What is eIDAS?
In short
eIDAS is the European Regulation (EU) 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services, such as electronic signatures, seals and time stamps. It ensures that a digital signature or login method from one EU country is also recognised in the other countries.
What does eIDAS regulate?
- Electronic identification: EU countries recognise each other's notified login methods for public services, so a Dutch resident can also log in with DigiD at a foreign government where it is connected.
- Trust services: rules for electronic signatures, electronic seals for organisations, time stamps, registered email and website certificates.
- Qualified services: providers that meet the strictest requirements and are audited against them are on a European trusted list. In the Netherlands, the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure (RDI) supervises them.
What changes with eIDAS 2?
The revised Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, known as eIDAS 2, adds the European Digital Identity Wallet: an app in which you store and share your identity and other data, such as diplomas or a driving licence. Under the regulation, EU countries must offer their residents a free wallet from the end of 2026; in the Netherlands the Ministry of the Interior (BZK) is working on the NLID wallet for this. Public services will also have to accept the wallets later. With the wallet you can also create qualified electronic signatures.
What does it mean for businesses?
For most contracts, a simple or advanced electronic signature from digital signing software is enough. eIDAS becomes important when you need the strongest evidential value, when you sign with parties in other EU countries, or when customers want to identify themselves with their wallet in future.
Which software helps with this?
Digital signing software usually offers simple and advanced signatures, and sometimes qualified ones via a recognised trust service. Ask which level you need for your documents.