What Is eIDAS: A Complete Guide

What is eIDAS? If you’ve ever used a digital signature, logged into an online government portal, or questioned how identity works in a connected Europe, you’re already closer to the answer than you think.

As more of our daily lives shift into the virtual realm, the demand for security, fidelity, and smooth cross-border experiences continues to rise.

This article takes a closer look at the driving forces behind eIDAS. We'll explore its growing influence, and the role it plays in shaping the future of cyber interactions across the EU and beyond.

What is eIDAS?

eIDAS, which stands for Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services, is a cornerstone regulation of the European Union (No 910/2014).

It establishes a consistent legal and technical foundation for secure electronic interactions over EU countries. eIDAS promotes interoperability and mutual recognition of virtual profile and assurance mechanisms.

Main Components

1. Electronic Identification (eID)

The framework enables EU member states to notify their national identity schemes, making them accessible and valid throughout the Union.

This facilitates seamless access to online systems—such as tax declarations, company registrations, or university enrollments—using domestic credentials.

• eIDs are evaluated according to three warranty levels: low, substantial, and high. Only the upper two levels are eligible for recognition spanning borders.
• Member states implement eIDAS nodes, which act as gateways to ensure compatibility between different internal systems.

2. Trust Services

Beyond ID verification, eIDAS governs several agencies that guarantee the reliability and statutory enforceability of online transactions.

These are delivered by certified providers—known as Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs)—under the supervision of national authorities.

Key offerings include:

• Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES): The equivalent of handwritten wet signatures, offering full legal effect throughout the EU. These rely on accredited licenses and secure devices.
• Electronic Seals: Issued by organizations to guarantee the origin and integrity of digital content.
• Time Stamps: Provide tamper-proof evidence of the exact moment data was created or altered.
• Registered Delivery Services: Confirm verifiable transmission of information, essential for law and business correspondence.
• Website Authentication Certificates: Enhance surety by verifying the credentials of website operators, supplementing traditional TLS/SSL encryption.

Governance and Ecosystem

• Each country publishes an official trust list identifying all approved QTSPs and their programs.
• Legitimate harmonization across the bloc ensures consistent standards for reliability, transparency, and oversight.
• The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) supports the technical infrastructure, promoting streamlined and interoperable service delivery.

The Evolution: eIDAS 2.0

To meet modern needs, the EU is introducing eIDAS 2.0, which contains the European Digital Identity Wallet.

This tool will allow individuals and businesses to securely store and share verified credentials, such as diplomas, age confirmations, or medical records—while maintaining complete control over their data.

eIDAS electronic signature types

1. Simple Electronic Signature (SES)

At the base level lies the SES, a broad concept that includes any electronic mark or procedure signaling consent or intent.

Examples include scanned images of handwritten autographs, typed names appended to messages, or ticking acceptance boxes online.

• Technical Characteristics:
  This type lacks cryptographic backing and does not involve eIDAS certificates or key pairs. Verification relies primarily on contextual or procedural controls rather than technological guarantees.

• Security Implications:
  Due to weak safeguards, SES is vulnerable to forgery and unauthorized modification. It is therefore unsuitable for situations demanding electronic identifier.

• Judicial Relevance:
  While it can serve as preliminary proof of agreement, it usually requires further evidence to establish the signatory’s authenticity. This limits its suitability for significant or formal contracts.

2. Advanced Electronic Signature (AdES)

Moving up the scale, the AdES employs advanced eIDAS compliant mechanisms to uniquely associate the mark with both the signer and the document.

• Technical Architecture:
  Utilizes asymmetric encryption, relying on private-public key pairs given by accredited Trust Service Providers. The process generates a cryptographic hash of the content combined with the key.

• eIDAS Regulation:
  Implementations comply with ETSI norms, including:
  - XAdES for XML-based data
  - CAdES for CMS/PKCS#7 structures
  - PAdES tailored for PDF files

• Security Features:
  This type guarantees that the person exclusively controls their password, clearly identifies the originator, and ensures that any alteration invalidates the digital signature - eIDAS.

• Legal Standing:
  AdES enjoys a presumption of authenticity and enhanced evidential strength, making it suitable for formal agreements, regulatory filings, and communications requiring elevated trust.

3. Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)

At the highest tier, the QES combines thorough electronic identification with state-of-the-art cryptographic protections, overseen by certified authorities.

• Issuance Process:
  QES requires a Qualified eIDAS Certificate granted solely by Qualified Trust Service Providers. It is subject to strict regulatory oversight, frequent audits, and compliance with ETSI EN 319 401 and EN 319 411.

• Creation Mechanism:
  The eIDAS signature is produced with a Qualified Signature Creation Device. This is a tamper-resistant hardware module, smart card, or registered software environment engineered to safeguard the signer’s private key.

• Technical Specs:
  Asymmetric cryptography ensures the personal code remains securely stored, while the corresponding public key is contained within the certificate. Qualified electronic timestamps (QTS) further enhance temporal validity.

• Compatibility:
  QES complies with ETSI-defined profiles, guaranteeing interoperability and acceptance throughout all EU member states, thereby supporting eIDAS's goal.

• Legal Effectiveness:
  Article 25 of eIDAS confirms that a QES holds the same legal status as a handwritten signature across the EU, enabling unchallenged cross-border enforceability.

How to use eIDAS?

eIDAS certificate for individuals

The eIDAS structures allows citizens to use their domestic electronic identification to access official portals in other EU member states.

Steps:

1. Confirm that your national eID is recognized.
2. Visit the online service platform of the country you need to interact with.
3. Authenticate with your details (e.g., smart ID card, mobile solution).

To legally sign documents online:

1. Obtain a qualified certificate from a recognized trust service provider.
2. Use an approved digital signature application.
3. Sign PDFs or XML files with your credentials.

eIDAS certificate for organizations

1. Integrate trusted tools such as advanced seals, timestamps, or identity verification solutions.
2. Utilize company-level eSeals to validate the origin and integrity of corporate documents.
3. Automate compliance tasks like invoicing, procurement, and management through eIDAS-aligned infrastructures.

eIDAS certificate for public administrations

• Connect systems to the eIDAS interoperability protocols via designated nodes.
• Accept and verify credentials with minimal modification.

Trust eIDAS services: table

Conclusion

eIDAS plays a pivotal role in harmonizing electronic transactions throughout Europe, providing a robust legal framework that guarantees security, interoperability, and trustworthiness.

As technology advances, this regulation will continue to underpin reliable and efficient online exchanges, making it indispensable for governments, businesses, and individuals embracing the digital era.