Updated · By Buğra Sözeri
Is an electronic signature legal in France?
Is an e-signature legal in France?
Yes, for most contracts, under Code civil articles 1366–1367 and eIDAS. Under articles 1366 and 1367 of the Code civil and the eIDAS Regulation, an electronic document and signature have the same evidential force as paper when the signer can be identified and the document's integrity is guaranteed.
Main exceptions: Private deeds relating to family law and succession (article 1175 Code civil); Private deeds relating to personal or real securities (sûretés), subject to limited exceptions (article 1175); Holographic wills, which must be entirely handwritten, dated and signed (article 970).
Our take: France is more relaxed than its reputation. The Code civil asks that the signer be identified and the document's integrity guaranteed, and a simple e-signature can meet that if your evidence is good. The real difference with a qualified signature is the burden of proof: a QES is presumed reliable, a simple one has to be proven. For quotes (devis), service contracts, NDAs and purchase orders, that trade-off is usually fine. eSignSimple gives simple e-signatures with a detailed audit trail. For sûretés, family and succession deeds, notarial acts or holographic wills, we are not the right tool.
Which laws govern electronic signatures in France?
eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183
Directly applicable across the EU. It defines simple, advanced and qualified electronic signatures. Article 25 provides that an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect or admissibility as evidence solely because it is electronic, and that a qualified electronic signature (QES) has the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature.
Code civil, articles 1366 and 1367
Article 1366 gives electronic writing the same probative force as paper, provided the author can be identified and its integrity is guaranteed. Article 1367 says a signature identifies its author and shows consent; an electronic signature must use a reliable identification process, whose reliability is presumed when the conditions set by decree are met.
Décret n° 2017-1416 du 28 septembre 2017
Article 1 of the decree presumes the reliability of an electronic signature process when it is a qualified electronic signature.
Code civil, articles 1174 and 1175
Where writing is required for a contract to be valid, article 1174 allows it to be in electronic form under articles 1366 and 1367. Article 1175 lists exceptions.
How does French law treat e-signatures?
France applies eIDAS directly, alongside the Code civil. A simple or advanced electronic signature is valid, but if it is challenged, the party relying on it must show that the process reliably identified the signer and linked them to the document.
A qualified electronic signature benefits from a presumption of reliability under Décret n° 2017-1416. For other signatures, evidence such as an audit trail with timestamps, IP addresses and a document hash helps establish identification and integrity.
What are the exceptions and special formalities?
Article 1175 excludes certain private deeds from the electronic form rule, including those relating to family law and succession, and those relating to personal or real securities (sûretés), subject to limited exceptions.
Article 1376 requires a unilateral commitment to pay a sum of money to bear the signature of the person committing and the amount written by them in both words and figures. A holographic will must be entirely handwritten, dated and signed by the testator (article 970).
How should businesses in France use e-signatures?
Commercial contracts, NDAs, purchase orders and service agreements are routinely signed electronically. Keep the signed PDF together with its audit trail so you can demonstrate identification and integrity under article 1366.
eSignSimple provides simple electronic signatures with an audit trail (timestamps, IP addresses and a document hash). It is not a qualified trust service provider and does not issue qualified electronic signatures, so use a QES provider where the law requires one.
This page is general information about how electronic signature law works, not legal advice. For a specific high-value or regulated transaction, check with a qualified lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Which documents need more than a simple e-signature in France?
- Private deeds relating to family law and succession (article 1175 Code civil)
- Private deeds relating to personal or real securities (sûretés), subject to limited exceptions (article 1175)
- Holographic wills, which must be entirely handwritten, dated and signed (article 970)
- Deeds that must be executed before a notary or other public officer
Where can I read the official texts?
- Code civil, article 1366 – Légifrance
- Code civil, articles 1174–1177 (contract form) – Légifrance
- Décret n° 2017-1416 du 28 septembre 2017 – Légifrance
- Code civil, article 970 – Légifrance
- Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (eIDAS) – EUR-Lex
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 (eIDAS 2.0) – EUR-Lex
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and details depend on your situation; consult a qualified lawyer in France for specific transactions. eSignSimple provides simple electronic signatures with an audit trail; it does not issue qualified or certificate-based signatures.
Frequently asked questions
Is an electronic signature as valid as a handwritten one in France?
An electronic signature is valid evidence if the signer is identified and the document's integrity is guaranteed (articles 1366–1367). Only a qualified signature benefits from a presumption of reliability.
Do I need a qualified signature in France?
Not for most contracts. A qualified signature makes proof easier because its reliability is presumed, but simple and advanced signatures are valid if you can prove identification and integrity.
Can a will be signed electronically in France?
A holographic will cannot: article 970 requires it to be entirely handwritten, dated and signed by the testator.
Does eSignSimple meet the requirements in France?
eSignSimple's simple signatures and audit trail are designed to help show identification and integrity under articles 1366–1367, but they do not benefit from the presumption of reliability reserved for qualified signatures. They are not suitable for the article 1175 exclusions, notarial deeds or holographic wills.
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