Digital Signatures

In Belgium’s rapidly digitizing economy, where remote work, e-commerce, and digital government services have become the norm, the need for secure and legally binding electronic document authentication has never been more critical.
Digital Signatures

Enabling Secure and Legally Binding Electronic Transactions in Belgium

Digital signatures have emerged as the cornerstone technology that enables businesses, government agencies, and individuals to execute contracts, approve transactions, and authenticate documents with the same legal validity as traditional handwritten signatures. As a leading IT and cybersecurity company based in Belgium, we understand how digital signatures integrate with European regulations, particularly the eIDAS regulation, to provide Belgian organizations with secure, compliant, and efficient document workflows that meet the highest standards of authenticity and integrity.
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cryptographic

What Are Digital Signatures?

A digital signature is a cryptographic mechanism that authenticates the identity of a document’s signatory and ensures that the content has not been altered since signing. Unlike electronic signatures, which can be as simple as a scanned image of a handwritten signature or a typed name, digital signatures employ advanced mathematical algorithms based on public key cryptography to provide verifiable proof of document authenticity, signatory identity, and content integrity.
Digital signatures function similarly to physical seals or notarizations in the paper world, but with far greater security guarantees. When someone digitally signs a document, the signature is created using their private cryptographic key, which only they possess. Anyone with access to the corresponding public key can verify that the signature is authentic and that the document hasn’t been tampered with, but they cannot forge the signature without access to the private key.

For Belgian enterprises navigating the transition to paperless operations, digital signatures eliminate the delays, costs, and inefficiencies associated with printing, signing, scanning, and mailing physical documents. They enable instant contract execution, accelerate business processes, reduce operational expenses, and provide stronger legal protection than traditional paper-based signatures.

The Technical Foundation

How Digital Signatures Work

Digital signatures rely on asymmetric cryptography, also known as public key cryptography. This system uses mathematically related pairs of keys: a private key kept secret by the document signer and a public key that can be freely distributed. The private key encrypts a unique hash of the document (a mathematical fingerprint), creating the digital signature. Anyone can use the corresponding public key to decrypt this signature and verify both the signer's identity and the document's integrity.

The signing process begins with creating a cryptographic hash of the document using algorithms like SHA-256. This hash is a fixed-length string of characters that uniquely represents the document’s content. Even the smallest change to the document—adding a single character or modifying punctuation—produces a completely different hash value.
The signer’s private key then encrypts this hash, creating the digital signature. The signature is attached to or embedded within the document, along with the signer’s digital certificate, which contains their public key and identity information verified by a trusted Certificate Authority.
Recipients verify the signature by using the signer’s public key to decrypt the digital signature, obtaining the original hash value. They then independently calculate the hash of the received document. If these two hash values match, the verification proves that the document hasn’t been altered and that it was signed by the holder of the corresponding private key. Any modification to the document after signing would produce a different hash, causing verification to fail.
This cryptographic process provides three essential security properties: authentication (confirms who signed the document), integrity (proves the content hasn’t changed), and non-repudiation (prevents the signer from denying they signed it).
Authorities

Digital Certificates and Certificate Authorities

Digital signatures depend on digital certificates issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs). These certificates bind an individual's or organization's identity to their public key, functioning as digital credentials that establish trust in online environments.

Belgian organizations can obtain digital certificates from qualified trust service providers recognized under the eIDAS regulation, such as GlobalSign (headquartered in Belgium), Certipost, and other European qualified trust service providers. These certificates contain information about the certificate holder, the issuing authority, validity period, and cryptographic keys.
For Belgian businesses requiring the highest level of assurance, qualified certificates for electronic signatures (QES) provide legally equivalent status to handwritten signatures across all EU member states. These certificates require in-person or video-based identity verification and are issued on secure signature creation devices, ensuring maximum security and legal validity.
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Types of Electronic Signatures Under eIDAS

The European eIDAS regulation (electronic IDentification, Authentication and trust Services) establishes a comprehensive legal framework for electronic signatures across the EU, including Belgium. Understanding the three types of electronic signatures defined by eIDAS is crucial for Belgian organizations selecting appropriate solutions for different use cases.

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Simple Electronic Signatures (SES)

Simple electronic signatures encompass any electronic data attached to or logically associated with other electronic data and used by the signatory to sign. This broad category includes typed names, scanned signatures, checkbox acceptances, and click-to-accept buttons. While legally valid for many purposes, SES provides minimal security and may face challenges in legal disputes if the signatory contests authenticity.

