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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 acts and regulates trust service providers. This guide explains everything you need to know to be compliant in 2026.
Before eIDAS, each Member State of the European Union had its own regulations on electronic signatures, creating a legal fragmentation that hindered cross-border transactions. An electronic signature valid in France was not necessarily recognized in Germany or Spain.
Regulation (EU) 910/2014, known as eIDAS (Electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services), was adopted on 23 July 2014 and became applicable on 1 July 2016. Because it is a regulation (and not a directive), it applies directly and uniformly in all 27 Member States, with no need for national transposition.
eIDAS pursues three main objectives: creating a single digital market in Europe through the mutual recognition of electronic identities, ensuring the legal security of cross-border electronic transactions, and establishing a framework of trust 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
Example uses
Legal standing
Basic contractual value, no legal presumption
eIDAS requirements
Example uses
Legal standing
Strong probative value — recommended for material contracts
eIDAS requirements
Example uses
Legal standing
Legal presumption equivalent to handwritten signature (art. 25 eIDAS)
The eIDAS Regulation was revised by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, published in the EU's Official Journal on 30 April 2024 and in force on 20 May 2024. This revision modernises the original framework to address contemporary digital challenges: citizens' digital identity, 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 — digital equivalent of an ID card, driver's license, diplomas. This development will have a direct impact on qualified signature processes.
eIDAS 2.0 introduces the European Digital Identity Wallet: every EU citizen will be able to store their certified identity attestations (ID card, driving licence, diplomas) in a mobile app that is interoperable across the EU.
The requirements applicable to qualified trust service providers (QTSPs) are strengthened, in particular on cybersecurity, audits and business continuity.
eIDAS 2.0 adds new qualified services: qualified electronic archiving, qualified attribute management and qualified electronic ledgers (certified blockchains).
Better mutual recognition of digital identities between Member States. Qualified signatures issued in any EU country are recognised everywhere.
eIDAS compliance does not come down to choosing a signature level. It requires reflection on the entire process: risk identification, tool selection, evidence retention and document governance.
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 dual-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.
Every envelope generates a complete audit trail: timestamp of each action (sending, opening of the link, OTP validation, signature, optional refusal), the signer’s IP address and browser user-agent. This audit trail is embedded at the bottom of every page of the final PDF (audit footer) and retained for ten years.
Data is hosted in Germany (EU) (IONOS infrastructure), within the European Union, in line with digital-sovereignty requirements and the GDPR. Visit our security and compliance page for all the technical details.
eIDAS (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services) is European Regulation (EU) 910/2014, which establishes a common legal framework for electronic signatures, electronic seals, timestamps, electronic registered delivery services and website authentication services in the European Union. It entered into force on 1 July 2016 and applies directly in all 27 Member States.
eIDAS 2.0 (regulation (EU) 2024/1183, entered into force on 20 May 2024) modernizes eIDAS 1.0 by introducing notably the <linkGlossaryEudiWallet>European Digital Identity Wallet</linkGlossaryEudiWallet> (EUDIW — European Digital Identity Wallet), which will allow European citizens to store certified digital identity credentials. For businesses, eIDAS 2.0 strengthens the requirements of qualified trust service providers (QTSP) and improves cross-border interoperability.
Yes. Article 25 of eIDAS explicitly prohibits refusal of legal effects to an electronic signature solely on the grounds that it is in electronic form. A simple signature (<linkGlossarySes>SES</linkGlossarySes>) therefore has legal value, but it does not benefit from the legal presumption reserved for qualified signatures (QES). In the event of a dispute, it is up to 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 low-stakes everyday documents (quotes, internal orders), a simple signature is enough. For material commercial contracts, employment contracts, NDAs or mandates, advanced signatures (AES) are recommended. Qualified signatures (QES) are reserved for situations where the law explicitly requires them (certain administrative acts, large public procurement) or where the risk of challenge is at its highest.
Certyneo implements simple signature (<linkGlossarySes>SES</linkGlossarySes>) and advanced signature (<linkGlossaryAes>AES</linkGlossaryAes>) in accordance with eIDAS. Advanced signature is based on dual OTP email + SMS (our SMS OTP provider) that ties the signer 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 within the EU. A company established outside the EU that wishes its signatures to be recognized in the EU must use an eIDAS-compliant solution or a qualified trust service provider (QTSP) recognized in a Member State''s trust list. For international B2B exchanges, mutual recognition agreements exist with certain third countries.
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