Are electronic signatures legal in the EU?
eIDAS Regulation 910/2014 (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services)
SES valid for most commercial contracts across all EU member states. QES specifically required only where law mandates a 'handwritten-equivalent' signature.
Legally valid
Electronic signatures in European Union
The EU's eIDAS Regulation (910/2014) creates a harmonized framework for electronic signatures across all EU member states. eIDAS defines three tiers: Simple Electronic Signature (SES), Advanced Electronic Signature (AES), and Qualified Electronic Signature (QES). For most commercial contracts, SES is legally valid. QES is the only tier that is automatically equivalent to a handwritten signature under Article 25(2) of eIDAS, but courts routinely accept SES and AES for commercial contracts, and many member states' national law explicitly validates SES for most purposes.
What you need to know
- SES (Simple Electronic Signature): any electronic data logically associated with the signer. An audit trail with email, IP, and timestamp qualifies. This is what InkRobin produces.
- AES (Advanced Electronic Signature): uniquely linked to the signatory, capable of identifying them, created using data under their sole control. Digital certificates qualify.
- QES (Qualified Electronic Signature): AES created with a qualified electronic signature creation device, and based on a qualified certificate issued by a trusted service provider. Under Article 25(2) of eIDAS, only QES has the automatic legal effect of a handwritten signature.
- For contracts, NDAs, service agreements, and employment documents, SES is legally sufficient in all EU member states in practice. National courts regularly enforce them.
- InkRobin is honest: we produce SES, not QES. For notarized documents, real estate transactions, or instruments that legally require a handwritten signature, consult a lawyer about whether QES or a notary is required.
Common exclusions
These document types typically require a handwritten or notarized signature in European Union.
- Documents requiring notarization
- Real property transfers (in many member states)
- Family law documents (marriage, divorce, adoption; varies by member state)
- Wills and testamentary documents
- Documents requiring a witness in addition to a signature
What InkRobin produces
InkRobin produces a Simple Electronic Signature (SES): the baseline tier under eIDAS and equivalent frameworks. SES is valid for most commercial contracts in European Union. It is not a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), it does not involve a digital certificate from a Certification Authority, and it is not a substitute for notarization. For specific legal advice, consult a qualified lawyer.
Send your first document in three minutes.
No credit card. Five free documents every month, forever. Your signers will thank you.