E-Signature & Digital Identity Laws – eIDAS 2.0 Becomes Reality

The implementing and enforcement acts for the eIDAS 2.0 Regulation are expected to come into force by the end of 2025, probably in November. These acts will lay the legal and technical foundations for uniform EU-wide standards for digital identities, electronic signatures, and trust services. This marks a decisive milestone for European digital identity.

For companies, law firms, and corporate legal departments, this is more than a technical update - it represents a strategic turning point. Those who start reviewing their processes, vendors, and systems now will soon be able to conduct cross-border transactions faster, more securely, and with full legal validity.

What Exactly Is eIDAS 2.0 About?

The revised EU Regulation on electronic identification and trust services (eIDAS 2.0) pursues one central goal: the creation of a European Digital Identity (EUDI) that can be used by citizens, businesses, and public authorities alike.

At the heart of this initiative lies the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet) - a secure application that combines electronic signatures, authentication, and attribute verification (e.g. company affiliation, power of attorney).

For businesses, this means that signatures, identity verification, and certification services will become standardized, interoperable, and legally harmonized across the EU. From a legal standpoint, digital contracts and eSignature workflows will, for the first time, become truly comparable across Europe.

What Will Change in Practice?

The eIDAS 2.0 Regulation introduces three key innovations, particularly relevant for corporate legal teams:

1. Trust Services with EU Seal of Approval
   Providers of electronic signatures, seals, or timestamps will have to be certified in accordance with the new eIDAS standards.
2. High-Level Digital Identity Verification
   Identity data must originate from trusted sources, enabling KYC (Know Your Customer) processes to be digitized securely and lawfully.
3. Cross-Border Recognition
   A contract electronically signed in Germany will automatically be legally valid across all EU Member States – a true breakthrough for the European single market.

Impact on Cross-Border Contracting

For multinational corporations, law firms, and B2B platforms, eIDAS 2.0 is a game changer. Cross-border agreements that were previously hindered by differing national eSignature standards will now become uniform, faster, and more efficient. In practice, this translates into:

• Shorter negotiation cycles
• Fewer media disruptions
• Lower fraud risks
• Greater acceptance of digital processes, even among regulators

The result is a solid foundation for “Digital Trust by Design” -  embedding legal trust and compliance directly into digital workflows.

Vendor Readiness Check: Are Your Providers Prepared?

Organizations should immediately assess whether their E-Signature and identity providers are compliant with eIDAS 2.0. Key evaluation criteria include:

• Certification as a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP)
• Interoperability with EUDI Wallets
• Comprehensive documentation of identity and signature processes
• Encryption and archiving standards compliant with EU norms
• Audit and compliance traceability

Those who validate these criteria early will minimize migration risks and proactively manage compliance reporting - gaining a clear competitive advantage.

New Opportunities for Legal Departments and Law Firms

The introduction of eIDAS 2.0 not only creates new obligations but also unlocks significant strategic opportunities.
Through EU-wide standardization of digital identity and qualified electronic signatures, contract processes will become faster, safer, and fully interoperable. For legal teams, this means:

• Enhanced efficiency and transparency
• Improved auditability
• Simplified cross-border transactions

Moreover, new advisory fields are emerging around trust services, identity management, and compliance-by-design.
Law firms and legal departments positioning themselves now as trusted advisors for Digital Identity & E-Signature Compliance will strengthen their competitiveness and become leaders in digital legal innovation.

Signing with Knowliah

With Knowliah, electronic signatures become a seamless part of your digital contract management. Select the desired document or contract directly in the platform and start the signature process with your preferred provider (e.g., DocuSign, Adobe Sign, or Connective). The document is automatically sent by email with a secure link to the designated signatories. They can use this link to open the document, add their electronic signature, and conveniently fill out all the required fields or approvals digitally. Once all parties have signed, the completed document is automatically returned to Knowliah, where it is archived in the corresponding contract file and is searchable and ready for review.

In this way, Knowliah combines legal certainty, efficiency, and compliance-by-design. For faster deals and digital contract management that builds trust.

Conclusion: Digital Trust Becomes the New Legal Standard

eIDAS 2.0 marks the beginning of a new era of European legal certainty in the digital realm. For law firms and in-house counsel, now is the ideal time to strategically connect digital identity, signature processes, and compliance structures.
Those who act early will not only create legal security, but also build trust - the new currency of law in a digitally connected economy.