Learn how signature certificates keep your agreements secure and legally binding
QUALIFIED ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE
EU compliance for every critical agreement
PandaDoc’s qualified electronic signature (QES) supports multiple signers and seamlessly integrates with trusted identity providers (IdPs) across the EU and beyond.
No credit card required
More than 68,000 businesses trust PandaDoc for e-signatures
What is a qualified electronic signature (QES)?
A qualified electronic signature (QES) is the highest standard of e-signature under the electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services (eIDAS) regulations in the EU. It provides legal assurance equivalent to a handwritten signature by verifying the signer’s identity through an accredited provider. A QES can also be referred to as an eIDAS-compliant signature.
This type of “know your customer” (KYC) qualified electronic signature is essential for regulated industries like HR, legal, and finance when signing contracts, employee documents, or cross-border agreements. QES signatures provide businesses the certainty that their agreements are legally binding and that their customers are who they say they are.
The superior way to capture important signatures
Stay 100% compliant
Every QES is backed by accredited Trust Service Providers (TSPs) so every high-trust document is legally binding.
Deliver reliable security
Our built-in Identity Provider (IdP) integration provides real-time identity verification before recipients sign.
Simplify every signing
PandaDoc provides an embedded signing experience with multi-signer support for both sequential and parallel signatures
How our QES features work
Prepare to send your document
Drag and drop a signature field into your document and assign it to an individual recipient. Signers must be individual recipients, not groups or cc’d recipients. If multiple signers are assigned, you can set the signing order.
Capture recipient signatures
Once you send your document, the first recipient receives it and is prompted to sign. Once they do, it’s sent to the next recipient in the signing order. Once everyone’s signed, the document locks, protecting its integrity.
Verify signer identities
Once the document is locked, each signer — starting with the most recent — will be prompted to verify their identity via email and easy-to-follow visual cues provided by their local identity provider (IdP).
Execute the document
Once all signers have verified their identity with their local identity provider, the executed document becomes available for all parties to download for their records.
"PandaDoc has a personal touch — they listen, adapt, and support us like true partners. This has made all the difference. I know I can reach out to them anytime. They take their time to walk us through everything, and I can trust that they’ll help us resolve any issues quickly."
Revenue Operations Analyst at Wizehire
Here’s what PandaDoc QES brings to your business
Faster contract execution
Businesses can quickly generate contracts and receive signed agreements in just hours. Our signing order forwarding and automated reminders keep agreements moving without the need for follow-ups.
Effortless confidence
The secure identity verification process ensures regulatory compliance. Sensitive tasks like onboarding new employees or obtaining patient consent result in accessible, legally binding documents.
An easier signing process
PandaDoc QES allows recipients to sign from any device and receive steps for verification via email. Real-time status tracking also keeps all parties informed until agreements are completed.
Strong data safeguards
Advanced, end-to-end encryption and identity verification ensure any sensitive information remains protected. Secure, unique links are provided to all parties throughout the signing process, as well.
Our e-signature resources are perfect for quick reference
Start collecting secure signatures with PandaDoc
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Frequently asked QES questions
Is PandaDoc accepted in the EU?
Yes, PandaDoc has clients all over the world, including many in the European Union (EU). Our software engineers and legal team have made e-signature regulatory compliance a priority for years now to ensure that our software produces eIDAS compliant signatures that keep European businesses moving.
Which European countries follow which regulations?
QES signatures are trusted, compliant, and legally binding across the EU, which includes the following countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Republic of Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
If your business is located in any of the following countries, then your electronic signatures must meet the qualified electronic signature standard.
What is eIDAS?
eIDAS stands for electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services that establishes the EU regulations that govern e-signatures and other digital-first methods of identity verification. Using the right tools in PandaDoc, signatures you capture from your customers, employees, and business partners can all be eIDAS compliant.
Why should I use a qualified electronic signature?
Qualified electronic signatures are the highest standard in the EU for legally binding signatures. Because electronic signatures are made digitally, there must be a verification that the person signing is who they say they are — and QES provides this verification. Electronic signatures that don’t meet the QES signature standard may not be legally binding and can leave the parties in an agreement with a legal headache (should a conflict occur).
Which type of digital signature do I need?
If you’re a EU-based business, it’s recommended that every electronic signature you use — for contracts and agreements of any kind — be qualified electronic signature. This standard provides the best legal protection and allows all parties to sign and proceed with their agreement with confidence.
What are the most common use cases for QES?
QES is recommended for any kind EU digital signature, but it particularly critical in industries where contracts and agreements govern business integrity — and conflicts can end up in court.
This is common in the finance space, HR departments, and at law firms. A QES on a critical document means that verified parties have agreed to certain terms, hold certain responsibilities, and that, if there is a conflict, verified parties are legally accountable to what they agreed to.