Qualified signature vs. electronic signature

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Qualified and electronic signatures are gaining popularity in business and official dealings. Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are taking advantage of the ability to sign documents remotely, saving time and reducing paper bureaucracy. Find out the differences between the two and how they can be used in everyday business.

What an electronic signature gives you

E-signature saves time. Instead of walking around institutions and standing in lines
you can get things done online. You can use it to conclude some contracts, such as contracts for
work. Of course, the consent of both parties is required here. Thanks to it we produce less
paper documents which saves forests, we burn less gasoline. It is therefore an
environmentally friendly solution.

Electronic signature vs. qualified electronic signature

When dealing with issues in government offices, many of us have encountered the possibility of dealing with
formalities online using a trusted profile. This is based on the fact that on the website of the office
office we choose such an option to certify our identity, then links to the
banks, we choose our bank and log in there. The site of the office gets back from our bank
bank to confirm your personal information.

The problem is that such an e-signature works only in some offices and when dealing with
certain matters. In order for it to work, a given office must have an agreement with a given
bank for identity confirmation. Some banks do not offer such a method at all
verification.

A qualified electronic signature is equivalent to a personal signature. You can
thanks to it handle virtually all matters in contacts with authorities and not only.

Qualified digital signature capabilities

A qualified digital signature is the most advanced version of an electronic signature
electronic signature. It is recognized in the European Union and in a large part of the world.
With it, you can remotely conclude any contract within the European Union. On
Poland with the use of a qualified digital signature you can, among other things:

enter into civil-law contracts,
file tax returns with tax authorities,
Participate in auctions and tenders,
Confirm identity in offices,
file applications with the courts,
Sign and submit declarations in the Payer system,
send electronic invoices,
file financial statements with the National Court Register.

How to get a qualified signature

A certified electronic signature comes with a fee. It is purchased for a specific period of several years
period. It can be obtained in the form of a USB stick with the appropriate software - the
Certum Mini. The second form is the SimplySign phone application. The signature stored on a
USB flash drive is more popular, as this form is usually chosen by companies for their
employees. Such a signature is easier to control, because it can be taken away from an employee
resigning from work habits can be taken away like a company laptop.

To obtain a qualified signature, it is necessary to verify the person it is intended to serve.
There are three methods to choose from to confirm identity:

At a location selected by the client,
At the headquarters of Biznes Spot,
Online.

Online qualified signature

The first two methods are obvious, involving comparing documents with a person. The online method, while the most convenient, requires some effort.

The customer connects with the company selling the signature on Skype or Teams. There he shows his
identity document and face. The person on the other end of the link takes screenshots and compares the
the photo in the document with the holder's face. The customer is then asked to make a
a transfer of one zloty (to be refunded, of course) to the company's account. This further
confirms his identity.

E-signature arguably has a future in an increasingly digital world. As paper
documents will remain the only method of signing.