Zignature supports all three eIDAS signature levels — Simple (SES), Advanced (AdES), and Qualified (QES) — for legally binding electronic signatures across all EU member states and EEA countries.
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The eIDAS Regulation establishes three levels of electronic signature with progressively stronger legal standing. Simple Electronic Signatures (SES) satisfy most commercial needs. Advanced Electronic Signatures (AdES) provide stronger identity link. Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) are legally equivalent to handwritten signatures across all EU member states.
Qualified Electronic Signatures require a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP). Zignature integrates with eIDEasy — an EU-certified QTSP — to provide QES for documents requiring the highest level of EU legal assurance. QES is mandatory for specific document types in several EU member states.
Under eIDAS Article 25, a Qualified Electronic Signature created in one EU member state must be recognized as legally valid in all other EU member states — the same legal effect as a handwritten signature. Zignature's QES (via eIDEasy) satisfies this cross-border recognition requirement for international EU business.
From simple agreements to complex multi-party workflows.
Business agreements between EU parties — SES (standard Zignature signature) is legally sufficient for most EU commercial contracts.
Property purchase agreements, lease contracts, and mortgage documents — check jurisdiction-specific requirements for QES vs. SES.
Employment agreements in EU member states — SES is sufficient for most jurisdictions; some countries may require stronger authentication.
Documents where EU law mandates the highest signature standard: certain financial instruments, public procurement, and regulatory filings.
Contracts between parties in different EU member states — eIDAS cross-border recognition ensures legal validity regardless of which countries are involved.
DPAs signed under GDPR — Zignature's SES is legally sufficient for DPA execution in all EU jurisdictions.
No training required. Send your first document today.
Pick from pre-built compliant templates or upload your own document — our system applies the right compliance rules automatically.
Enable HIPAA BAA, GDPR DPA, identity verification, or QES as required for your regulatory environment.
Recipients get a secure link and are guided through the signing process with all required disclosures and consent flows.
Every transaction is sealed with a tamper-proof certificate of completion — ready for audits, regulators, and legal proceedings.
Here's exactly how Zignature satisfies each specific regulatory requirement — with citations.
| Requirement | Regulation Citation | How Zignature Satisfies It | Met |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Electronic Signature (SES) |
Art. 25(1)
|
Zignature standard e-signature constitutes a valid SES | |
| Advanced Electronic Signature (AdES) |
Art. 26(a)-(d)
|
Available with enhanced identity verification addon | |
| Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) |
Art. 25(2)
|
Via eIDEasy QTSP integration — EU Trust List certified | |
| Cross-Border Recognition |
Art. 25(3)
|
QES recognized as legally binding in all 27 EU member states | |
| Non-Repudiation (QES Level) |
Art. 3(16)
|
QES provides the maximum non-repudiation available under EU law |
SES, AdES, and QES — all three eIDAS levels supported. Free plan available.
Everything you need to know.
eIDAS (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services) is EU Regulation 910/2014, which establishes a legal framework for electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, and authentication across all EU member states. It ensures that digital identities and trust services work seamlessly across borders within the EU.
eIDAS defines three levels: (1) Simple Electronic Signature (SES) — any electronic form of signature, including standard e-signatures. (2) Advanced Electronic Signature (AdES) — uniquely linked to and capable of identifying the signatory, with strong identity verification. (3) Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) — the highest level, legally equivalent to a handwritten signature across all EU member states, requires a Qualified Trust Service Provider.
Most EU commercial contracts can be signed with a Simple Electronic Signature (SES). QES is specifically required for: certain financial market instruments in some member states, specific notarial acts, some land registry documents, and any document where national law explicitly requires a 'handwritten signature equivalent.' Check the specific requirements of your jurisdiction and document type.
Zignature integrates with eIDEasy, an EU-certified Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP). For documents requiring QES, the signing flow routes through eIDEasy's qualified signature infrastructure — supporting national eID cards, smart card readers, and mobile ID from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belgium, Portugal, and other EU member states.
Yes. Zignature's standard electronic signature constitutes a Simple Electronic Signature (SES) under eIDAS. For the vast majority of EU commercial contracts — service agreements, NDAs, employment contracts, purchase orders — SES is legally sufficient. The EU's principle of technological neutrality means SES cannot be denied legal effect solely because it is electronic.
The UK adopted eIDAS into domestic law through the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and UK electronic signatures are still broadly recognized in EU member states for commercial purposes — though specific QES cross-border recognition no longer applies. The UK's Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions Regulations 2016 (UK eIDAS) remain in force.
GDPR governs how personal data collected during signing (name, email, IP address) is processed and stored. eIDAS governs the legal validity of the signature itself. Both apply simultaneously when collecting electronic signatures from EU data subjects. Zignature satisfies both frameworks — GDPR through its DPA and privacy controls, eIDAS through SES and QES signature support.
Yes. Any company — regardless of location — can use Zignature to collect eIDAS-compliant signatures from EU signatories. The eIDAS framework focuses on the legal validity of the signature within the EU, not on the nationality of the company using the signing platform.