BFH card

Students and staff can use the BFHcard as an ID card and to benefit from special offers.

The BFHcard can be used as library ID in the BFH libraries and the Swiss library network (e.g. Nebis and libraries within the IDS Basel Bern library network). You need to have a user account to borrow, order and reserve books. You can open a user account online by registering through one of the library catalogues (registration forms: NEBIS, for HKB Music Library and the multi-media sports library: IDS Basel Bern) or on site. Registration is free in all libraries. To activate your account and scan your BFHcard for use as library ID, please contact your library directly. Any loss of your BFHcard should be reported to the library separately.

The BFHcard grants out-of-hours access to BFH buildings, premises and parking areas with electronic access control. Access is determined by the holder’s personal authorisations.

With the first use of the BFHcard, the cardholder accepts the terms and conditions of use which he/she received together with the card.

No particularly sensitive personal data under the terms of Article 3 of the Cantonal Data Protection Act of 19 February 1986 (KDSG; BSG 152.04) is stored on the card chip or in the BFHcard system. The card number saved on the card is the only means of identifying the card and its holder.

The cardholder must activate the BFHcard at a validation machine before use.

Students receive a BFHcard, which is valid until the date shown on the card. This card must be validated each semester. 
Lecturers and employees are not required to validate the BFHcard regularly. The card remains valid until the end of the period of employment.

For the BFHcard to be used as a means of payment, cardholders must top it up with credit (min. CHF 10.– / max. CHF 500.–) at a charging station.

The first card is free. Having the card blocked or reactivated is likewise free of charge. In the event of loss, theft or damage to a card as a result of improper use, a fee of CHF 30.– will be charged for the issuing of a replacement card.

If the card is lost, the cardholder is obliged to block it immediately online. Access to the cardholder’s personal user account shall be possible following authentication with the BFH username and password. Once it has been blocked, all of the card’s chip functions will be deactivated immediately.

After blocking of a lost card or notification of a defective card, a new card must be ordered from the relevant support office. If the defective/lost card has remaining credit, this will automatically be transferred to the replacement card. A replacement card is usually issued within 48 hours.

Further information can be found in the terms and conditions of use.

If the card is lost, the cardholder is obliged to block it immediately online. Access to the cardholder’s personal user account shall be possible following authentication with the BFH username and password. Once it has been blocked, all of the card’s chip functions will be deactivated immediately. Any credit remaining on the lost card is transferred to the new card. If you use your BFHcard as a library ID card, please remember to inform your library if you lose your card.

Yes, the responsible support office can reactivate a blocked card. This requires that the cardholder takes his/her BFHcard along to the responsible support office in person.

Defective cards must be returned to the responsible support office. On weekdays the card will generally be replaced within 48 hours. The credit balance will be transferred to the new card. If the defect clearly hasn't been caused by the cardholder, a replacement card is issued free of charge.

When a card is validated, depending on the user category, different data are printed onto the rewriteable (TRW) foil at the lower edge of the card (for example, department, division, course of study, period of validity, etc.). Validation is carried out at validation machines, which are generally located in the building foyer.

Students: the period of validity is limited to the current semester. The card needs to be revalidated at the start of each semester.
Lecturers/employees: the card remains valid until the end of the period of employment.

Students can keep their card when they have completed their studies. Lecturers and staff must hand in the BFHcard when they leave. Any remaining credit balance may be reclaimed within 30 days of graduation or termination of the employment relationship at the designated locations.

The BFHcard must be treated like cash and kept in a safe place. Any person in possession of a BFHcard is authorised to use the card's functions. Risks associated with misuse or loss of a card shall be borne exclusively by the cardholder. The BFH accepts no liability for loss or damage arising from misuse.

The support office is available to assist you in the following matte

• Reactivating a blocked card
• Correcting errors in the information contained in the validation strip
• Read errors at designated terminals
• Clarifying the account balance on a card (list of transactions performed)