Legal framework in Germany
The eIDAS Regulation (EU) 910/2014 and the Trust Services Act (VDG, 2017) govern electronic signatures, with three levels: simple, advanced and qualified. The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) is the supervisory authority.
Legal framework
eIDAS and the Trust Services Act (VDG)
What makes a signature valid in Germany?
To replace the written form required by law a qualified signature is needed; for most private agreements a simple or advanced one is enough. Firmiu accompanies every signature with its audit trail.
How to sign documents in Germany
1
Upload your PDF
Upload the document and enter the name and email of the person who must sign.
2
The signer receives a link
They get an email with a unique link and a verification code.
3
Signed document
The PDF is signed with its audit trail, ready to download.
Frequently asked questions
- Are electronic signatures legal in Germany?
- Yes. eIDAS and the 2017 VDG grant them full validity.
- When do I need a qualified signature?
- When the law requires written form; for most private contracts it isn't necessary.
- Who supervises the system?
- The Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur, BNetzA).
Electronic signature in other countries
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