SES, AES, QES: which signature level should you choose?
The eIDAS regulation defines three signature levels. Here's how to pick the right one for your legal stakes.
5 min read
The three eIDAS levels
The European eIDAS regulation defines three levels of electronic signature, from simplest to most demanding.
- Simple signature (SES): the most common. Suitable for quotes, purchase orders and everyday commercial contracts.
- Advanced signature (AES): adds stronger verification of the signer's identity (SMS OTP, for example). Recommended for higher-stakes contracts.
- Qualified signature (QES): the legal equivalent of a handwritten signature, with a qualified certificate issued by a trust service provider. Required for certain regulated acts.
The higher the financial or legal stakes, the stronger the level should be. In a dispute, it's the level of identity proof that makes the difference. For most professional uses, a simple signature is enough; reserve QES for acts that explicitly require it.