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QUALIFIED electronic signature
What is a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)?
A Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) is the highest standard of digital signature in the EU and many other jurisdictions. It combines the security of an Advanced Electronic Signature with additional safeguards: it must be created using a Qualified Signature Creation Device (QSCD) and backed by a Qualified Certificate issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP).
Under eIDAS, a QES is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature, automatically recognized across all EU member states, and invalidated if tampered with.
Because of these strict requirements, QES is often required for high-value contracts, public sector processes, and regulated industries where maximum legal certainty is essential.
“The partnership with eID Easy offers our clients a swift and easy solution to extend their services across the European continent. Everything needed is combined in one API, eliminating the need for multiple local integrations. This leads to lower costs and faster delivery.”
Who is it for?
Built for High-Trust, Regulated Transactions
QES is ideal for organizations that operate in high-compliance environments, need maximum legal protection, or work across jurisdictions where QES is the only acceptable signature level.
- Cross-border agreements under eIDAS
- Healthcare and insurance documentation
- Legal contracts with statutory signature requirements
- Government applications and permits
- Banking, loans, and wealth management
- Real estate and notarial acts
If your business needs the highest level of legal certainty and compliance, Qualified Electronic Signatures are the gold standard. They’re legally equal to handwritten signatures, trusted across borders, and essential for industries and transactions where nothing less than maximum assurance will do.
How does it work
Signing Securely in Four Simple Steps
QES relies on multi-factor authentication (2FA) and Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs) to ensure the signer’s identity and the security of the document.
- Identity Verification: Identity is verified with high assurance. Commonly via eID, video identification, or other qualified methods recognized under national law.
- Certificate Issuance: A Qualified Certificate is issued and linked exclusively to the signer, stored in a secure QSCD (cloud or hardware).
- Signature Creation: The signer uses a 2FA process (e.g., smart card + PIN, mobile app + OTP) to sign the document.
- Evidence & Locking: The document is cryptographically sealed and timestamped. Any changes invalidate the signature.
Highest Legal Validity
QES is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature under eIDAS, perfect for transactions where enforceability and statutory recognition are required.
Strongest Identity Assurance
Using multi-factor authentication (2FA) and a secure certificate stored in a QSCD, QES ensures that only the verified signer can complete the action.
Compliant Across Borders
Accepted across the EU, and recognized or increasingly supported in many global legal systems making it ideal for cross-border transactions.
Confidence for Regulated Sectors
Used by banks, governments, insurers, and legal professionals, QES provides confidence in high-risk digital workflows, audits, and compliance reviews.
Compliance Across Jurisdictions
Europe — eIDAS Gold Standard
In Europe, QES is fully defined and enforced under the eIDAS Regulation. By law, it has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature and is automatically recognized across all EU member states. Because of this, QES is required for many types of public sector forms, high-value contracts, and notarized documents where maximum legal certainty is essential.
Latin America — Emerging QES Adoption
In Latin America, QES adoption is growing, often under local frameworks. Some markets require high-assurance identity verification or government-accredited certificates, while in other areas AdES or similar signature levels remain more common.
Asia-Pacific — Legal Equivalence in Progress
In APAC, many countries recognize high-assurance signatures often treated as QES. They are widely accepted for government filings, procurement, and regulated industries, and also hold weight in international arbitration.
Trusted Identity, Strongest Protection
QES uses multi-factor authentication and a Qualified Certificate. This guarantees non-repudiation, long-term validity, and compliance with strict regulations.
Why choose eID Easy for Qualified Electronic Signatures?
eID Easy removes the complexity from Qualified Electronic Signatures by integrating with over 80 Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs) worldwide, giving you flexibility, reliability, and full compliance through a single API. With eID Easy, you gain access to a broad range of QES methods, seamless user flows across Europe, LATAM, and APAC, and fully managed identity verification, certificate issuance, and compliance.
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