What is eIDAS?
eIDAS, which stands for Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services, is a regulation set by the European Union to establish a secure and reliable framework for electronic transactions.
The regulation ensures that all member states recognise each other’s electronic identification schemes and grants electronic signatures the same legal standing as their handwritten counterparts.
eIDAS applies to all 27 member states and prevails over national law. Due to its EEA relevance, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland also implemented eIDAS into their national law.
What does Simple, Advanced and Qualified mean?
The three eIDAS levels are based on the level of assurance provided by the electronic identification and authentication methods used in a transaction. These levels are:
Simple Electronic Signature (SES) – Basic methods like typed names or clicks
Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) – Uniquely linked to the signer and tamper-evident
Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) – Meets AES requirements and is backed by a government-approved provider
The higher the level, the stronger the legal presumption — especially for cross-border or high-value contracts.
With Connie you can issue and sign documents using either Simple Electronic Signatures or Advanced Electronic Signatures (Denmark only for the time being).
Are they all legally valid?
Yes!
An electronic signature (either simple, advanced or qualified) shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form or that it does not meet the requirements for qualified electronic signatures.
💡 Across all EU Member States, the legal effects of electronic signatures are laid down in Article 25 of eIDAS.
Why This Matters for You
If you're just signing a basic NDA a consent form or internal documents, a simple electronic signature might be enough.
But if you're signing higher-stakes contracts, cross-border agreements, or similar, you may need the added assurance and compliance of a digital signature — ideally one that meets eIDAS standards.
At Connie, we make this easy by offering a secure and legally compliant e-signature solution built with European regulations in mind. So whether you need a simple signature or advanced protection, we’ve got you covered.
DISCLAIMER: Connie is not a law firm and this article should not be relied on as legal advice.