The Qualified Electronic Signature eIDAS
A guarantee of security and legal compliance
Everything you need to know about qualified electronic signatures (QES) in compliance with the eIDAS regulation. Legal value, available solutions, use cases and comparison of signature levels.
What is the eIDAS qualified electronic signature?
The Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) is the highest level of signature defined by the European eIDAS regulation. It is the only electronic signature with the same legal value as a handwritten signature throughout the European Union.
✓ Official definition according to eIDAS
A qualified electronic signature is an advanced electronic signature that is created using a qualified electronic signature creation device and is based on a qualified electronic signature certificate issued by a qualified trust service provider (QTSP).
The 3 fundamental principles of QES
| Principle | Meaning | Guarantee provided |
|---|---|---|
| Legal equivalence | Same value as a handwritten signature | ✅ Accepted by all EU administrations and courts |
| Non-repudiation | The signatory cannot deny having signed | ✅ Irrefutable legal proof in the event of litigation |
| Interoperability | Mutual recognition throughout the EU | ✅ QES issued in Belgium = valid in France, Germany, etc. |
The eIDAS regulation at a glance
The eIDAS (electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services) regulation came into force on July 1, 2016 in all EU member states. It establishes a unified legal framework for:
- Electronic identification (eID)
- Trust services (signatures, stamps, time stamping, electronic registered mail)
- Mutual recognition of solutions between member countries
- Technical and safety requirements for service providers
Legal reference: Regulation (EU) No. 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of July 23, 2014
The 3 levels of electronic signature under eIDAS
The eIDAS regulation defines a 3-level hierarchy of electronic signatures, each with different technical requirements and legal value.
🥇 Qualified Signature (QES)
Maximum safety
- ✅ Legal equivalent handwritten signature
- ✅ Qualified certificate (QTSP)
- ✅ Secure creation device
- ✅ Legal non-repudiation
- ✅ Mandatory for certain administrations
Use cases: INPI formalities, notarial deeds, high-stake contracts, public procurement contracts
🥈 Advanced Signature (AES)
Intermediate safety level
- ✓ Reliable identification of the signatory
- ✓ Exclusive control of the signatory
- ✓ Change detection
- ⚠️ No automatic handwritten equivalence
- ⚠️ Probative value to be demonstrated in court
Use cases: commercial contracts, HR documents, internal approvals, international transactions
🥉 Signature Simple (SES)
Basic safety level
- ✓ Proof of signatory agreement
- ✓ Signature time stamp
- ⚠️ Light authentication (email, SMS)
- ⚠️ Easily challenged in court
- ⚠️ Not accepted by administrations
Use cases: Acknowledgements of receipt, simple consents, documents with no major legal implications
Which signature is right for you?
The golden rule:
- Administration requires QES? → Qualified signature required (itsme®, Evrotrust)
- Major contract / high financial stakes? → Recommended Qualified Signature
- International transaction outside the EU? → Advanced Signature (Veriff – 198 countries)
- Internal document / low stakes? → Simple signature (OTP email) is enough
Legal value: what the law says
Article 25 of the eIDAS regulation: legal equivalence
Official text – Article 25 eIDAS
“A qualified electronic signature has a legal effect equivalent to that of a handwritten signature. A qualified electronic signature based on a qualified certificate issued in one Member State shall be recognized as a qualified electronic signature in all other Member States.”
Practical consequences :
- A QES signed in Belgium with itsme® = valid in France, Germany, Italy, etc.
- No EU administration or court can refuse a compliant QES
- The burden of proof is reversed: it is up to the person contesting the signature to prove that it is invalid.
- QES are presumed compliant and authentic
Comparison of probationary value
| Type of signature | Legal value | Burden of proof | Administrative acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualified (QES) | = handwritten signature | On the contestant | ✅ Mandatory |
| Advanced (AES) | Presumed reliable (but refutable) | On the signatory if contested | ⚠️ Varies according to context |
| Simple (SES) | Acceptable but weak | On signatory | ❌ Generally refused |
| Handwritten | Legal reference | About the contestant | ✅ Always accepted |
Mandatory QES use cases
Some administrative and legal procedures require a qualified electronic signature:
| Organization | Procedures concerned | Since |
|---|---|---|
| INPI (France) | Guichet Unique formalities (modification, cessation of business) | January 2023 |
| Notaries | Electronic authentic acts | 2020 |
| Public procurement | Responses to calls for tender (PLACE) | 2018 |
| Court registries | Company filings | Variable |
| EU administrations | Dematerialization of critical procedures | Progressive |
Qualified signature solutions with e-Signature.eu
e-Signature.eu offers two eIDAS-compliant Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) methods, together covering more than 60 countries worldwide.
