Is an Electronic Signature Legally Binding in the EU?
Yes — here's what makes an e-signature valid under eIDAS, when a simple signature is enough, and the few cases where it isn't.
Updated June 25, 2026
Is an Electronic Signature Legally Binding in the EU?
Short answer: yes. Across the European Union, electronic signatures are legally recognised under eIDAS (Regulation (EU) No 910/2014). For most everyday agreements between two people, a simple electronic signature is enough — and it holds up as evidence.
What the law actually says
Under Article 25(1) of eIDAS, an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect or rejected as evidence in court just because it is electronic. That principle applies in every EU member state.
eIDAS defines three levels:
- Simple Electronic Signature (SES) — e.g. drawing or typing your name, with a record of who signed and when. Valid and admissible. Right for rental agreements, NDAs, freelance contracts, bills of sale, and most everyday deals.
- Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) — uniquely linked to the signer, tamper-evident, under their sole control. Stronger evidence.
- Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) — AES plus a qualified certificate from an accredited provider. The only level that is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.
When a simple signature is enough
For the vast majority of two-party agreements, an SES is appropriate and enforceable. What makes it trustworthy is the evidence behind it: a record tying who signed, what they signed (a cryptographic hash of the document), and when.
DigiSig produces exactly that — a tamper-evident audit trail, with each signature cryptographically linked to the document. It does not claim to be a qualified signature or to be automatically equivalent to a handwritten one.
When you need more than a simple signature
A small set of documents require a qualified signature or notarisation by law — for example, certain real-estate transfers, some employment terminations, and wills. If your document falls into one of these categories, a simple e-signature is not the right tool. When in doubt, check your national rules.
The takeaway
For everyday agreements between two people, an electronic signature in the EU is legally binding and admissible — no printing, scanning, or special hardware needed.
Ready? Sign a document now — free, private, and encrypted on your device.