Is electronic signature legal in Romania?
Yes. Since 8 October 2024 Law 214/2024 governs electronic signatures in Romania, and all three eIDAS types have legal effect. A qualified signature equals a handwritten one, while simple and advanced signatures have that effect only under conditions set by the law, and real estate transfers still need a notarial deed.
Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
E-signature law in Romania at a glance
- Status
- Legal
- Main laws
Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183
Law No. 214/2024 on the use of electronic signatures, time stamps and trust services (Monitorul Oficial No. 647 of 8 July 2024)
Law No. 208/2021 approving Government Emergency Ordinance No. 36/2021 on electronic signatures for employment documents
- 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 Romania
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. Under Law 214/2024 it has the effect of a handwritten signature only under the conditions the law sets; otherwise it may count as the beginning of written proof.
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. Under Law 214/2024 it can meet written form where the law gives it handwritten-signature effect.
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 Romania
- Most commercial contracts
- Employment contracts, using an advanced or qualified signature, under Law 208/2021
- Employer documents such as HR forms, using simple, advanced or qualified signatures or an electronic seal
- Consumer contracts
Documents that need a handwritten signature or extra formalities
- Real estate transfers and other acts that require an authentic notarial deed
- Wills, which must follow the Civil Code's forms
- Acts that require written form for validity cannot be signed with only a simple electronic signature
Contracts that must be “in writing”
Under Law 214/2024, an electronic act signed with a qualified signature, or with the type of signature the law specifies, has the same effect as a written act. Where written form is needed for validity, a simple signature is not enough.
E-signatures in Romania: frequently asked questions
Are e-signed employment contracts valid in Romania?
Yes. Since Law 208/2021 the parties can conclude, amend, suspend or end an employment contract using an advanced or qualified electronic signature.
What changed with Law 214/2024?
It replaced Law 455/2001 on electronic signatures from 8 October 2024 and gave simple and advanced signatures defined legal effects. Proposals to amend or repeal it to align with eIDAS 2 were under discussion in 2026.
Can real estate be sold with an e-signature in Romania?
No. Real estate transfers require an authentic notarial deed.
Sources
This page is general information about e-signature law in Romania, not legal advice. It was last reviewed in October 2026, and laws change. Check the official sources above or ask a lawyer in Romania before you rely on an electronic signature for an important document. See also whether electronic signatures are legal.
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