Belgian companies can use SES for low-risk transactions like internal approvals, non-disclosure agreements with minimal consequences, or routine business correspondence where disputes are unlikely.
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Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES)

Advanced electronic signatures meet stricter requirements defined in eIDAS Article 26. They must be uniquely linked to the signatory, capable of identifying the signatory, created using electronic signature creation data under the signatory's control, and linked to signed data in a way that detects subsequent changes.

AES provides strong security and is suitable for most business transactions. Belgian enterprises use AES for contracts, purchase orders, HR documents, and compliance documentation where security and authenticity matter but the highest legal assurance isn’t required.
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Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)

Qualified electronic signatures represent the gold standard under eIDAS. They are advanced electronic signatures created using qualified signature creation devices and based on qualified certificates issued by qualified trust service providers. QES has the same legal effect as handwritten signatures across all EU member states, meaning Belgian courts must treat them as equivalent to traditional signatures.

Belgian organizations should use QES for high-value contracts, legal documents, financial agreements, regulatory submissions, and any situation where maximum legal certainty is essential. The legal equivalence of QES eliminates disputes about signature validity and provides the strongest possible evidence in litigation.
Benefits

Business Benefits of Digital Signatures for Belgian Organizations

Accelerated Transaction Speed

Digital signatures eliminate delays associated with physical document routing. Contracts that previously required days or weeks for signature collection can be executed in hours or minutes. Belgian companies conducting business with international partners particularly benefit from instant document signing regardless of geographic location.

Cost Reduction

Implementing digital signatures dramatically reduces expenses related to paper, printing, courier services, storage, and document handling. Belgian enterprises report savings of 60-80% on document-related costs after transitioning to digital signature workflows. Organizations handling thousands of contracts annually realize substantial financial benefits.

Enhanced Security

Digital signatures provide superior security compared to handwritten signatures, which can be forged. The cryptographic mechanisms underlying digital signatures make forgery computationally infeasible. Belgian organizations handling sensitive contracts, financial documents, or regulated information gain stronger protection against fraud and unauthorized alterations.

Improved Compliance and Audit Trails

Digital signature platforms maintain comprehensive audit trails recording when documents were sent, viewed, signed, and by whom. This detailed documentation supports regulatory compliance, facilitates audits, and provides evidence for dispute resolution. Belgian companies in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals benefit from automated compliance documentation.

Environmental Sustainability

Transitioning to digital signatures supports Belgian organizations' environmental sustainability goals by eliminating paper consumption. Companies committed to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) objectives can reduce their carbon footprint while improving operational efficiency.

Better Customer Experience

Digital signatures enable Belgian businesses to deliver seamless customer experiences. Clients can review and sign documents from any device without printing, scanning, or visiting offices. This convenience improves customer satisfaction and accelerates sales cycles.

Framework

Legal Framework for Digital Signatures in Belgium

Belgium has fully implemented the eIDAS regulation, which came into effect in July 2016 and directly applies across all EU member states. This regulation superseded previous national legislation and created a harmonized framework for electronic signatures, making signatures created in Belgium legally recognized throughout the European Union.
The Belgian Civil Code recognizes electronic signatures as legally valid for all purposes where handwritten signatures are required, provided they meet appropriate security standards. Belgian courts evaluate electronic signature disputes based on reliability of the signature creation method, context of usage, and any relevant agreements between parties.
For Belgian government interactions, the FedICT (Federal ICT Service) manages digital identity and signature infrastructure. The Belgian eID card contains cryptographic certificates enabling citizens to create qualified electronic signatures for government services, tax filings, and official documents. This national infrastructure demonstrates Belgium’s commitment to digital transformation and secure electronic transactions.
Belgian notaries use qualified electronic signatures for authenticating documents, conducting remote real estate transactions, and executing legal instruments. The Royal Federation of Belgian Notaries has established technical standards and procedures for digital signatures in notarial practice, facilitating secure digital legal services.
Applications

Industry Applications in Belgium

Financial Services and Banking

Belgian banks use digital signatures for loan agreements, account opening documents, investment authorizations, and regulatory compliance forms. Digital signatures accelerate loan processing, enable remote account opening, and reduce operational costs while meeting strict financial regulatory requirements.

