eIDAS

The EU framework for electronic identification and trust services, and the source of the simple, advanced and qualified tiers.

eIDAS is the EU regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions. It is the reason European e-signature discussions use three tiers where US ones use none.

Simple electronic signature is the broad category — data in electronic form used to sign. Most products produce this.

Advanced electronic signature (AdES) adds four conditions: uniquely linked to the signatory, capable of identifying them, created using means under their sole control, and linked to the signed data so that any later change is detectable.

Qualified electronic signature (QES) is an AdES created by a qualified signature creation device using a qualified certificate issued by a qualified trust service provider on an EU member state's trusted list. It is the only tier with legal effect equivalent to a handwritten signature across the EU.

No software produces QES on its own — it requires a qualified TSP. A product claiming the tier without naming its provider is worth questioning.

Last reviewed 2026-09-18. Pactlyra produces a detailed evidence record for every completed document. Electronic signature validity depends on your jurisdiction, the document type, and how the transaction is carried out; nothing here is legal advice.