✓ e-Signature.eu advantage: No subscription required
Unlike competing solutions (DocuSign, Adobe Sign, etc.), e-Signature.eu works on a pay-as-you-go basis: you buy credits and pay only for the signatures you use. No monthly or annual commitment.
1. itsme® – Qualified mobile signature (30 European countries)
itsme® is the Belgian qualified electronic signature application used by over 7 million people in Europe.
| Features | Detail |
|---|---|
| Signature type | Qualified (QES) eIDAS compliant |
| Geographic coverage | 30 European countries (see full list) |
| Device | Mobile application (iOS/Android) |
| Authentication | PIN code + smartphone validation |
| Speed | 30 seconds per signature |
| e-Signature.eu price list | 1 credit per signatory |
| Signatory installation | Free (itsme® app) |
Ideal for :
- INPI formalities (France)
- Europe-based companies and freelancers
- Fast signing without special equipment
- European multi-signatories
2. Evrotrust – International qualified signature (58 countries)
Evrotrust is the qualified signature solution with the widest geographical coverage in the world.
| Features | Detail |
|---|---|
| Signature type | Qualified (QES) eIDAS compliant |
| Geographic coverage | 58 countries (Europe, North America, Oceania, Middle East) |
| Countries covered | AL, AD, AM, AU, AT, AZ, BY, BE, BA, BG, CA, HR, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, GE, DE, GR, HU, IS, IE, IT, IL, KZ, KE, XK, LV, LI, LT, LU, MT, MD, MC, ME, NL, NZ, NO, MK, PL, PT, RU, SM, RS, SK, SI, ES, SE, CH, TW, TR, UA, GB, US, VA, AX |
| Authentication | Secure identity verification |
| e-Signature.eu price list | 1 credit per signatory |
Ideal for :
- Coverage of Eastern Europe and the Balkans
- Transactions with North America
- Modern alternative to old methods (eID card)
- Exporting companies requiring QES outside the EU
itsme® or Evrotrust: how to choose?
Choose itsme® if :
- Your signatories are in Europe
- You prefer mobile simplicity
- Your signatories already have the itsme® app (banks, tax authorities)
Choose Evrotrust if :
- Working with Eastern Europe, the Balkans, North America
- You need maximum coverage (58 countries)
- You want a universal QES solution
Both solutions are compatible: you can use itsme® AND Evrotrust, depending on the signatory.
Difference between advanced (AES) and simple (SES) signatures
Full comparison table
| Criteria | Simple (SES) | Advanced (AES) | Qualified (QES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal value | Low | Medium (to be proven) | = Handwritten |
| Authentication | Email/SMS | Identity verification | Qualified certificate |
| Non-repudiation | ❌ | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Total |
| Acceptance administration | ❌ | Variable | ✅ Mandatory |
| e-Signature.eu rate | 0.4 credit | 0.7 credit | 1 credit |
| Fast | Immediate | 1-2 minutes | 30 sec – 2 min |
| Use cases | Internal documents | Commercial contracts | Legal formalities |
When is a simple signature (SES) enough?
The simple email OTP signature (0.4 credit with e-Signature.eu) is more than sufficient for :
- Acknowledgement of receipt
- RGPD Consents
- Internal approvals with no legal implications
- Collaborative work documents
- Validations of quotations without firm commitment
Advantage: Reduced price (60% less than QES) for everyday use
When is advanced signature (AES) recommended?
Advanced signing via Veriff (0.7 credit, 198 countries) is ideal for :
- International transactions outside Europe
- Standard B2B commercial contracts
- HR documents (employment contracts, riders)
- Situations where QES is disproportionate but SES insufficient
Advantage: Optimum balance between security, global coverage (198 countries) and cost (30% less expensive than QES).
eIDAS compliance: technical requirements
What is a Qualified Trusted Service Provider (QTSP)?
A QTSP (Qualified Trust Service Provider) is an organization certified by national authorities to issue qualified electronic signature certificates.
The 3 cumulative conditions for being QTSP
- 1. National approval: obtained from the supervisory authority (ANSSI in France, BIPT in Belgium)
- 2. Technical compliance: Compliance with ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) standards
- 3. Regular audits: Periodic safety and process checks
QTSP providers used by e-Signature.eu :
- itsme®: QTSP certified in Belgium
- Evrotrust: QTSP certified in Bulgaria (EU recognition)
The qualified certificate: an essential component
A qualified electronic signature certificate contains :
| Element | Contents | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Identity of signatory | Last name, first name, date of birth | Uniquely identify the signatory |
| Public key | Cryptographic data | Verify signature authenticity |
| Issuer (QTSP) | Name and approval number | Ensuring eIDAS compliance |
| Period of validity | Start/end date | Time limit |
| QTSP signature | Electronic seal | Proving certificate authenticity |
Important : The qualified certificate is automatically generated for each signature with itsme® or Evrotrust. The signatory does not need to manage the certificate manually.
