Electronic Signature in Switzerland

Certifaction is a Swiss eSigning solution for legally valid electronic signatures. Organizations can use Simple (SES), Advanced (AES) and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) for signing processes under ZertES in Switzerland and eIDAS in the EU.

SES, AES and QES under ZertES and eIDAS
Zero Document Knowledge and End-to-End Encryption
Swiss provider with hosting in Switzerland

Mann arbeitet am Laptop in einem modernen Büro in Zürich mit Schweizer Fahne im Hintergrund, daneben ein elektronisch signiertes Dokument

Certifaction follows a Privacy-First approach. Unlike conventional SaaS eSigning solutions, Certifaction cannot access its customers’ confidential documents thanks to local processing and End-to-End Encryption. As a Swiss provider, Certifaction combines legally valid eSigning with data protection, digital sovereignty and a technical architecture specifically designed to protect confidential documents.

Selection criteria

What Should Organizations Look for in an eSigning Solution in Switzerland?

Several criteria matter when choosing an electronic signature solution in Switzerland. These include the required signature standards, usability, the legal framework, data protection, data storage, integration and the flexibility to adapt to the requirements of the specific use case.

ZertES: Swiss legal framework for electronic signatures and other applications of digital certificates Certifaction: Supports all ZertES-compliant signature standards (SES, AES and QES) eIDAS: Relevant for electronic signatures and trust services in the EU Certifaction: Supports all eIDAS-compliant signature standards (SES, AES and QES) Usability: Software is only effective if people can use it easily Certifaction: Intuitive to use, even for first-time users Data security and protection: Signed documents can contain highly confidential information Certifaction: Zero Document Knowledge and End-to-End Encryption Digital sovereignty: Relevant for organizations with digital sovereignty requirements Certifaction: Headquartered in Switzerland, Swiss Made Software Hosting: Relevant for data residency and internal compliance requirements Certifaction: Hosting on ISO 27001-certified servers in Switzerland or on the customer’s own infrastructure (on-premises) Integration: eSigning should integrate seamlessly into existing processes Certifaction: API and white-label options Innovation: Supports a wide range of use cases within a single solution Certifaction: Digital Twin, Partner Portal, EUDI / swiyu, Teamspaces, signature templates and more Agility and flexibility: Ability to adapt the eSigning solution flexibly to customer needs Certifaction: Core team in Switzerland
Criterion	Why it matters	Certifaction
ZertES	Swiss legal framework for electronic signatures and other applications of digital certificates	Supports all ZertES-compliant signature standards (SES, AES and QES)
eIDAS	Relevant for electronic signatures and trust services in the EU	Supports all eIDAS-compliant signature standards (SES, AES and QES)
Usability	Software is only effective if people can use it easily	Intuitive to use, even for first-time users
Data security and protection	Signed documents can contain highly confidential information	Zero Document Knowledge and End-to-End Encryption
Digital sovereignty	Relevant for organizations with digital sovereignty requirements	Headquartered in Switzerland, Swiss Made Software
Hosting	Relevant for data residency and internal compliance requirements	Hosting on ISO 27001-certified servers in Switzerland or on the customer’s own infrastructure (on-premises)
Integration	eSigning should integrate seamlessly into existing processes	API and white-label options
Innovation	Supports a wide range of use cases within a single solution	Digital Twin, Partner Portal, EUDI / swiyu, Teamspaces, signature templates and more
Agility and flexibility	Ability to adapt the eSigning solution flexibly to customer needs	Core team in Switzerland

Signature levels

SES, AES and QES in Switzerland (ZertES)

Not every document requires the same signature level. Which electronic signature is appropriate depends on the specific document, the use case and the applicable legal form requirements.

Simple Electronic Signature (SES)

The Simple Electronic Signature is suitable for many everyday processes where no specific legal form requirements apply.

Advanced Electronic Signature (AES)

The Advanced Electronic Signature meets higher requirements for linking the signature to the signer.

Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)

The Qualified Electronic Signature meets the highest requirements for electronic signatures. Under Swiss law, a Qualified Electronic Signature can replace a handwritten signature, provided the legally prescribed conditions are met.

Certifaction supports SES, AES and QES, enabling organizations to use the appropriate signature level depending on the document, jurisdiction and use case. Learn more about QES with user-friendly identification and the legal validity of electronic signatures.

Legal framework

ZertES and eIDAS: What Is the Difference?

For organizations operating in Switzerland and the European Union, two legal frameworks are particularly relevant.

ZertES

ZertES is the Swiss Federal Act on Electronic Signatures and provides the Swiss legal framework for electronic signatures and other applications of digital certificates.

eIDAS

eIDAS governs electronic identification and trust services within the European Union.

