Compliance · eIDAS · EU

eIDAS Qualified Electronic
Signatures for the EU

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.

Free plan available · No credit card required · ESIGN Act compliant

All 27
EU member states
QES
Highest EU standard
eIDEasy
QES integration
eIDAS
Reg. 910/2014
Key Features

Everything You Need

Built-in features that save time and close deals faster.

Three Signature Levels

Simple, Advanced, and Qualified — All Three Levels

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.

  • SES (Simple) — suitable for most commercial contracts — Zignature's standard signature.
  • AdES (Advanced) — stronger identity link — available with enhanced ID verification.
  • QES (Qualified) — legally equivalent to handwritten signature in all EU states via eIDEasy.

Simple, Advanced, and Qualified — All Three Levels

The eIDAS Regulation establishes three levels of electronic signature with progressively stronger legal standing. Simple...

Included on all plans
QES Integration

Qualified Electronic Signatures via eIDEasy

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.

  • eIDEasy QTSP integration — EU-certified trust service for Qualified Signatures.
  • National ID card signing — sign using national eID cards from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and more.
  • Smart card & mobile ID — QES via smart card readers and mobile ID applications.

Qualified Electronic Signatures via eIDEasy

Qualified Electronic Signatures require a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP). Zignature integrates with eIDEasy — a...

Included on all plans
Cross-Border Validity

Recognized in All 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.

  • Cross-border recognition — QES valid in all 27 EU member states plus EEA countries.
  • Non-repudiation — QES creates the highest level of non-repudiation available in EU law.
  • Trust service validation — QES validity verifiable through EU Trust List.

Recognized in All EU Member States

Under eIDAS Article 25, a Qualified Electronic Signature created in one EU member state must be recognized as legally va...

Included on all plans
Use Cases

Works for Every Scenario

From simple agreements to complex multi-party workflows.

EU Commercial Contracts

Business agreements between EU parties — SES (standard Zignature signature) is legally sufficient for most EU commercial contracts.

Real Estate in the EU

Property purchase agreements, lease contracts, and mortgage documents — check jurisdiction-specific requirements for QES vs. SES.

Employment Contracts (EU)

Employment agreements in EU member states — SES is sufficient for most jurisdictions; some countries may require stronger authentication.

Documents Requiring QES

Documents where EU law mandates the highest signature standard: certain financial instruments, public procurement, and regulatory filings.

Cross-Border EU Business

Contracts between parties in different EU member states — eIDAS cross-border recognition ensures legal validity regardless of which countries are involved.

GDPR Data Processing Agreements

DPAs signed under GDPR — Zignature's SES is legally sufficient for DPA execution in all EU jurisdictions.

How It Works

Up and Running in Minutes

No training required. Send your first document today.

1

Choose Your Template

Pick from pre-built compliant templates or upload your own document — our system applies the right compliance rules automatically.

2

Configure Compliance Settings

Enable HIPAA BAA, GDPR DPA, identity verification, or QES as required for your regulatory environment.

3

Send to Signers

Recipients get a secure link and are guided through the signing process with all required disclosures and consent flows.

4

Archive with Full Audit Trail

Every transaction is sealed with a tamper-proof certificate of completion — ready for audits, regulators, and legal proceedings.

eIDAS-Compliant Signatures for EU Business

SES, AdES, and QES — all three eIDAS levels supported. Free plan available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know.

What is eIDAS?

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.

What are the three levels of electronic signature under eIDAS?

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.

Which documents require a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)?

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.

How does Zignature provide Qualified Electronic Signatures?

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.

Is Zignature's standard signature (SES) valid for EU contracts?

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.

Does eIDAS apply to contracts with UK companies after Brexit?

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.

How does GDPR interact with eIDAS for EU data processing?

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.

Can non-EU companies use eIDAS-compliant signatures?

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.

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