Qualified signature creation device (QSCD)
A QSCD (Qualified Signature Creation Device) is a secure hardware or software product that guarantees that :
- The signatory’s private key cannot be extracted or copied
- The signature cannot be generated without the signatory’s voluntary action
- Signed data cannot be modified after signing
Examples of QSCD :
- itsme®: Smartphone with secure enclave (Secure Element)
- Evrotrust: HSM (Hardware Security Module) infrastructure
- Smart cards (Belgian eID – will no longer be offered after 2025)
- Cryptographic USB tokens
Practical use cases for qualified signatures
1. INPI formalities (France)
Context
The INPI (Institut National de la Propriété Industrielle) has required a qualified signature for all company modification or cessation formalities via the Guichet Unique since January 2023.
e-Signature.eu solutions :
- itsme®: Officially accepted since 2025 (ideal for Europeans)
- Evrotrust: Alternative QES recognized by eIDAS
Fee: 1 credit per signature (vs. €73-200 for traditional French certificates)
2. Public procurement and calls for tender
Context
The PLACE platform (Plateforme des Achats de l’État) and territorial platforms require a qualified signature to bid on public procurement contracts.
e-Signature.eu solutions :
- itsme®: For companies based in Europe
- Evrotrust: For maximum international coverage
Advantage: Signature without subscription (vs. dedicated public procurement solutions at €100-300/year)
3. Electronic notarial deeds
Context
Electronic authentic deeds (real estate sales, donations, etc.) require a qualified signature from all parties.
e-Signature.eu solutions :
- itsme®: Simple mobile solution for individual signatories
- Evrotrust: If signatories outside itsme® coverage
4. High-stakes international contracts
Context
Commercial contracts over €100k, strategic partnerships, critical confidentiality agreements.
e-Signature.eu solutions :
- Evrotrust: 58-country coverage with QES
- itsme®: If all signatories in Europe
- Veriff (AES): Alternative if QES not required but high security desired (198 countries, 0.7 credits)
5. Filing of legal documents with the clerk’s office
Context
Company bylaws, meeting minutes, annual accounts requiring official filing.
e-Signature.eu solutions :
- itsme®: Quick signature for managers/administrators
- Evrotrust: An international shareholder base
e-Signature.eu pricing: no subscription, pay-as-you-go
✓ Unique business model: Pay only for what you use
Unlike DocuSign (45-65€/month), Adobe Sign (30-60€/month) or other subscription-based solutions, e-Signature.eu works with prepaid credits:
- Buy credits according to your needs
- 1 credit = 1 signatory (regardless of the number of documents)
- No monthly or annual commitment
Price list 2026
| Signature type | Method | Rate (credit/signer) | Price per unit* (credit/signatory) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualified (QES) | itsme® or Evrotrust | 1 credit | 4,95€ |
| Advanced (AES) | Veriff | 0.7 credit | 3,47€ |
| Simple (SES) | OTP email | 0.4 credit | 1,98€ |
*Indicative price based on formula 1 signature (€4.95). Volume discounts available.
Sample calculation: INPI formality
Scenario: Modification of INPI company requiring qualified signature of manager
With e-Signature.eu + itsme® :
- 1 signatory = 1 credit = €4.95
- itsme® application free of charge for the signatory
- Signature in 30 seconds
With traditional French certificate :
- CertEurope: €200 (3-year certificate)
- Certigna: €96 excl. tax/year
- ChamberSign: €73 excl. tax/year
- + Travel may be required
Savings: 15 to 40 times less with e-Signature.eu
Competitive comparison
| Solution | Model | Price list | Qualified signature |
|---|---|---|---|
| e-Signature.eu | Pay-as-you-go | 4.95€/QES signature | ✅ itsme® + Evrotrust |
| DocuSign | Monthly subscription | 45-65€/month | ⚠️ Separate premium module |
| Adobe Sign | Monthly subscription | 30-60€/month | ⚠️ Not included (surcharge) |
| Universign | One-off | 49€ + travel | ✅ French certificate only |
| Lex Community | Free | 0€ | ⚠️ AES only (not QES) |
eIDAS 2.0 and future developments (2026+)
The European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet)
Revolution expected in 2026
The eIDAS 2.0 regulation (adopted in 2024) introduces theEU Digital Identity Wallet, a single digital wallet for every European citizen enabling:
- Strong authentication for public and private services
- Integrated qualified electronic signature
- Secure storage of certificates (diplomas, licenses, etc.)
