Are electronic signatures legally valid?

Yes: in the European Union, an electronic signature cannot lose validity just because it is electronic. But there are several types, and it's worth knowing which one to use in each case.

MultiDocs team3 min readUpdated 29 October 2026With official sources

In 30 seconds

Yes: the European eIDAS regulation forbids denying a signature validity just because it is electronic (Article 25(1)).
There are three types: simple, advanced and qualified. Only the qualified one is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature, but the others also count as evidence.
For everyday consent forms, quotes and contracts, an electronic signature with a proof of signature is enough.

What the law says

Electronic signatures are regulated across the European Union by Regulation (EU) 910/2014, known as eIDAS. In Spain it is complemented by Ley 6/2020, which regulates certain aspects of electronic trust services.

The regulation states that an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect or admissibility as evidence just because it is electronic.

"An electronic signature shall not be denied legal effect and admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings solely on the grounds that it is in an electronic form or that it does not meet the requirements for qualified electronic signatures."
Regulation (EU) 910/2014 (eIDAS), Article 25(1) · View the official source

"A qualified electronic signature shall have the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature."
Regulation (EU) 910/2014 (eIDAS), Article 25(2) · View the official source

And Spanish law confirms it for any electronic document:

"Public, administrative and private electronic documents have the legal value and effect corresponding to their respective nature, in accordance with the legislation applicable to them."
Ley 6/2020, Article 3.1 · View the official source

Official figures

Art. 25

of the European eIDAS regulation: a signature cannot be denied validity just because it is electronic.

Source: EUR-Lex

3 types

of electronic signature are defined by eIDAS: simple, advanced and qualified.

Source: EUR-Lex, Art. 3

5 years

is the maximum validity of a qualified certificate in Spain.

Source: BOE, Ley 6/2020 Art. 4.2

The three types of electronic signature

Type	What it is	What it's used for
Simple	Any electronic data used to sign: a finger-drawn signature, an acceptance tick box.	Consent forms, quotes, delivery notes and most everyday documents.
Advanced	Uniquely linked to the signer, it allows them to be identified and detects any later change to the document.	Contracts and documents where being able to prove who signed matters.
Qualified	An advanced signature created with a qualified device and a qualified certificate. Equivalent to a handwritten signature.	Procedures that expressly require it, such as some with public authorities.

How to strengthen the evidence of a signature

If there's ever a dispute, what matters is being able to prove who signed, when, and that the document hasn't changed. That's why MultiDocs adds to every signed document a proof of signature with the date and time, the signer's email, the IP address, the browser and the digital fingerprint (SHA-256) of the original document.

Which signature do I need?

To sign your own everyday paperwork: a simple signature.
For school consent forms, consents and standard contracts: an electronic signature with a proof of signature.
If a rule or an authority requires a qualified signature (for example, with a digital certificate), use that one.

This guide is for information only and does not replace a lawyer's advice for your specific case.

FAQs

Is a signature made with your finger on a phone legal?

Yes, it is an electronic signature under eIDAS and it cannot be denied validity just because it is electronic. Its weight as evidence increases if it comes with a proof of signature.

What is eIDAS?

It is Regulation (EU) 910/2014, which regulates electronic identification and signatures across the European Union.

Which one is equivalent to a handwritten signature?

The qualified electronic signature.

Official sources

We checked each source on 29 October 2026. If you spot an out-of-date figure, write to us at info@multidocs.es.

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