Certified electronic signature: the 3 eIDAS levels explained
A "certified" electronic signature does not have a single definition: the eIDAS European regulation distinguishes three levels (simple, advanced, qualified), each with its own legal weight and its own identity proof requirement. This guide helps you choose the right level for your use case, then shows you how Certyneo delivers all three — from free SES to qualified QES.
Level 1
Simple signature (SES)
Suitable for routine exchanges: quotes, commercial agreements, NDA. Admissible in court with complete audit trail. Free Certyneo plan.
Level 2
Advanced signature (AES)
Signer identity verified by SMS or email OTP. Recommended for HR contracts, real estate mandates, invoices > €1,000.
Level 3
Qualified signature (QES)
Strict legal equivalent of handwritten signature. Identity verified by a qualified provider. Mandatory for notarial deeds, public contracts > thresholds.
Which solutions offer which eIDAS level?
| Solution | SES | AES | QES | Hosting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certyneo | Included, free | Included from €9 | On demand (qualified EU partner) | EU (Germany) |
| Yousign | Basic plan | Pro Plan | Pro+ Plan | France (OVHcloud) |
| DocuSign | All plans | Standard Plan | Standard EU Plan | Global / EU option |
| Universign | Pay-per-use | Pay-per-use | Pay-per-use (FR leader) | France |
| Adobe Acrobat Sign | All plans | Enterprise Plan | Paid add-on | US (Adobe Cloud) |
Certyneo: eIDAS certified signature from the free plan
Certyneo is designed around the three eIDAS levels. Simple signature (SES) is included for free, advanced signature (AES) with OTP verification from the Personal plan at €9/month, and qualified signature (QES) is available upon request through our qualified partner under article 28 of the eIDAS regulation. All signatures produce cryptographic evidence acceptable in all 27 Member States.
- Native eIDAS compliance (SES + AES included)
- OTP SMS or email for AES
- X.509 signature certificate
- Qualified timestamped audit trail
- QES on demand via qualified partner
- Evidence archiving for 10 years
- Public integrity verification
How to obtain a certified signature in 5 minutes
- 1
Choose the eIDAS level
SES (by default), AES (with OTP) or QES (advanced identity verification). Certyneo offers an assistant to guide you.
- 2
Import the document
PDF, Word, image. All formats are preserved without loss.
- 3
Identity verification
SES = email only. AES = email + SMS OTP. QES = identity document + video call (5-10 min).
- 4
Electronic signature
The signer signs in their browser. The signature certificate is generated on the fly.
- 5
Download evidence
Signed document + signature certificate + audit trail in PDF/A format — enforceable in court.
Which eIDAS level should I choose for my document?
For the majority of B2B contracts (quotes, NDAs, commercial agreements), SES is sufficient. For HR contracts, real estate mandates and significant invoices, AES is recommended (enhanced identity proof). QES is mandatory for notarial deeds, certain real estate transactions and public procurement contracts above thresholds defined by public procurement rules.
Frequently asked questions about certified electronic signature
- What is the difference between a "certified" signature and a "qualified" signature?
- "Certified" is a vague marketing term: it can refer to SES, AES, or QES. "Qualified" (QES) has a strict definition in the eIDAS regulation and designates the highest level, legally equivalent to handwritten signature. An SES signature is also "certified" in the sense that it relies on a digital certificate, but it does not have the same legal weight as a QES.
- Is a certified electronic signature free?
- Simple signature (SES) can be free — Certyneo includes it in its permanent plan (5 envelopes/month). AES requires an OTP so operational costs (from €9/month at Certyneo). QES requires identity verification by a qualified provider and is charged per use (€9-30 per signature depending on the provider).
- Which documents require a qualified signature (QES)?
- In France, mainly notarial acts (real estate sale at the notary), certain public contracts above thresholds, lawyer acts on request of the parties, and certain banking documents. For the majority of private contracts, SES or AES is sufficient.
- How to verify that an electronic signature complies with eIDAS?
- The signed document must be accompanied by an audit trail containing: the identity of the signatory (email + IP + timestamp), a valid X.509 signature certificate, and a cryptographic hash of the signed document. All PDFs signed by Certyneo open in Acrobat Reader with the eIDAS validation bar visible.
- What legal value does a certified electronic signature have?
- According to article 25 of the eIDAS regulation: an SES is admissible as evidence but its weight depends on the audit trail. An AES benefits from a strengthened presumption of reliability. A QES has the same strict legal value as a handwritten signature and cannot be contested solely on the ground that it is electronic.