QES guide
QES is the only level of electronic signature strictly equivalent to a handwritten signature throughout the European Union. Here's how it works and how to use it on Certyneo.
QES (Qualified Electronic Signature) is the highest of the three levels of electronic signature defined by the European regulation eIDAS (EU) No. 910/2014. It is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature in the 27 Member States, without additional formality.
Concretely, it relies on a digital certificate issued personally to the signer after strict verification of their identity, and created via a certified signature device managed by a qualified trust service provider (QTSP) listed on the European trust list.
For most commercial contracts, advanced signature (AES) is sufficient. QES becomes necessary in these cases:
Step 1
The signer installs their identity app
Just once, from the App Store or Google Play. Account creation with ID scan and video selfie (5 to 10 minutes).
Step 2
You send your Certyneo envelope
In the sending wizard, choose the "Qualified (QES)" level. The recipient receives an email like any Certyneo signature.
Step 3
The signer signs from the app
They click the link in the email, open the app, confirm with their PIN/biometrics. The qualified signature is applied and the signed document automatically returns to Certyneo.
The qualified signature runs through a qualified identity app on the European trusted list. What matters is the country that ISSUED the identity document, not the country of residence: 65 issuing countries are covered. Only the passport and, depending on the issuing country, the national identity card are accepted: a residence permit cannot be used to create the identity, even a valid one. If your signer holds a document issued outside that list, a qualified signature is impossible — contact our support before sending the envelope.
Download the identity app
Available on the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android). Installing is free. A smartphone is mandatory: it is what holds the signing certificate.
Create your account
Enter your first name, last name, email and phone number. A verification code is sent by SMS.
Scan your ID
Passport or national identity card, depending on the issuing country. A residence permit is not accepted. The application guides the photo capture (front, back, hologram).
Video selfie
A short video (~10 seconds) is recorded to confirm your identity. The account is activated after validation, within a few minutes.
€14.90 excl. VAT
per qualified signature without a subscription; €9.90 with a Certyneo subscription
Without a subscription, the signature is paid per act, at send time. With a subscription, it is charged to your saved card at send time, unless it is covered by the signatures included in your plan (one per month on Business, three on Business Pro) or by a pack. No fixed cost: Simple (SES) and Advanced (AES) signatures remain included in your plan at no extra cost.
Ideally yes — otherwise they will have to interrupt the signature to install the app and then return. For recipients you know are not equipped, notify them by email before sending the QES envelope.
It depends on the country that issued the document, not on where the signer lives. 65 issuing countries are covered by our qualified identity provider; a document issued outside that list cannot create the identity account, even for someone living in France. In that case a qualified signature is impossible — contact our support before sending the envelope.
Yes — it is explicitly written in Article 25 of the eIDAS regulation. No European authority, court or administration can refuse a QES on the grounds that it is electronic. It is the only level that benefits from this automatic presumption.
No signature is applied, so no additional charge is billed. The envelope remains pending until the signer returns, or until you cancel it from your dashboard.
Explore the related resources from our electronic signature hub.
Log in, choose the Qualified (QES) level in the wizard, and send your envelope.
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