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eIDAS regulation is the founding text of electronic signature in Europe. It defines three levels of signature (simple, advanced, qualified), establishes the legal value of electronic documents and governs trust service providers. This guide explains everything you need to know to be compliant in 2026.
Before eIDAS, each EU Member State had its own regulation on electronic signatures, creating legal fragmentation that hindered cross-border exchanges. An electronic signature valid in France was not necessarily recognised in Germany or Spain.
The Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, known as eIDAS (Electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services), was adopted on 23 July 2014 and came into force on 1 July 2016. As a regulation (not a directive), it applies directly and uniformly in all 27 Member States, without the need for national transposition.
eIDAS pursues three main objectives: to create a single digital market in Europe through mutual recognition of electronic identities, to guarantee legal certainty of cross-border electronic transactions, and to establish a trust framework for digital services through qualified trust service providers (QTSP — Qualified Trust Service Provider).
eIDAS establishes a pyramid of three levels of electronic signature, each with its own technical requirements and probative value.
eIDAS requirements
Usage examples
Legal value
Basic contractual value, no legal presumption
eIDAS requirements
Usage examples
Legal value
Strong probative value — recommended for important contracts
eIDAS requirements
Usage examples
Legal value
Legal presumption equivalent to handwritten signature (art. 25 eIDAS)
The eIDAS regulation has been revised by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, published in the EU Official Journal on 30 April 2024 and entered into force on 20 May 2024. This revision modernises the initial framework to address contemporary digital challenges: digital identity for citizens, sovereign cloud, and resilience of trust service providers.
The flagship measure of eIDAS 2.0 is the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW). By the end of 2026, each Member State must offer its citizens and residents an application to store and present certified identity credentials — the digital equivalent of an ID card, driving licence, diplomas. This development will have a direct impact on qualified signature processes.
eIDAS 2.0 introduces the European Digital Identity Wallet: every European citizen will be able to store their certified identity attestations (identity card, driving licence, diplomas) in a mobile application that is interoperable throughout the EU.
Requirements for qualified trust service providers (QTSP) have been strengthened, notably in cybersecurity, auditing, and business continuity.
eIDAS 2.0 adds new qualified services: qualified electronic archiving, qualified attribution data management, qualified electronic registry (certified blockchain).
Better mutual recognition of digital identities between Member States. Qualified signatures issued in any EU country are recognised everywhere.
eIDAS compliance is not limited to choosing a signature level. It implies reflection on the entire process: risk identification, tool selection, evidence preservation and records management.
Here is a practical checklist for companies wishing to secure their electronic signature processes in compliance with eIDAS:
Certyneo implements the SES (Simple Electronic Signature) and AES (Advanced Electronic Signature) levels of eIDAS regulation. Advanced signature is based on two-factor authentication: a single-use link sent by email and an OTP code sent by SMS via our SMS OTP provider. This mechanism meets the four criteria of article 26 of eIDAS for advanced signature.
Each envelope generates a complete audit trail: timestamping of every action (sending, link opening, OTP validation, signature application, refusal if any), signatory IP address, and browser user-agent. This audit trail is embedded at the bottom of each PDF page (audit footer) and retained for 10 years.
Data is hosted in Germany (EU) (IONOS infrastructure), within the European Union, in compliance with digital sovereignty requirements and GDPR. Please visit our security and compliance page for all technical details.
eIDAS (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services) is the European Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 that establishes a common legal framework for electronic signatures, electronic seals, time stamps, electronic registered delivery services, and website authentication services in the European Union. It came into force on 1 July 2016 and applies directly in all 27 Member States.
eIDAS 2.0 (regulation (EU) 2024/1183, which entered into force on 20 May 2024) modernises eIDAS 1.0 by introducing in particular the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW — European Digital Identity Wallet), which will allow European citizens to store certified digital identity credentials. For businesses, eIDAS 2.0 strengthens requirements for qualified trust service providers (QTSP) and improves cross-border interoperability.
Yes. Article 25 of eIDAS explicitly prohibits refusing legal effect to an electronic signature solely on the ground that it is in electronic form. A simple signature (SES) therefore has legal value, but it does not benefit from the legal presumption reserved for qualified signatures (QES). In the event of dispute, it is for whoever invokes the signature to prove its authenticity.
The general rule is to calibrate the level to the legal and commercial risk of the document. For standard documents with low stakes (quotations, internal orders), simple signature is sufficient. For significant commercial contracts, employment contracts, NDA or mandates, advanced signature (AES) is recommended. Qualified signature (QES) is reserved for situations where law explicitly requires it (certain administrative acts, large public procurement) or when the risk of challenge is highest.
Certyneo implements simple (SES) and advanced (AES) signature in compliance with eIDAS. Advanced signature is based on dual OTP email + SMS (our SMS OTP provider) which binds the signatory to their act. Each envelope generates a timestamped audit trail integrated into the final PDF. Data is hosted in Germany (EU), in accordance with digital sovereignty requirements.
eIDAS applies to trust services provided in the EU. A company established outside the EU wishing its signatures to be recognised in the EU must use an eIDAS-compliant solution or a recognised qualified trust service provider (QTSP) on the trust list of a Member State. For international B2B exchanges, mutual recognition agreements exist with certain third countries.
La signature électronique transfrontalière eIDAS soulève des questions juridiques et techniques majeures pour les entreprises opérant entre l'Europe et le Maghreb. Découvrez comment sécuriser vos échanges contractuels internationaux.
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Le règlement eIDAS 2 remodèle en profondeur les règles de la signature électronique en Europe. Découvrez les changements clés, le calendrier d'entrée en vigueur et les actions à mener dès maintenant.
Le règlement eIDAS impose la reconnaissance mutuelle des signatures électroniques qualifiées entre tous les États membres de l'UE. Découvrez comment ce principe fonctionne concrètement en 2026.
L'horodatage qualifié eIDAS confère une date certaine et opposable à tout document signé électroniquement. Comprendre son fonctionnement est essentiel pour toute organisation souhaitant sécuriser ses preuves numériques.
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