Simple, advanced or qualified electronic signature: which one do you need?
Qualified, advanced or simple electronic signature, explained under eIDAS and Romania's Law 214/2024. Learn when a simple one is enough and when you need a QES.
When you search for "electronic signature", you run into three terms that seem to mean the same thing: simple, advanced, and qualified. They are not the same. The difference matters, because some documents accept any of them and others strictly require a qualified signature.
This guide explains the terms. It is not legal advice: for a specific situation, ask a lawyer.
What the electronic signature law says
The common framework in the European Union is Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, known as eIDAS. It applies directly in every Member State. Two rules in Article 25 are essential:
- An electronic signature cannot be refused as evidence in court only because it is electronic or because it is not qualified.
- A qualified electronic signature has, across the Union, a legal effect equivalent to a handwritten signature.
In Romania, eIDAS is complemented by Law No 214/2024 on the use of electronic signatures, time stamps, and the provision of trust services based on them. The law was published in Monitorul Oficial No 647 of 8 July 2024, entered into force three months after publication, and repealed Law No 455/2001 on electronic signatures. If an older text cites Law 455/2001, it describes the rules from before October 2024.
Law 214/2024 states that every type of electronic signature has legal effect and can be used as evidence in court (Art. 3). A document signed with a qualified signature is treated as a private signed document (Art. 4). The same article gives simple and advanced signatures that effect in certain cases too, for example when the other party recognizes or performs the document, or when the parties agreed to it in writing beforehand (Art. 4(5) and (9)). If someone disputes a simple or advanced signature, the party relying on it must prove that the legal and technical conditions were met (Art. 5). That is why the evidence kept around the signature matters.
The three types at a glance
| Type | What it involves | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | Electronic data associated with the document and used by the signatory to sign. eIDAS does not require a certificate. | A typed name with explicit consent and a record of events. |
| Advanced | Uniquely linked to the signatory and capable of identifying them, created under their sole control, and reveals any later change to the document. | A certificate-based signature with identity checks on the signatory. |
| Qualified | An advanced signature based on a qualified certificate, created with a qualified device. Issued by a qualified trust service provider. | A token or cloud certificate from a qualified provider. |
Electronic signature vs. digital signature
"Digital signature" is not a separate type in the law. In everyday speech, people use it for a signature based on a certificate and cryptographic keys, usually the qualified signature on a token. The legal term is "electronic signature", with the three levels above.
Signit provides a simple electronic signature. It is not "digital" in that sense: it does not use an X.509 certificate and does not apply a cryptographic signature to the PDF.
When a simple electronic signature is enough
For many everyday documents, a simple signature with clear evidence is sufficient, unless the law or the other party requires a specific form:
- service or collaboration contracts between people and companies;
- non-disclosure agreements (NDAs);
- offers, orders, and their acceptance;
- internal approvals, handover reports, and confirmations between colleagues.
A Signit signature means the Signer's typed name, their explicit consent, and an ordered record of events. At the end you get the final PDF and a Certificate of Completion. The certificate is an evidence report, not a qualified digital certificate. Signit does not verify the Signer's legal identity. The concrete steps are in How to sign a PDF online for free, step by step.
When you need a qualified electronic signature
Use a qualified signature when:
- you file documents with ANAF, ONRC, or in REGES and the institution requires a qualified signature;
- a public institution, a bank, or your counterparty explicitly asks for a qualified signature;
- the law requires the effect of a handwritten signature for that document.
For this you need a qualified certificate from a qualified trust service provider. In Romania, examples of such providers are certSIGN, DigiSign, and Trans Sped. Qualified status belongs to each specific service, so check the service you choose on the trusted list published by the European Commission. Signit does not issue qualified certificates and does not replace such a provider.
Electronic signatures for private individuals
As a private individual, you do not need a company to sign electronically. You can sign with a simple signature, for example in Signit, where Signers do not even need an account. If you need a qualified signature, you also get it as an individual, from a qualified provider, after they verify your identity.
Frequently asked questions
Is a simple electronic signature valid in Romania?
Yes. Law 214/2024 states that every type of electronic signature has legal effect and can be used as evidence. If the signature is disputed, the party relying on it must prove it, which is why the record of events and the Certificate of Completion matter.
What is the difference between an electronic and a digital signature?
"Electronic signature" is the legal term and has three levels. "Digital signature" is a common name for a certificate-based signature, usually the qualified one.
Which signature do I need for ANAF?
For filings with ANAF, ONRC, or REGES that require a qualified signature, use a qualified certificate from a qualified provider. Signit's simple signature is not suitable for those filings.
Is Law 455/2001 still in force?
No. Law 455/2001 was repealed by Law 214/2024, which entered into force in October 2024.
How to sign a PDF online for free, step by step
Sign a PDF online for free with an electronic signature. Upload the PDF, add your Signers and send. They sign without an account, even on their phone.
Send documents for signature with Claude or ChatGPT
Send documents for signature with Claude or ChatGPT. Attach the PDF and the agent creates the Envelope in Signit, only as you and with every action audited.