Certifaction supports signing processes under ZertES and eIDAS, making it suitable for organizations that use electronic signatures in both Swiss and European contexts.

Privacy First

Privacy-First eSigning from Switzerland

Electronic signatures often involve confidential documents such as contracts, financial records, medical information or documents from public administration.

That is why Certifaction was built according to a Privacy-First principle.

With Zero Document Knowledge and End-to-End Encryption, the contents of documents being signed remain unreadable for Certifaction. Protecting confidential information is therefore built into the technical architecture.

This is particularly relevant for organizations that not only want to sign electronically in a legally valid way but also have high requirements for data protection, confidentiality and digital sovereignty.

Digital sovereignty

A Swiss Provider and Digital Sovereignty

Digital sovereignty does not depend solely on where data is stored. The provider’s corporate structure, the legal jurisdiction and the technical architecture of a solution also play a role.

Certifaction is a Swiss company and is itself not subject to the US CLOUD Act.

For organizations that place particular value on a Swiss provider structure, data protection and control over their data when handling confidential documents, this can be a relevant selection criterion.

Industries

Electronic Signatures for Regulated and Privacy-Sensitive Industries

Healthcare

Healthcare organizations process particularly sensitive data. Electronic signing processes therefore need to combine legal validity, data security and protection with ease of use.

One example is the E-Prescription Switzerland service, developed on the initiative of FMH and pharmaSuisse together with HIN and designed for more than 30 million e-prescriptions per year.

Doctors sign using their HIN eID. Thanks to Zero Document Knowledge, neither Certifaction nor HIN can access sensitive patient data.

Banks and Financial Service Providers

Banks, insurers and financial service providers also process documents with high requirements for confidentiality and verifiability.

Certifaction supports SES, AES and QES and can be integrated via API into existing digital processes.

Public Sector

Authorities and public institutions need digital processes that combine legal requirements with data protection and digital sovereignty.

Certifaction helps organizations integrate electronic signatures into existing digital processes and use different signature levels depending on the specific use case.

Digital Twin

Connect Digital and Paper with the Digital Twin

Not every business process remains fully digital. Documents are still printed, physically passed on or combined with handwritten signatures.

Certifaction’s Digital Twin links a printed document to its digitally signed original. Via a QR code, the digital original can be accessed and the electronic signature certificate verified.

This enables organizations to connect digital and paper-based document processes.

Integration

How Can Certifaction Be Integrated?

Electronic signatures should integrate seamlessly into existing business processes without creating unnecessary disruptions or additional manual steps.

Certifaction can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems and applications via API. White-label options are also available for our partners and Enterprise customers.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Electronic Signatures in Switzerland

Which eSigning solution is right for organizations in Switzerland?

The right eSigning solution depends on the specific use case. Key selection criteria include ZertES support, the required signature levels, usability, data security and protection, data storage, integration options and digital sovereignty requirements.

Certifaction is a Swiss eSigning solution with SES, AES and QES, Zero Document Knowledge and End-to-End Encryption, designed particularly for organizations with high requirements for data protection and confidentiality.

Is an electronic signature legally valid in Switzerland?

Yes. Electronic signatures can be used in a legally valid way in Switzerland. Which signature level is required and what legal effect it has depend on the specific document and any applicable legal form requirements.

What is ZertES?

ZertES is the Swiss Federal Act on Electronic Signatures. It governs electronic signatures and other applications of digital certificates in Switzerland.

What is a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES)?

The Qualified Electronic Signature is the highest signature level. Under Swiss law, it can replace a handwritten signature, provided the legally prescribed conditions are met.

Does Certifaction support ZertES and eIDAS?

Yes. Certifaction supports all signature standards (SES, AES and QES) under ZertES and eIDAS.

Where is data hosted at Certifaction?

Certifaction offers hosting on ISO 27001-certified servers in Switzerland. Upon request, customers can also host the solution on their own infrastructure on-premises.

Through Zero Document Knowledge and End-to-End Encryption, the contents of signed documents remain unreadable for Certifaction.

What does Zero Document Knowledge mean?

Zero Document Knowledge means that Certifaction cannot access the contents of the documents being signed. Documents are processed locally and encrypted end-to-end before they leave the user’s device, such as a laptop, smartphone or PC.

Is Certifaction an alternative to DocuSign in Switzerland?

Yes. Certifaction is a Swiss alternative for organizations that place particular value on a Privacy-First architecture, Zero Document Knowledge, Swiss Made Software and digital sovereignty in their eSigning solution.

Do you have any further questions?

Your path to the future

Sign Electronically and Legally Validly with Certifaction

Digitalize your signing processes with SES, AES and QES and combine legally valid eSigning with Privacy First, Zero Document Knowledge and End-to-End Encryption.