Creating an electronic signature is not just about choosing a tool and clicking “sign.” The level of security, legal value, and regulatory framework vary depending on the type of signature chosen. For a business or a freelancer, the choice between simple, advanced, or qualified signature determines both the cost, the complexity of the identity verification process, and the evidential weight of the signed document.
Simple, advanced, or qualified signature: what each level concretely implies
| Criterion | Simple signature (SES) | Advanced signature (SEA) | Qualified signature (SEQ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity verification | Email or checkbox | ID document, multifactor authentication | Face-to-face verification or certified equivalent |
| Digital certificate | Not required | Certificate linked to the signer | Qualified certificate issued by a trusted service provider |
| Legal value (eIDAS) | Admissible, burden of proof on the issuer’s side | Presumption of enhanced reliability | Equivalent to a handwritten signature |
| Typical use case | Terms and conditions, internal purchase orders | Commercial contracts, leases | Notarial acts, public contracts |
| Relative cost | Low or included in the subscription | Moderate | Higher (certification and audit) |
The majority of common documents (quotes, service contracts, HR documents) are processed with a simple or advanced signature. The qualified signature remains reserved for situations where regulations require it or when the risk of contestation justifies a higher investment.
Before selecting a solution, it is useful to understand the steps to create an electronic signature suited to the desired security level, as the technical process differs significantly from one level to another.
Adoption of electronic signatures in France: a persistent gap between small businesses and large companies
France Num indicates that in 2024, only 36% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) use an electronic signature solution. This figure reveals a marked gap with larger organizations, which have often been equipped for several years.
Several factors explain this delay. Small businesses still associate electronic signatures with a cumbersome technical process. The perceived cost of qualified solutions also hinders adoption, while a simple signature suffices for most of their daily needs.
Concrete barriers for small businesses
- Lack of awareness of signature levels: many SME leaders are unaware that a simple, free, or low-cost signature has legal value recognized by the eIDAS regulation
- Absence of digitized document processes: without electronic document management upstream, electronic signatures are difficult to integrate into the workflow
- Concerns about compliance: the fear of incorrectly choosing the signature level leads some companies to postpone the decision
In contrast, companies that have made the leap notice a significant reduction in signing times. A document sent electronically can be signed in a few minutes, whereas the paper circuit takes several days.
eIDAS 2 and EUDI wallet: what changes for creating signatures
The eIDAS 2 regulation introduces the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI wallet), which changes how a signer proves their identity before signing. This wallet relies on strong authentication combining multifactor verification, biometrics, or PIN, and device-related security.
This mechanism brings the common use of a highly evidential signature closer, without going through traditional certification channels. DocuSign emphasizes that standardization around the digital identity wallet can eliminate some certification fees associated with qualified signatures and simplify compliance audits.
Impact on the signature creation process
With the EUDI wallet, the identity verification process for the signer is simplified. The user presents their digital identity from their device, and the signature platform uses this data to generate a certificate linked to the signer.
For businesses, this means fewer manual steps during identity verification. The process for advanced or qualified signatures becomes accessible without a physical appointment or sending supporting documents by mail.
Choosing an electronic signature solution: technical criteria to check
Signature platforms are not distinguished solely by their price. Several technical parameters determine whether a solution is suitable for regular professional use.
- eIDAS compliance: the solution must specify which signature levels it supports (SES, SEA, SEQ) and whether it relies on a qualified trusted service provider
- Accepted document formats: some platforms are limited to PDF, while others also handle Word documents or online forms
- Audit trail: each signature must generate a timestamped log tracking the actions of the signer (document opening, acceptance, signature), which serves as proof in case of dispute
- Integration with existing tools: API, CRM or ERP connectors, compatibility with office suites used daily
A criterion often overlooked concerns the storage of signed documents. An electronic signature loses its value if the document is altered after signing. The platform must guarantee the integrity of the file through cryptographic sealing and offer compliant archiving.
Anti-money laundering compliance and enhanced verification
For certain sectors (financial services, real estate), identity verification during signing is part of a broader KYC and AML compliance framework. According to Docaposte, the AMLR was adopted on May 31, 2024 and will apply in member states from July 10, 2027, with a more homogeneous European framework for identity checks.
Electronic signature solutions intended for these sectors will need to integrate enhanced identity verifications from the signing process, further bringing advanced signatures closer to qualified signatures in terms of rigor.
Choosing an electronic signature solution thus depends as much on the industry as on the volume of documents to be processed. A small business that signs a few contracts per month does not have the same constraints as a brokerage firm subject to anti-money laundering obligations. Identifying the required signature level by document type remains the first decision to make before comparing platforms.