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In the digitalization of contracts, consents, and commercial agreements, companies need a signing method that combines legal validity, agility, and technical security.
That’s where the Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) comes into play.
What Is an Advanced Electronic Signature
Regulation (EU) 910/2014 (eIDAS) defines an advanced electronic signature as one that:
- Is uniquely linked to the signer.
- Allows the identification of the signer.
- Is created using signature creation data that the signer can use under their sole control.
- Is linked to the signed data in such a way that any subsequent modification can be detected.
In other words, the advanced signature proves who signed, what was signed, and that the content has not been altered, providing a higher level of assurance than a simple signature.
Differences Between Simple, Advanced, and Qualified Signatures
| Type of signature | Identification | Security level | Technical requirements | Use cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | Basic (email, IP, code) | Medium | None required | Simple contracts, consents |
| Advanced | High (unique data and signer control) | High | Verifiable technical evidence | Business contracts, HR, B2B agreements |
| Qualified | Certified identification and secure device | Maximum | Qualified certificate and hardware | Public administration, notaries |
The advanced signature offers the perfect balance between security and usability, without the technical complexity or friction of the qualified signature.
Practical Examples of Advanced Signatures
B2B or commercial contracts: Agreements between companies can be signed digitally, as long as the representative’s identity is verified and the process is fully recorded.
Human resources: Documents such as employment contracts, annexes, or internal policies can be signed with an advanced signature without requiring physical certificates.
Consents and authorizations: Acceptance forms or informed consents in the healthcare or financial sector can be validated using an advanced signature with verifiable traceability.
Legal and financial agreements: Loan, service, or digital sales contracts can be executed with full legal certainty using an advanced signature.
How It Works in Practice
On a platform like eEvidSign by eEvidence, the advanced signature process follows a simple yet secure sequence:
- The sender uploads the document to the platform.
- A secure, unique link is generated for the signer.
- The link is sent to the signer —or signers— via registered email.
- The signer identifies themselves (for example, using an OTP key sent by SMS).
- The document is digitally signed.
- The system records all evidence (IP, time, hash, logs).
- The final document is delivered with complete signature evidence, digitally verified and signed by eEvidence.
The result is a digitally signed PDF, accompanied by verifiable evidence that guarantees authenticity, integrity, and traceability.
Advantages of the Advanced Signature
- Legally solid: fully compliant with Article 26 of the eIDAS Regulation.
- User-friendly: does not require qualified certificates or physical devices.
- Secure and verifiable: includes hashes, logs, and timestamps.
- Multi-device: signable from desktop, tablet, or mobile.
- Scalable: ideal for mass or automated signing workflows.
In short, the advanced signature enables the digitalization of legal and business processes with the same validity as a handwritten signature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does an advanced signature have legal validity?
Yes. As long as it meets the requirements of Article 26 of eIDAS and the signer’s identity and control can be demonstrated.
Do I need a digital certificate?
Not necessarily. A strong identification method (such as an OTP code or ID verification) can be used to ensure authenticity.
Can it be used for employment or commercial contracts?
Yes. It’s the most widely used signature level in business environments due to its balance between security and ease of use.
What happens if someone disputes the signature?
The technical evidence makes it possible to prove in court who signed, when, and what document was signed.
Conclusion
The advanced electronic signature represents the ideal balance between security, legality, and user experience. It provides full legal validity without the complexity of qualified certificates and enables documents to be signed securely, verifiably, and efficiently.
With solutions like eEvidSign by eEvidence, companies can automate the signing of contracts and documents with complete traceability, fully compliant with eIDAS and ensuring maximum legal reliability.
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