Is electronic signature legal in Belgium?
Yes. Belgium applies eIDAS, and Book 8 of the Civil Code recognises an electronic signature as a signature. A qualified signature has the same force as a handwritten one, while simple and advanced signatures are assessed by the judge, and acts that need a notarial deed follow notarial rules.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in Belgium at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Main laws
Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183
Civil Code, Book 8 (Evidence), introduced by the Law of 13 April 2019
Law of 21 July 2016 implementing eIDAS (Code of Economic Law, Book XII)
Law of 3 July 1978 on employment contracts, articles 3bis and 3ter
- Approach
- Tiered: simple, advanced and qualified
- EU member
- Yes. The eIDAS Regulation applies directly, so a qualified e-signature from any EU country has the effect of a handwritten signature.
Types of electronic signature in Belgium
Simple electronic signature
Any electronic data used to sign, such as a typed name, a click-to-sign box or a drawn signature. Under eIDAS it cannot be refused as evidence just because it is electronic, and it is used for most everyday contracts. In Belgium it has no automatic evidential force and the judge assesses it.
Advanced electronic signature (AES)
Uniquely linked to and able to identify the signer, under the signer's sole control, and linked to the data so later changes are detectable. It carries more evidential weight than a simple signature. It can be challenged, and then must be proven by any legal means.
Qualified electronic signature (QES)
An advanced signature made with a qualified signature creation device and based on a qualified certificate from a trust service provider on an EU trusted list. It has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature in every EU member state.
What you can sign electronically in Belgium
- Most commercial contracts
- Employment contracts, if signed with a qualified electronic signature (including the Belgian eID) and both parties agree
- Consumer contracts
- Private real estate purchase agreements (compromis) before the notarial deed
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Acts that require an authentic notarial deed, such as real estate transfers and mortgages for registration
- Wills, which must follow the forms set by the Civil Code
- Employment contracts signed with a non-qualified electronic signature are not treated as equal to a paper contract
Contracts that must be “in writing”
Since 1 November 2020, Book 8 of the Civil Code defines a signature to include an electronic signature, and an electronic writing that guarantees integrity and bears a signature has the same force as a private paper deed. Otherwise it counts only as a beginning of written proof.
E-signatures in Belgium: frequently asked questions
Are e-signed employment contracts valid in Belgium?
Yes, if both parties agree and the contract is signed with a qualified electronic signature, such as one made with the Belgian eID. A copy of the signed contract must be archived with a qualified electronic archiving service provider, free of charge for the worker.
Is a simple e-signature valid in Belgium?
It cannot be rejected just because it is electronic, but it has no automatic evidential force. A judge decides how much weight to give it if it is disputed.
Can a property sale be signed electronically in Belgium?
The private sale agreement can be, but the transfer must be recorded in a notarial deed to be registered and enforceable against third parties.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in Belgium, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in Belgium before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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