Is electronic signature legal in Ireland?
Yes, with some exceptions. Electronic signatures are valid in Ireland under the EU eIDAS Regulation and the Electronic Commerce Act 2000, and can be used for most business contracts. Wills, trusts, enduring powers of attorney, affidavits and the transfer of interests in land are excluded from the Act.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in Ireland at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- 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 Ireland
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 Ireland
- Most commercial contracts
- Employment contracts
- Contracts for the sale or acquisition of an interest in land (the contract itself, not the deed of transfer)
- Consumer agreements and terms of service
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Wills, codicils and other testamentary instruments under the Succession Act 1965
- Trusts
- Enduring powers of attorney
- Creating, acquiring, disposing of or registering an interest in real property (other than contracts for these). Regulations extended the Act to registered land in 2022, but deeds lodged for registration have in practice still required wet-ink signatures
- Affidavits and statutory or sworn declarations
- Rules, practices and procedures of courts and tribunals
Contracts that must be “in writing”
Under the Electronic Commerce Act 2000, a legal requirement for writing or a signature can be met electronically, provided the recipient consents to receiving it in electronic form. The exclusions in section 10 still apply.
E-signatures in Ireland: frequently asked questions
Are e-signed contracts enforceable in Ireland?
Yes. Under eIDAS and the Electronic Commerce Act 2000, an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect just because it is electronic, and most contracts can be signed this way.
Can a property deed be e-signed in Ireland?
The contract for sale can be signed electronically, but section 10 of the 2000 Act excludes the law on creating or transferring interests in land. Regulations made in 2022 (S.I. No. 55 of 2022) extended the Act to registered land, but in practice the registration authority, now Tailte Eireann, has required wet-ink signatures on deeds lodged for registration, so check its current requirements before e-signing a deed.
Can I sign a will electronically in Ireland?
No. Wills and other testamentary instruments are excluded from the Electronic Commerce Act 2000 and must follow the Succession Act 1965.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in Ireland, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in Ireland before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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