What exactly is the SESAM database?

SESAM is the official database of Switzerland containing the sanctions lists incorporated by the Federal Council pursuant to the Ordinance of 4 March 2016. It contains the updated list of natural persons, enterprises and organizations subject to restrictive measures by the UN Security Council. It is freely and publicly accessible through the website of the Federal Administration, allowing economic operators, banks, companies and individuals to check compliance with sanctions before carrying out international transactions.

How do I know if a name or company is sanctioned?

You can consult the SESAM database directly through the website of the Swiss Federal Administration. Enter the name of the person or company you want to verify. The system also returns results by homonymy, so if in doubt about a similar result it is advisable to provide additional information such as date of birth, place of origin or sector of activity to refine the search and obtain a precise result.

What are the legal consequences if I transact with a sanctioned entity?

Carrying out a transaction with a sanctioned person, company or organisation is illegal in Switzerland under the ordinance of 4 March 2016, which automatically incorporates UN lists into Swiss law. Consequences may include administrative sanctions and, depending on the circumstances and intentionality, even criminal liability. This is why it is essential to always check SESAM before significant international transactions.

How often is SESAM updated?

SESAM is updated whenever the UN Security Council changes the sanctions list. There is no fixed calendar; updates take place when necessary on the basis of international provisions. The changes acquire immediate legal validity in Switzerland thanks to the 2016 ordinance, so economic operators conducting regular international activities must continuously monitor the database.

Am I obliged to consult SESAM even for small transactions?

Yes. The responsibility for verification rests with anyone making international transactions, regardless of the amount. Banks and financial institutions do this automatically for their operations, but entrepreneurs, professionals and individuals operating abroad remain fully responsible for compliance. There is no amount threshold below which SESAM control can be omitted.

UN sanctions: automatic application in Switzerland (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 19 August 2026

View of Lake Lugano with Lugano city in the background

Since 2016, the Federal Council has automatically incorporated the UN sanctions lists into Swiss law. SESAM update of 19 August 2026.

Context

In a nutshell

On 19.08.2026 the SESAM database was updated with the new UN sanctions list
Since 2016, the Federal Council has automatically incorporated UN measures
The changes acquire immediate legal validity in Switzerland
SESAM is the federal tool for verifying compliance with sanctions

Key facts

What: Automatic updating of UN sanctions lists in the Swiss SESAM database
When: 19 August 2026 (update); 4 March 2016 (ordinance)
Where: Swiss Federal SESAM System
Who: Federal Council and UN Security Council
Legal basis: Ordinance on the automatic transposition of UN sanctions lists

On August 19, 2026, the Federal Council communicated an update relevant to anyone conducting international economic operations. The SESAM database, the Swiss Federal Sanctions Management System, has been updated to reflect the changes made by the UN Sanctions Committee to the lists of individuals, businesses and organisations subject to restrictive measures. An event that might seem purely technical, but which has concrete implications for millions of transactions involving Switzerland.

This update is not an isolated event. It represents the application of a structural decision of the Federal Council dated 4 March 2016. On that date, the Swiss Executive approved an order establishing the automatic transposition of the lists of

Operational details

Who is subject to verification obligations

The network of Swiss subjects who have to check the SESAM database before making international transactions is much wider than you might imagine. It's not just about financial institutions and large multinationals. Anyone in Switzerland who transfers funds abroad, receives international payments, imports goods or participates in commercial transactions abroad enters a potential risk zone if they do not verify the counterparty in the SESAM list.

This includes aziende piccole e medie, professionals (consultants, accountants, lawyers), traders, real estate entrepreneurs negotiating with foreign clients. Individuals who, for example, receive an international wire transfer or intend to invest funds abroad should also be aware that their contractor could appear on the list and make the transaction illegal.

Swiss banks and financial institutions, in particular, carry out systematic and automatic checks. Their systems are connected to SESAM and verify every transaction in real time. When the list is updated, such as August 19, 2026, these systems adjust immediately without manual intervention.

Implications of Automatic Compliance

The immediate incorporation of UN sanctions into Swiss law has a fundamental practical consequence: there is no room for “I didn't know” or “I hadn't seen the update yet”. From the moment in which the

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Key points

How to access and consult SESAM

The SESAM database is publicly accessible on the Federal Administration website. The database allows you to search for names of natural persons, business names of enterprises, names of organizations and entities to verify whether they appear in the official list of UN sanctions incorporated into Swiss law. Access is free and does not require registration; anyone can consult it from any internet-connected device.

To perform a search, you need to enter the name (or part of it) of the counterparty. The system returns results by homonymy, so it is advisable to refine the search with additional details: date of birth, place of origin, sector of activity or identification number. SESAM is available in multilingual versions (German, French, Italian, English), facilitating access to non-native speakers as well.

If the search returns a result that matches the counterparty, you must immediately refrain from the transaction. In case of doubt — when the name is very similar but not identical — it is prudent to contact the competent Office of the Federal Administration (which manages SESAM) for clarification. Proceeding without certainty exposes you to legal liability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is the SESAM database?: SESAM is the official database of Switzerland containing the sanctions lists incorporated by the Federal Council pursuant to the Ordinance of 4 March 2016. It contains the updated list of natural persons, enterprises and organizations subject to restrictive measures by the UN Security Council. It is freely and publicly accessible through the website of the Federal Administration, allowing economic operators, banks, companies and individuals to check compliance with sanctions before carrying out
How do I know if a name or company is sanctioned?: You can consult the SESAM database directly through the website of the Swiss Federal Administration. Enter the name of the person or company you want to verify. The system also returns results by homonymy, so if in doubt about a similar result it is advisable to provide additional information such as date of birth, place of origin or sector of activity to refine the search and obtain a precise result.
What are the legal consequences if I transact with a sanctioned entity?: Carrying out a transaction with a sanctioned person, company or organisation is illegal in Switzerland under the ordinance of 4 March 2016, which automatically incorporates UN lists into Swiss law. Consequences may include administrative sanctions and, depending on the circumstances and intentionality, even criminal liability. This is why it is essential to always check SESAM before significant international transactions.
How often is SESAM updated?: SESAM is updated whenever the UN Security Council changes the sanctions list. There is no fixed calendar; updates take place when necessary on the basis of international provisions. The changes acquire immediate legal validity in Switzerland thanks to the 2016 ordinance, so economic operators conducting regular international activities must continuously monitor the database.
Am I obliged to consult SESAM even for small transactions?: Yes. The responsibility for verification rests with anyone making international transactions, regardless of the amount. Banks and financial institutions do this automatically for their operations, but entrepreneurs, professionals and individuals operating abroad remain fully responsible for compliance. There is no amount threshold below which SESAM control can be omitted.