Digital transformation is accelerating throughout Europe, and with it the growing need for reliable solutions to sign and validate sensitive documents in a cross-border context. With this in mind,itsme® has taken another major step forward by extending the coverage of its Qualified Electronic Signature (QES ) services to seven new European countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

With this strategic expansion, itsme® is now available in 24 European countries, considerably strengthening its position as one of the most accessible and interoperable players in digital identity and qualified electronic signature on the continent.

eIDAS interoperability at the heart of expansion

One of the great strengths of itsme® lies in its strict compliance with the European eIDAS regulation (EU Regulation No. 910/2014), which establishes a common legal framework for electronic identification and digital trust services in all EU member states.

What is eIDAS interoperability?

The eIDAS regulation imposes mandatory cross-border recognition of qualified electronic signatures. In practical terms, this means that a qualified electronic signature created via itsme® in any European country automatically has the same legal value in all 27 EU Member States.

The benefits of interoperability for users

• Guaranteed legal recognition: Legal equivalence with a handwritten signature in all member states
• Administrative simplification: No need for different solutions in different countries
• Maximum legal security: Certified compliance with European technical and legal standards
• Trade fluidity: Faster cross-border processes for businesses

Greater accessibility for individuals and SMEs

itsme® is not just a tool designed for large multinational companies: its ease of use and intuitive interface make it an ally of choice for individuals and small and medium-sized businesses alike.

For private customers

itsme® enables European citizens to sign important documents securely online, without the need for physical travel or administrative paperwork. Common use cases include :

• Signing employment contracts and wage agreements
• Validation of banking agreements and account openings
• Signing of real estate leases and rental agreements
• Validation of official administrative documents
• Signing powers of attorney

For SMEs and entrepreneurs

For an SME operating on a European scale, itsme® is the guarantee of streamlined administrative and commercial processes, enabling electronically signed documents to be sent and received in just a few clicks, with the same legal security as a handwritten signature.

The availability of the itsme® service in these 7 new countries opens the door to a much wider market, where digital trust and legal security are key competitive factors for companies of all sizes.

Why choose a qualified electronic signature?

In a world where dematerialization of processes is becoming the norm, it is crucial to understand the differences between the three levels of electronic signature recognized by the eIDAS regulation.

Three levels of electronic signature

Qualified electronic signatures: the highest level of security

A simple electronic signature (such as typing your name into an e-mail or ticking an “I accept” box) may be sufficient for everyday documents of little importance, but it does not guarantee solid legal protection in the event of a dispute.

The Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), on the other hand, is the highest level of security recognized by the eIDAS regulation. It is based on three fundamental pillars:

1. Strict authentication of the signatory’s identity by a Qualified Trusted Service Provider (QTSP)
2. Use of a qualified signature creation device (QSCD) guaranteeing cryptographic integrity
3. Qualified certificate issued by a recognized and supervised authority

In other words, using QES via itsme® ensures that your most important documents – legal contracts, financial agreements, notarized documents, official acts – are protected and legally incontestable throughout the European Union.

The 7 new countries covered by itsme®

Austria

Austria, with its dynamic economy at the heart of Europe, now benefits from easier access to itsme® qualified signature services for its businesses and citizens.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria strengthens its digital transformation with the arrival of itsme®, facilitating cross-border exchanges for its growing economic fabric.

Czech Republic

Central Europe’s technology hub, the Czech Republic welcomes itsme® as a trusted solution for qualified electronic signatures.

Greece

Greece takes advantage of itsme® extension to modernize its administrative and commercial processes with qualified signatures.

Hungary

Hungarian companies can now use itsme® for their national and international transactions with maximum legal certainty.

Poland

With its dynamic market of over 38 million inhabitants, Poland represents a major strategic expansion for itsme®.

Slovakia

Slovakia completes this expansion in Central Europe, offering its citizens and businesses access to itsme® qualified signature services.

One step closer to a trusted digital Europe

With this extension to Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, itsme® confirms its strategic mission: to make digital identity and qualified signing accessible, simple and secure for all citizens and companies in Europe, whatever their size.

eIDAS interoperability, combined with itsme®’s fluid, intuitive user experience, represents a major step forward in the construction of a unified European digital market, where trust, legal certainty and ease of use are no longer options but recognized standards.

Key points to remember

• 24 European countries covered: itsme® considerably expands its geographical reach with the addition of 7 new countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Guaranteed eIDAS compliance: automatic cross-border recognition and legal equivalence with a handwritten signature throughout the EU.
• Simplicity and security: Intuitive interface combined with the highest level of legal security for individuals and businesses.
• Strategic expansion: Easier access to a market of over 400 million European citizens for qualified electronic signatures.

Now available in 24 European countries, itsme® is not just a geographical expansion. It’s a concrete step towards a safer, simpler and more connected digital Europe – serving individuals and SMEs alike, in a harmonized and secure regulatory environment.