Qualified Certificate in Public Procurement Law 2026

Definition: A qualified certificate is an electronic certificate issued by an accredited trust service provider, which confirms the identity of the certificate holder and the associated public key and serves as the basis for a qualified electronic signature.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, VDG, SigG, § 53 VgV, BVergG 2018

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What is a qualified certificate?

A qualified certificate is the technical foundation of the qualified electronic signature (QES) and enables, in the electronic procurement procedure, the legally secure signing of bids, contracts and other procurement-relevant documents. It is issued by a qualified trust service provider (QTSP) listed in the EU trusted list. The certificate confirms the identity of the signing person and is thus the digital equivalent of a handwritten signature.

Legal basis

The eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 harmonises the requirements for qualified certificates and qualified electronic signatures across the Union. In Germany, the Trust Services Act (VDG) supplements the regulation at national level. In procurement law, § 53 VgV requires the use of text form or qualified electronic signature for certain documents.

Significance in e-procurement

With the full transition of procurement to electronic communication (e-procurement), the importance of qualified certificates has greatly increased. Procurement documents are made available electronically, bids submitted electronically and contracts signed electronically. Where procurement law or the procurement documents require a qualified electronic signature, a qualified certificate is indispensable.

Requirements for qualified certificates

Pursuant to Annex I of the eIDAS Regulation, a qualified certificate must contain certain minimum information: name of the certificate holder, name of the trust service provider, public key, validity period and a unique serial number. Issuance requires reliable identity verification of the applicant.

FAQ

Do I, as a bidder, need a qualified certificate? If the contracting authority requires a qualified electronic signature for certain documents, yes. For simple declarations in the procurement procedure, text form or an advanced electronic signature is often sufficient.

Where can I obtain a qualified certificate? From accredited trust service providers such as D-Trust, Bundesdruckerei, TeleSec or other providers listed in the EU trusted list.

How long is a qualified certificate valid? Usually one to three years; thereafter it must be renewed.

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Last updated: January 2026 All information without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.