing a photo ID in digital form (ID scan), be granted authorization for individual access after an on-site registration (name, date of birth) and upon proof of their identity.

(3) If on-site registration (name, date of birth) in accordance with para. 2 is not possible for technical, organizational or other reasons, the persons responsible for order and security tasks may grant individual access without on-site registration under alternative and appropriate conditions.

Notwithstanding § 11 para. 2 IR, the persons referred to in § 1 para. 1 subpara. 1 shall, in principle, be exempt from having checks on themselves and their baggage when entering the historic Parliament Building.

In justified cases (such as in the event of increased or sudden danger), the President of the National Council may order that exemptions pursuant to §§ 1 and 2 shall not apply or shall not apply in full.

If persons who do not have a permanent access authorization pursuant to § 10 IR require access to the historic Parliament Building outside of the opening hours determined and announced by the President of the National Council, then the Member of the National Council, the Member of the Federal Council or the Parliamentary Group at whose invitation access is to be granted shall in each individual case clarify this in advance with the Parliamentary Administration.

These guidelines enter into force on May 1, 2025.

These guidelines enter into force on September 12, 2023.