Qualified electronic signature (QES)
The qualified electronic signature (QES) is the highest level of electronic signature under eIDAS and is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.
What is the qualified electronic signature (QES)?
The qualified electronic signature (QES) is the highest of the three eIDAS signature levels. It is based on a qualified certificate and created with a secure signature creation device.
Why is the QES special?
The QES is the only signature level that is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature (Art. 25 eIDAS). It offers the highest evidential value in court.
When do you need a QES?
Whenever the law requires written form or maximum legal certainty is needed, for example for certain contracts, terminations or dealings with public authorities.
How SecureCloud supports the QES
SecureSign supports the qualified electronic signature (QES) directly in SecureCloud, hosted in Germany. The QES is provided via a qualified trust service provider (QTSP), including remote identity verification of the signer and a qualified timestamp, making signatures legally equivalent to handwritten form.
Frequently asked questions
Is the QES legally like a signature?
Yes. Under Art. 25 eIDAS the qualified electronic signature is equivalent to a handwritten signature.
What do you need for a QES?
A qualified certificate from a qualified trust service provider and identity verification of the signing person.
What is the difference between QES and AES?
The AES is secure but not automatically equivalent to a handwritten signature. Only the QES has this legal equivalence.
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