What is eIDAS?

The three signature levels

Article 3 defines the levels. A simple electronic signature, under Article 3(10), is data in electronic form attached to or logically associated with other data and used by the signatory to sign. An advanced electronic signature, Article 3(11), must meet the four requirements in Article 26. A qualified electronic signature, Article 3(12), is an advanced signature created by a qualified signature creation device and based on a qualified certificate.

• Simple: a drawn or typed signature, a click to accept
• Advanced: uniquely linked to and capable of identifying the signer, under their sole control, and any later change detectable
• Qualified: advanced, plus a qualified certificate from a listed trust service provider and a certified device

Legal effect under Article 25

Article 25(1) says an electronic signature shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely because it is electronic or does not meet the requirements for a qualified signature. That protects simple and advanced signatures.

Article 25(2) gives a qualified electronic signature the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature, and Article 25(3) says a qualified signature based on a qualified certificate issued in one member state is recognised in all of them.

eIDAS 2 and the 2024 amendment

Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 was published in April 2024 and entered into force on 20 May 2024. Its main change is the European Digital Identity Wallet, which member states must offer to citizens, along with new trust services such as electronic attestations of attributes. The three-level signature framework remains.

eIDAS also covers electronic seals for organisations (Articles 35 to 40) and electronic time stamps (Articles 41 and 42). After Brexit, the UK kept a retained version for its own trust services.

Where Sign PDF sits under eIDAS

Sign PDF provides simple electronic signatures under eIDAS. They are valid and admissible for ordinary contracts across the EU, and our evidence (email code confirmation, IP and device, hash-chained audit trail, timestamped seal) is the kind courts weigh. We do not provide advanced or qualified signatures, because we do not issue signers personal certificates or check their identity.

If a contract, a public tender or a national law in your country requires a qualified signature, use a qualified trust service provider. This is not legal advice.