A qualified electronic signature satisfies:

• not only the requirements for an advanced electronic signature, namely:
  • it is uniquely linked to the signatory;
  • it enables the signatory to be identified;
  • it has been created using electronic signature creation data that the signatory can, with a high level of confidence, use under their exclusive control;
    
  • it is linked to the data associated with that signature in such a way that any subsequent modification of the data is detectable;  
• but also meets the following requirements:
  • it is created using a qualified electronic signature creation device; and
  • it relies on a qualified certificate for electronic signatures.

These 2 features ensure that the qualified electronic signature is unique, confidential and secure.

The qualified electronic signature is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.