Electronic signatures in Italy: eIDAS, the CAD and firma digitale explained

Italy has used digital signatures for longer than most European countries. Professionals, companies and public bodies routinely sign with firma digitale, and many businesses communicate by certified email (PEC). Alongside these tools, simple electronic signatures are widely used for everyday agreements — as long as you understand how Italian law weighs them.

Are electronic signatures legal in Italy?#

Yes. Two main sources apply:

• The eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1183, applies directly. An electronic signature can't be denied legal effect or admissibility as evidence just because it is electronic, and a qualified electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten one. See our guide to electronic signatures in the European Union.
• The Digital Administration Code (Codice dell'Amministrazione Digitale, CAD) — Legislative Decree No. 82 of 7 March 2005 — sets out how electronic documents and signatures work under Italian law.

The CAD draws a clear line. Under its article 20, an electronic document meets the written-form requirement and has the evidential effect of a signed private document (article 2702 of the Civil Code) when it carries a digital signature, another qualified electronic signature or an advanced electronic signature, or is created through a process meeting requirements set by AgID (the Agency for Digital Italy) after electronic identification of its author. In all other cases, whether the document satisfies written form and what it is worth as evidence are freely assessed by the court, taking into account its security, integrity and immutability.

Many contracts in Italy need no particular form at all, so a simple electronic signature is commonly used for them. The stronger the evidence of security and integrity, the better its position if it is ever challenged.

Types of electronic signature in Italy#

• Simple electronic signature (firma elettronica semplice) — for example, a typed or drawn signature submitted through a secure link.
• Advanced electronic signature (firma elettronica avanzata, FEA) — uniquely linked to and capable of identifying the signer, with later changes detectable.
• Qualified electronic signature (firma elettronica qualificata, FEQ) — based on a qualified certificate and created with a qualified device.
• Digital signature (firma digitale) — an Italian type of qualified signature based on a qualified certificate and a system of cryptographic keys, very common in professional practice.

Signkoi provides simple electronic signatures with strong evidence. It does not create advanced, qualified or digital signatures.

Documents that often need more than a simple e-signature#

• Real-estate and other acts under article 1350 of the Civil Code. The Civil Code requires written form, on pain of nullity, for acts such as contracts transferring ownership of real estate and leases of real estate for more than nine years. When these are made as electronic documents, the CAD (article 21) generally requires a qualified or digital signature, unless the signature is authenticated.
• Notarial acts. Real-estate transfers are typically drawn up or authenticated by a notary so they can be recorded in the public registers.
• Wills. A holographic will must be entirely handwritten, dated and signed by the testator (article 602 of the Civil Code); the alternative is a public will made before a notary.
• Family law and many corporate acts follow their own formal rules, often involving a notary or a court.
• Dealings with public administrations generally rely on the identification and signature systems accepted by the specific administration.

Collecting stronger evidence with simple e-signatures#

Because Italian courts assess simple signatures freely — looking specifically at security, integrity and immutability — the evidence you keep matters:

• Integrity and immutability. A tamper-evident seal on the signed PDF makes later changes detectable, and a trusted timestamp records when signing took place.
• Identification. For important agreements, require an access code shared through another channel, or an email one-time code.
• Audit trail. Record when the document was sent, opened and signed, with IP address and browser.
• Retention. Keep the signed PDF and certificate of completion together with your records.

How to send a document for signature in Italy with Signkoi#

1. Upload your PDF — a contract, an offer (preventivo) or an order.
2. Add your signers by name and email, and set a signing order if needed.
3. Place the fields — signature, initials, date, text or checkboxes.
4. Add an access code or email one-time code for sensitive documents.
5. Set reminders and an expiry date, then send.

Recipients sign in their browser without creating an account, and the signing pages are available in Italian. The completed PDF is sealed and timestamped, and you receive a certificate of completion with the full audit trail. Anyone holding the PDF can confirm that it is unchanged at signkoi.com/verify. For other countries, see our e-signature legality overview.

FAQ#

Is a simple electronic signature valid in Italy?#

Generally yes, for documents that need no particular form. Under the CAD, its suitability to meet written form and its value as evidence are assessed freely by the court, based on security, integrity and immutability.

What is the difference between firma digitale and a qualified electronic signature?#

Firma digitale is a specific Italian type of qualified electronic signature, based on a qualified certificate and cryptographic keys. In practice, both are treated as qualified signatures.

Do I need firma digitale for business contracts?#

Not usually. Many commercial contracts are form-free, and a simple electronic signature with good evidence is commonly used. A qualified or digital signature is generally needed where the law requires written form on pain of nullity, as for real-estate acts under article 1350 of the Civil Code.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Italian law and its interpretation can change, and the right signing method depends on the document and the circumstances. For an important or regulated document, talk to a qualified lawyer (avvocato) or notary in Italy.