E-signature Legality in Portugal
As a member of the European Union, Portugal adheres to Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, also called eIDAS, which regulates electronic identification and trust services. This law was introduced in 2014 and came into full effect in 2016. It oversees the use of electronic signatures.
eIDAS recognizes three types of signatures: Simple Electronic Signature (SES), Advanced Electronic Signature (AdES), and Qualified Electronic Signature (QES). A QES has the most stringent standards, requiring a certificate issued by a qualified signature creation device.
Various Portuguese laws also regulate the use of e-signatures, including Decree-Law No. 12/2021, which manages implementation of eIDAS; Decree-Law No. 7/2004, which governs e-commerce; and Decree-Law No. 28/2019, which manages electronic invoice rules.
Work with a legal professional to ensure you’re following all relevant e-signature laws and regulations.
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