Is electronic signature legal in Finland?
Yes. Finnish contract law is largely free of form, and eIDAS plus the Act on Strong Electronic Identification and Electronic Trust Services make electronic signatures valid for most contracts. Real estate sales and family and inheritance documents follow special rules.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in Finland at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Main laws
Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183
Laki vahvasta sähköisestä tunnistamisesta ja sähköisistä luottamuspalveluista (617/2009)
- 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 Finland
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.
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.
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 Finland
- Most commercial contracts
- Employment contracts
- Leases
- Real estate sales made through the National Land Survey's electronic trading system
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Real estate sales outside the official electronic system, which must be signed on paper and confirmed by a public purchase witness
- Wills and other family and inheritance law documents that require witnesses
- Documents that require notarisation
Contracts that must be “in writing”
Finnish law has few written form requirements. Unless a qualified signature is used, the party relying on an electronic signature must be able to show the process was reliable if the signature is challenged.
E-signatures in Finland: frequently asked questions
Are e-signed employment contracts valid in Finland?
Yes. Employment contracts can be made in any form, so electronic signatures are valid.
Can real estate be bought electronically in Finland?
Yes, but only through the National Land Survey of Finland's electronic property trading service. Otherwise the deed is signed on paper in front of a public purchase witness.
Can a will be signed electronically in Finland?
No. A will must be in writing and signed in the presence of two witnesses.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in Finland, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in Finland before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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