- Full interoperability between the 27 member states
Deployment schedule :
- 2025: Pilot projects in 4 countries (Germany, Spain, Latvia, Italy)
- 2026: Progressive deployment in all member states
- 2027: General availability to all EU citizens
- 2028: Obligation for certain public and private services to accept EUDI Wallet
Impact on signature solutions
| Current solution | Impact EUDI Wallet | Probable evolution |
|---|---|---|
| itsme® | Compatible from launch | Native integration in Belgian wallet |
| Evrotrust | Necessary adaptation | Move towards EUDI interoperability |
| FranceConnect+ | Expected convergence | Merger with French EUDI Wallet |
| National certificates | Gradual obsolescence | Replacement by integrated EUDI |
e-Signature.eu’s position: Proactive monitoring of eIDAS 2.0 to integrate the EUDI Wallet as soon as it becomes available, as a complement to current solutions.
New eIDAS 2.0 requirements
The eIDAS 2.0 regulation strengthens the obligations for :
- Large online platforms: Obligation to accept EUDI Wallet for authentication
- Banking services: mandatory integration of European digital identity
- Public administrations: Mandatory acceptance of EUDI certificates
- Private service providers: Enhanced certification to become QTSP
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What’s the difference between qualified and advanced signatures?
The qualified signature (QES) is the only signature level with the same legal value as a handwritten signature. It is based on a qualified certificate issued by a certified service provider (QTSP). The advanced signature (AES) reliably identifies the signatory, but is not automatically equivalent to a handwritten signature – its probative value must be demonstrated in the event of a dispute.
Are itsme® signatures accepted throughout Europe?
Yes, in accordance withArticle 25 of the eIDAS regulation, a qualified signature issued in one member state (in this case Belgium for itsme®) must be recognized in all other EU member states. An itsme® signature therefore has the same legal value in France, Germany, Italy, etc.
How much does a qualified signature with e-Signature.eu cost?
A qualified signature (QES) costs 1 credit per signatory, or €4.95 for the 1 signature package. This is 15 to 40 times less expensive than traditional French qualified certificates (€73-200). The signatory uses the itsme® or Evrotrust application free of charge.
Do I need a qualified signature for all my documents?
No, a qualified signature is only required for :
- Administrative formalities that explicitly require it (INPI, public contracts, registries)
- Contracts with high legal or financial stakes
- Situations where you want total non-repudiation
For standard commercial contracts, the advanced signature (Veriff, 0.7 credit) is often sufficient. For unimportant internal documents, a simple signature (OTP email, 0.4 credit) is more than sufficient.
Can I use itsme® if I’m not Belgian?
Yes! itsme® is accessible to nationals of 30 European countries. All you need to create an itsme® account is a compatible identity document (European passport, national identity card, etc.). See the full list of countries covered.
Are documents signed with itsme® accepted by INPI?
Yes, since 2025, INPI has officially accepted itsme® signatures for all Guichet Unique formalities (modification, cessation of business). itsme® has become the benchmark solution for non-French European nationals who cannot access FranceConnect+.
How long is a qualified signature valid?
A qualified signature remains valid indefinitely, even after the certificate used to create it has expired, thanks to qualified time-stamping and evidence preservation mechanisms. The signed document retains its legal value for as long as necessary.
How to check that a signature is qualified?
A document signed with a qualified signature contains verifiable metadata:
- Qualified signatory certificate (with name of issuing QTSP)
- Qualified time-stamping
- Provider’s electronic seal
- Compliance with ETSI standards (PAdES, XAdES)
PDF readers (Adobe Reader, Foxit) display this information in the “Signatures” panel. e-Signature.eu also provides a signature certificate with each document.
Can I sign large documents with e-Signature.eu?
Yes, e-Signature.eu supports documents up to 100 MB per file. The new 2026 features further enhance compatibility with large documents (presentations, CAD drawings, ZIP archives).
Key points to remember
- ✓ Legal equivalence: The Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) is the only one with the same value as a handwritten signature throughout the European Union, in accordance with the eIDAS regulation.
- ✓ Signature hierarchy: QES > AES > SES in terms of legal value. Choose the level suited to your needs (QES for administration, AES for commercial, SES for internal).
- ✓ e-Signature.eu solutions: itsme® (30 European countries) and Evrotrust (58 countries) offer an eIDAS-compliant qualified signature at 1 credit/signer, i.e. 15 to 40 times cheaper than traditional French certificates.
- ✓ Subscription-free: Unique pay-as-you-go model – pay only for the signatures you use, no monthly commitment unlike DocuSign, Adobe Sign, etc.
- ✓ Mutual recognition: A qualified signature issued in one EU country is automatically valid in all other member states (eIDAS interoperability).
- ✓ Evolution 2026: The deployment of the EU Digital Identity Wallet (eIDAS 2.0) will further strengthen interoperability and simplify access to qualified signatures for all European citizens.
Sign your documents with an eIDAS-compliant qualified signature
Benefit from a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) with the same legal value as a handwritten signature. Choose itsme® (30 countries) or Evrotrust (58 countries) to suit your needs. No subscription required, from €4.95 per signature.