Legal framework in Spain
Regulation (EU) 910/2014 (eIDAS) and Law 6/2020 on trust services establish three levels: simple, advanced and qualified signatures. An electronic signature cannot be rejected as evidence solely for being electronic.
Legal framework
eIDAS Regulation (EU) 910/2014 + Law 6/2020
How the legal framework evolved in Spain
1999
Royal Decree-Law 14/1999: Spain's first electronic-signature regulation.
2003
Law 59/2003 on Electronic Signatures consolidates the national framework.
2016
The eIDAS Regulation (EU) 910/2014 becomes fully applicable across the European Union.
2020
Law 6/2020 on electronic trust services adapts Spanish law to eIDAS.
2024
eIDAS 2 Regulation (EU) 2024/1183: the European Digital Identity Wallet is born, which member states must offer citizens.
Types of electronic signature in Spain
Simple electronic signature
Electronic data the signer uses to sign. It is valid and cannot be rejected as evidence for being electronic (art. 25 eIDAS). Firmiu's audit trail establishes who signed, when and from which device.
Advanced electronic signature
Uniquely linked to the signer and to the signed data, so any later change is detectable (art. 26 eIDAS). It's the usual standard for commercial contracts.
Qualified electronic signature
Created with a qualified certificate (FNMT, DNIe) and a secure device. It's the only one automatically equivalent to a handwritten signature (art. 25.2 eIDAS), though it's only required in specific cases.
What makes a signature valid in Spain?
For agreements between individuals and companies, a simple or advanced electronic signature is fully valid. Firmiu provides the audit trail — IP, device, location and verification — that proves authorship and integrity under eIDAS.
Which documents can you sign in Spain?
Can be signed electronically
- Service agreements
- Residential or commercial lease agreements
- Employment contracts and annexes
- Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
- Estimates and purchase orders
- GDPR consents and documents
Usually require a notary or handwritten signature
- Wills (they require a notary)
- Real-estate sales and mortgages (public deed)
- Prenuptial agreements
- Notarized powers of attorney
These lists are indicative: the document type and applicable law determine each case.
How to sign documents in Spain
Upload your PDF
Upload the document and enter the name and email of the person who must sign.
The signer receives a link
They get an email with a unique link and a verification code.
Signed document
The PDF is signed with its audit trail, ready to download.
Frequently asked questions
- Are electronic signatures legal in Spain?
- Yes. The eIDAS Regulation and Law 6/2020 grant them full validity in Spain and across the EU.
- What's the difference between simple, advanced and qualified signatures?
- They differ in the level of identification and security. Simple and advanced are enough for most private contracts.
- Are they valid in other EU countries?
- Yes. eIDAS guarantees recognition of electronic signatures across all member states.
- Is a simple electronic signature valid before a Spanish judge?
- Yes. Article 25 of eIDAS forbids denying it legal effect for being electronic; its evidentiary strength depends on the accompanying evidence, such as Firmiu's audit trail.
- What are eIDAS 2 and the European Digital Identity Wallet?
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 updates eIDAS and requires member states to offer a digital identity wallet with which citizens can identify themselves and sign across the EU. Its rollout is underway during 2026.
- Do I need an FNMT certificate to sign contracts?
- No. The FNMT certificate or DNIe are needed for dealings with the public administration; private contracts can be signed with a simple or advanced electronic signature.
- Can I sign a rental agreement electronically?
- Yes. Leases don't require a public deed, and audited electronic signatures are standard practice among real-estate agencies and landlords.
Official sources
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The validity of an electronic signature depends on the applicable legislation and the document type; for specific cases, consult a legal professional.
Guide reviewed and updated: July 2026.
Electronic signatures by profession
Guides for the industries that sign the most documents in Spain.
Related guides
Are electronic signatures legal? What you need to know
Electronic signatures are legal across Latin America, Spain and the United States. Here's what makes them valid and where they're recognized.
Types of electronic signature: simple, advanced and qualified
Not all electronic signatures are the same. Here are the three levels and which one you need for each document.
What documents can you sign electronically
Electronic signatures work for far more documents than you'd think. Here are the most common ones and the exceptions.
Electronic signature in other countries
Start signing in Spain
Create your free account and sign your first document in minutes.
Create free account