You receive a contract by email. You print it, sign it with a pen, scan it, and send it back as an attachment. The document sometimes takes several days to return signed by the other party. This sequence, still common, poses a concrete problem: it slows down commitments and weakens the traceability of exchanges. Electronic signatures eliminate these unnecessary steps and provide a level of security that scanning a handwritten signature does not guarantee.
What the eIDAS 2.0 regulation changes for signing a document in 2026
Most guides on electronic signatures present the European legal framework as a fixed backdrop. However, the eIDAS regulation, initially adopted in 2014, has undergone a major overhaul. eIDAS 2.0, adopted in March 2024, requires each member state to provide its citizens with a European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) by the end of 2026.
This wallet will natively integrate strong authentication methods and legally binding electronic signatures. According to Docusign, the EU aims for 80% of citizens to adopt this wallet by 2030. ABI Research estimates that 169 million digital identity wallets should be in circulation in Europe by 2026.
In practical terms, this means that the signer will no longer need to create an account on a third-party platform to apply an advanced or qualified signature. The verified identity will be carried by the wallet itself, reducing reliance on proprietary solutions. For businesses, anticipating this transition is a strategic choice: the signature processes implemented today will need to be compatible with this new standard.
If you are looking to understand how to easily create an electronic signature before this deadline, now is the right time to choose a solution that will align with eIDAS 2.0 without costly migration.
Simple, advanced, or qualified electronic signature: choosing the right level of security
You may have read that an electronic signature has “the same legal value” as a handwritten signature. This is true, but incomplete. The legal value depends on the level of signature used, and this level determines the evidential strength in case of a dispute.
Simple signature: quick but limited
A click on an “I accept” button, a checked box, a name typed at the bottom of an email. These actions constitute simple electronic signatures. They are sufficient for low-stakes documents (internal purchase orders, acknowledgments of receipt).
The burden of proof lies with the party invoking the signature. In case of a dispute, it will be necessary to demonstrate that the signer indeed consented. The evidence file (IP address, timestamp, associated email) then becomes crucial.
Advanced signature: the right compromise for most contracts
The advanced signature uniquely binds the signer through identity verification (ID, SMS code, two-factor authentication). It detects any changes to the document after signing.
For a commercial contract, a lease, an HR amendment, or an NDA, this level offers a balance between process fluidity and legal security. It is the most deployed level in companies that have structured their dematerialization processes.
Qualified signature: reserved for regulatory cases
This requires a certificate issued in person (or via certified video) by a qualified trust service provider. It is the digital equivalent of signing in front of a notary. Authentic acts, public contracts, certain banking documents: the use cases are specific and regulated by law.
- Internal document or minor commitment: simple signature, quick to implement, without in-depth identity verification.
- Commercial contract, confidentiality agreement, HR document: advanced signature with signer verification and complete traceability.
- Notarial act, public contract, regulated banking operation: qualified signature with a certificate issued by a trusted provider.
Common mistakes that weaken the legal value of an electronic signature
Adopting a signature tool is not enough. Several common practices reduce the evidential strength of signed documents, sometimes without users realizing it.
Modifying a document after collecting signatures is the most serious mistake. Even a trivial addition (page number, header) invalidates the integrity proof generated by the underlying digital signature. The signed file must remain strictly identical to the one validated by the signer.
Another pitfall: using a simple signature for a document that requires reliable identification of the signer. An NDA signed with a simple click, without any identity verification, can be contested by arguing that anyone with access to the recipient’s email could have clicked.
Not archiving the evidence file also weakens the legal position. Most solutions generate a proof file (audit log, signature certificate) that must be kept as long as the document itself. If your solution stores this file for one year while the contract runs for five years, you lose your proof long before a potential dispute.
Concrete criteria for choosing an electronic signature solution
The market offers dozens of platforms. Instead of comparing pricing grids that change every quarter, focus on three technical criteria that determine long-term reliability.
- Verifiable eIDAS compliance: the provider must be listed on the European Trusted List for advanced and qualified levels. A simple “eIDAS compliant” logo on a website does not constitute proof.
- Interoperability with the future EUDI Wallet: ask the provider for their integration roadmap with the European digital identity wallet. A solution that ignores this evolution will expose you to forced migration.
- Retention of the evidence file: check the duration of archiving for the audit log and signature certificate. Archiving must cover at least the validity period of the signed document.
- Accepted document formats: PDF remains the standard, but some solutions also handle Word files or web forms. Ensure that the format matches your actual usage.
According to the France Num Barometer 2024, 36% of micro and small businesses use an electronic signature solution. This rate rises to 59% for companies with more than 50 employees. The gap often reflects a perceived barrier regarding implementation complexity, while current solutions allow sending a first document for signature in just a few minutes.
The choice of signature level and platform is not a one-time decision. With the arrival of the European digital identity wallet, companies that have documented their needs by document type (contract, invoice, amendment) will be best prepared to adapt their processes without completely rebuilding them.