Signature types ✍️

With fynk, you can sign documents electronically and use different types of electronic signatures. Which signature type is suitable depends on factors such as the document, the desired level of security, and the applicable legal requirements.

Under the European eIDAS Regulation, three types of electronic signatures are generally distinguished:

A Simple Electronic Signature (SES) is the most basic form of electronic signature.

It is used to electronically express a person's consent to a document. Here, users only need to provide a signature without the necessity for a second authentication step.

Examples of simple electronic signatures include:

An SES is particularly suitable for documents and processes where enhanced identity verification is not required.

An Advanced Electronic Signature (AES) provides a higher level of security than a simple electronic signature.

It is uniquely linked to the signer and allows for stronger verification of their identity. In this approach, a secondary authentication step is implemented through a code sent to a mobile device (via SMS or WhatsApp).

An AES is suitable for many business agreements and contracts where a higher level of security and traceability is desired.

Typical use cases may include:

A Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) provides the highest level of security of the three electronic signature types.

It is a special form of advanced electronic signature and requires additional security measures. These include reliable identity verification and a qualified certificate issued by a qualified trust service provider.

Under the European eIDAS Regulation, a qualified electronic signature generally has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.

A QES is therefore particularly relevant for documents subject to especially high legal or regulatory signature requirements.

The three signature types primarily differ in terms of identity verification, security, and traceability.

Which signature type is suitable or required for a particular document depends on the specific use case and the applicable legal requirements.

Not every contract automatically requires a qualified electronic signature. For many business agreements, a simple or advanced electronic signature may be sufficient.

However, for documents subject to specific statutory form requirements, you should check in advance which type of signature is required.

Electronic signatures are governed within the European Union by the eIDAS Regulation.

As a general principle, an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect or admissibility as evidence solely because it is in electronic form or because it does not meet the requirements for qualified electronic signatures.

However, its specific legal effect may depend on the signature type used, the document in question, and applicable statutory form requirements.

Under eIDAS, a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES) explicitly has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.

The terms electronic signature and digital signature are often used interchangeably, but they do not describe exactly the same thing.

An electronic signature describes the electronic process through which a person expresses their consent to a document.

A digital signature, on the other hand, refers to a technical method that uses cryptographic processes to help ensure, for example, the authenticity of the signer and the integrity of a document.

Digital signature technologies can be used in particular for advanced and qualified electronic signatures.

Would you like to learn more about electronic signatures, their legal framework, security levels, and possible use cases?

Our comprehensive guide provides further information about SES, AES, and QES, the eIDAS Regulation, and the legal validity of electronic signatures: 👉 Electronic Signatures: A Complete Guide