What are the three signature levels under eIDAS?

The eIDAS Regulation distinguishes the simple electronic signature (SES), the advanced electronic signature (AES) and the qualified electronic signature (QES). The levels differ in how rigorously the signatory is identified, how the signing key is protected, and therefore in evidential weight in court.

Only the qualified electronic signature is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature under Article 25(2) eIDAS. The Regulation contains no general rule on which level applies to which transaction — that follows from the national form requirement and the liability at stake in each case.

Here's how the three levels differ:

• Simple electronic signature (SES): No prescribed identity verification and no certificate required. Evidential weight is low: the relying party must prove attribution to a person.
• Advanced electronic signature (AES): Under Article 26 eIDAS, uniquely linked to the signatory, created using data under their sole control, and capable of detecting subsequent changes.
• Qualified electronic signature (QES): AES plus a qualified certificate from a listed trust service provider plus a qualified signature creation device. Identity verification at a high level of assurance is mandatory.
• Burden of proof: With a QES the burden effectively reverses: it is presumed valid unless the contrary is proven. With SES and AES the relying party carries the proof.
• Cross-border recognition: Only the QES is automatically recognised as a qualified signature in every Member State under Article 25(3) eIDAS.
• Effort and user experience: Effort rises with the level — from a simple click confirmation to a verified identity with a qualified certificate.

Typical mapping by document type:

• SES: Internal approvals and routing slips, purchase orders and requisitions, announcements and supplier quotations with no form requirement.
• AES: Sale and lease agreements, account openings, simple employment contracts and HR documents with manageable liability.
• QES: Every document subject to a statutory written form requirement, consumer credit agreements, public authority documents and high-value contracts.

primesign ENTERPRISE supports simple, advanced and qualified signatures within the same workflow environment. The signature level can be fixed per document template, so users do not have to decide case by case — the most effective safeguard against form errors in live processes.