eIDAS 2.0: A New Era for Digital Signatures
The original eIDAS regulation from 2014 laid the foundation for digital signatures in Europe. Now, with eIDAS 2.0, the European Union takes an ambitious next step. The revised regulation introduces the European Digital Identity Wallet and significantly expands the possibilities for electronic signatures and trust services.
What Is eIDAS 2.0?
eIDAS stands for Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services. The original regulation ensured that electronic signatures received the same legal validity across all EU member states. eIDAS 2.0 builds on this with three major innovations:
#### 1. The European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDIW)
Every EU citizen will have the right to a digital identity wallet. With it, you can identify yourself online and offline, sign documents, and share personal data - all from an app on your phone.
The wallet will be issued by member states and is interoperable throughout Europe. This means a Dutch citizen can identify themselves with the wallet at a German government institution or a French company.
Impact on digital signing:
- Signers can identify themselves via the wallet at the highest level of assurance
- Qualified electronic signatures (QES) become more accessible to everyone
- Cross-border signing becomes easier than ever
eIDAS 2.0 introduces new categories of trust services:
- Electronic Ledgers: Distributed registers (blockchain) receive a legal framework
- Electronic Archiving: Standardized digital archiving with legal validity
- Remote Electronic Signing: Clearer rules for remote signing
- Electronic Attestation of Attributes: Digital verification of attributes (diplomas, certifications, authorizations)
Providers of trust services - including e-signature platforms - must meet stricter security requirements, reporting obligations, and interoperability standards.
Timeline: When Does This Take Effect?
Implementation is phased:
- 2024: eIDAS 2.0 regulation adopted by the European Parliament
- 2025-2026: Technical specifications and implementing decisions being developed
- 2026-2027: Member states begin rolling out the Digital Identity Wallet
- 2027: Deadline for public services to accept the wallet
- 2028: Private sector obligation for certain sectors
What Does This Mean for Your Organization?
#### For companies already signing digitally:
Good news - if you're already working with an eIDAS-compliant platform like ValidSign, you're already a big step ahead. The core principles of digital signatures remain the same. What changes:
- More identification options: The wallet becomes an additional way to verify signers
- Higher signature levels become standard: QES becomes more accessible, which is especially important for sectors with strict compliance requirements
- Cross-border usage grows: Contracts with parties in other EU countries become simpler
The urgency to switch to digital signing increases. eIDAS 2.0 makes digital signatures even more reliable and widely accepted. Organizations that fall behind risk:
- Working less efficiently than competitors
- Not connecting to the wallet infrastructure
- Facing compliance issues in regulated sectors
How ValidSign Is Prepared for eIDAS 2.0
ValidSign closely follows eIDAS 2.0 developments and actively participates in implementation:
- Wallet integration: ValidSign is preparing integration with the EUDIW, allowing signers to identify via the wallet
- QES support: Already fully supported. ValidSign offers qualified electronic signatures through recognized EU trust service providers
- Archiving services: ValidSign's audit trail and document storage are being prepared for new archiving standards
- Interoperability: We're working on seamless exchange with other European trust services
5 Steps to Prepare Your Organization
1. Inventory your current signing processes: Which documents are digitally signed? Which aren't? What signature level is used?
2. Assess your compliance position: Does your current e-signature solution meet eIDAS standards? Is data stored in Europe?
3. Plan Digital Identity Wallet integration: Discuss with your IT team how the wallet can be integrated into existing systems.
4. Upgrade to higher signature levels where needed: For legally sensitive documents, consider switching to AES or QES.
5. Choose a future-proof platform: Work with a European platform that actively invests in eIDAS 2.0 compliance.
Conclusion
eIDAS 2.0 is more than a regulatory update - it's the foundation for a fully digital European identity infrastructure. Organizations that invest now in eIDAS-compliant digital signatures are optimally positioned for the future.
ValidSign is ready to guide you through this transition. Schedule a conversation with our compliance experts or discover our eIDAS capabilities.