Real Estate

Belgian real estate transactions increasingly leverage digital signatures for rental agreements, property sales contracts, and notarial deeds. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated adoption of remote signing for real estate transactions, with Belgian notaries developing secure digital procedures for property transfers.

Legal Services

Belgian law firms implement digital signatures for client agreements, confidentiality agreements, court filings, and contract execution. Digital signatures improve client service, reduce administrative overhead, and enable remote legal consultations and document execution.

Human Resources

Belgian HR departments use digital signatures for employment contracts, policy acknowledgments, performance reviews, and termination documents. Digital signatures streamline onboarding processes, improve employee experience, and create reliable documentation of employment-related agreements.

Healthcare

Belgian healthcare providers implement digital signatures for patient consent forms, medical records, prescription authorizations, and insurance claims. Digital signatures improve patient care workflows while ensuring compliance with medical confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Government and Public Administration

Belgian government agencies deploy digital signatures for citizen services, permit applications, regulatory submissions, and inter-governmental communications. The Belgian eID infrastructure enables citizens to digitally sign tax returns, social security documents, and administrative requests.

Implementing

Implementing Digital Signatures: Best Practices for Belgian Organizations

Select Appropriate Signature Types

Analyze your document types and legal requirements to determine which level of electronic signature is appropriate. Use qualified electronic signatures for high-value contracts and legal documents, advanced electronic signatures for standard business documents, and simple electronic signatures only for low-risk internal processes.

Choose Trusted Service Providers

Select qualified trust service providers recognized under eIDAS. Belgian organizations should verify that their chosen provider appears on the EU Trusted List maintained by member states. GlobalSign, with headquarters in Belgium, offers qualified trust services specifically designed for European regulatory requirements.

Integrate with Existing Systems

Ensure digital signature solutions integrate seamlessly with existing business applications, document management systems, CRM platforms, and ERP systems. Belgian enterprises benefit from automated workflows that incorporate digital signatures into established business processes without requiring manual document handling.

Implement Strong Authentication

Use multi-factor authentication to protect private keys and signature creation devices. Belgian organizations handling sensitive documents should require strong authentication methods before allowing users to digitally sign documents, protecting against unauthorized signature creation.

Establish Clear Policies and Procedures

Develop comprehensive policies governing digital signature usage, including authorized document types, approval workflows, signature authority levels, and audit requirements. Train employees on proper digital signature procedures and legal implications.

Maintain Secure Key Management

Protect private keys using hardware security modules, secure signature creation devices, or qualified cloud-based key management services. Belgian organizations must ensure private keys remain confidential and implement procedures for key revocation if compromise occurs.

Ensure Long-Term Validation

Implement long-term validation and archiving solutions that preserve digital signature validity beyond certificate expiration. Belgian companies must retain digitally signed contracts for years or decades, requiring specialized archiving that maintains signature verifiability over time.

The Future of Digital Signatures in Belgium

Emerging technologies will enhance digital signature capabilities and expand use cases. Blockchain-based signature verification may provide additional transparency and immutability. Artificial intelligence could automate signature validation and fraud detection. Biometric signatures combining behavioral biometrics with digital signatures may offer enhanced security.
The eIDAS 2.0 regulation, currently under development, will expand the digital identity framework and strengthen trust services across the EU. Belgian organizations should monitor these regulatory developments and prepare for enhanced digital identity and signature capabilities.
Mobile signing continues growing in importance. Belgian workers increasingly use smartphones and tablets as primary devices, requiring mobile-optimized signature experiences. Cloud-based signature platforms enable anytime, anywhere signing from any device while maintaining security.
Conclusion

Embracing Digital Transformation with Confidence

Digital signatures represent a foundational technology enabling Belgian organizations to embrace digital transformation while maintaining security, legal compliance, and operational efficiency. The eIDAS regulation provides a robust legal framework that gives digital signatures the same legal status as handwritten signatures, removing barriers to paperless business processes.
As a Belgium-based IT and cybersecurity company, we help organizations implement secure, compliant digital signature solutions tailored to their specific needs. Whether you’re a small business executing occasional contracts or a large enterprise processing thousands of documents daily, digital signatures offer tangible benefits including faster transactions, reduced costs, improved security, and better customer experiences.
Belgian companies that adopt digital signatures position themselves for success in an increasingly digital economy. The technology is mature, legally recognized, and widely available. The question is no longer whether to implement digital signatures, but how quickly you can leverage them to gain competitive advantages in Belgium’s dynamic business environment .