Electronic lease signature in Belgium: is it legal?
Electronic lease signature has been legal in Belgium since 2025. Signature levels, recommended tools, MyRent registration and practical advice.
Legal framework for electronic signatures in Belgium
The European eIDAS regulation (Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services) has been directly applicable in Belgium since 2016. It recognises three levels of electronic signature, all legally valid.
Since 2025, all three Belgian regions have explicitly confirmed that electronic signatures are acceptable for main residence leases. The Brussels ordinance of March 2026 goes even further by recognising electronic notification as a valid method of lease notice.
A qualified electronic signature (Itsme, eID) has exactly the same value as a handwritten signature before the justice of the peace. It cannot be challenged on its form.
The 3 levels of electronic signature
| Level | Examples | Legal value | Recommended for a lease? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | Tick box, email, “I accept” click | Low (challengeable) | No |
| Advanced | DocuSign, Adobe Sign (unique link + audit trail) | Medium | Acceptable |
| Qualified | Itsme, Belgian eID | Equivalent to handwritten | Yes (recommended) |
The qualified signature is the only one that can never be challenged on its form before a court. It is the recommended standard for a rental lease.
The advanced signature (DocuSign, Adobe Sign) is legally valid but could theoretically be challenged. In practice, Belgian courts widely accept it.
A lease signed by a simple tick box or by email offers no guarantee. In the event of a dispute, it will be difficult to prove that the signatory is indeed the person concerned.
Recommended tools in Belgium
| Tool | Level | Cost | MyRent integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itsme | Qualified | Free for the signatory | Via management platform |
| eID + reader | Qualified | ~15 EUR (reader) | Via management platform |
| Connective (SignHere) | Qualified | ~2 EUR/signature | Yes |
| DocuSign | Advanced | 10-25 EUR/month | Not native |
| Adobe Sign | Advanced | 12-30 EUR/month | Not native |
Belgian rental management platforms generally integrate Itsme or Connective for qualified signatures. This is the most seamless solution: signing + registration in a single operation.
Complete procedure: sign and register online
- Draft the lease via a compliant platform or our lease creation tool
- Send the signing link to the tenant (email or SMS)
- The tenant signs via Itsme (30 seconds on smartphone)
- The landlord countersigns via Itsme
- The signed lease is generated in PDF with an integrated signature certificate
- Register on MyRent: upload the signed PDF on MyRent (FPS Finance)
- Registration confirmation received within 48 hours
The entire procedure can be completed in less than 24 hours (compared to 2-4 weeks with the old paper process + registration office). Online registration is detailed in our tutorial.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages:
- Speed: signing in a few minutes, remotely
- Security: unchallengeable qualified signature
- Archiving: signed PDF with timestamping, stored indefinitely
- Ecology: zero paper, zero travel
- 78% of tenants under 35 expect it as a minimum
Limitations:
- The tenant must have Itsme or an eID with reader
- Elderly or less digitally literate people may be deterred
- The property inventory is often still carried out in person (even if the report can be digital)
For landlords, adopting electronic signatures is a competitive advantage: you attract younger and more mobile tenants, reduce delays and simplify rental management. The new tenant expectations confirm this trend.
Frequently asked questions
-
Yes, since 2025. The European eIDAS regulation applies in Belgium. A qualified electronic signature (via Itsme or eID) has the same legal value as a handwritten signature. All three regions recognise this method of signature.
-
Itsme is the most common tool in Belgium (qualified signature). Rental management platforms often integrate Itsme or eID signature. DocuSign and Adobe Sign offer advanced signatures but not qualified ones within the meaning of eIDAS.
-
Yes. MyRent accepts leases in PDF format signed electronically. The process is the same as for a scanned paper lease. Some rental management platforms even allow automatic registration after signing.
Manage all your leases in one tool
Lease generation, MyRent registration, payment tracking, digital inventory. 14-day free trial, no card required.