At a time when speed, security and efficiency are essential for any service, the digital signature is rapidly replacing the classic pen across Europe.
From rental contracts to financial agreements, electronic signatures have become an integral part of the modern economy, bringing convenience to citizens and businesses faster and more efficient.
Albania is now on the verge of an important legal step in this direction. The draft law “On Electronic Identification, Trust Services and Digital Wallet” has been submitted for public consultation, marking a new phase towards building the legal and technological infrastructure that will enable the massive and standardized use of digital identity and qualified electronic signatures in the public and private sectors.
Digitalization that changes everyday life
Countries such as Estonia, Bulgaria, Latvia and Poland are today successful examples of the implementation of electronic identity and digital signatures.
In Estonia, for example, over 98% of government services are provided online through electronic identity, while citizens can sign any document – from bank contracts, loan applications, to school registrations – without leaving their homes.
This practice is also increasingly widespread in the private financial sector. Companies such as Evrotrust in Bulgaria, Smart-ID in the Baltic states, and IDnow in Germany have built secure and licensed platforms for the identification and electronic signing of documents, with full legal validity in the EU.
Iute brings the digital signature to Albanian finance
In Albania, Iute is among the first financial institutions to implement the qualified electronic signature through a partnership with Evrotrust, making it possible to apply for a loan without visiting a branch; sign the contract from the phone within seconds, as well as realize a 100% digital process and legally recognized throughout the European Union.
For the client, this means less time spent, less paper and more control over processes. For the environment, it translates into less printing and more sustainability. And for the Albanian market, it is a significant step towards modernizing financial services and building trust in digital solutions.
Security, standard and convenience, the 3 pillars of the digital signature
A qualified digital signature is legally valid just like a handwritten signature in any country of the European Union.
It is based on an electronic certificate issued by a licensed trust service provider and uses advanced encryption technologies to guarantee data security and user identity.
For institutions and businesses, this means faster, more secure processes, but also easier to audit, since everything leaves a trace in the system.
For citizens – easier access to important services, from home or on the move, without having to spend time in traffic, waiting in line, or at the branch.
The draft law that paves the way for the future
The new draft law submitted for public consultation by the National Authority for Cybersecurity (AKSK) aims to fully regulate electronic identification and the use of digital signatures, in accordance with the European eIDAS regulation.
The draft law also creates the basis for building a Digital Wallet for every Albanian citizen. The draft law will standardize trusted service providers, in order to ensure a secure and functional ecosystem.
The adoption and implementation of this law will accelerate digitalization in key sectors such as finance, justice, education and public administration, bringing increased transparency, efficiency and digital inclusion throughout society.
From pen to click – a path of no return
Digital transformation is no longer an option, but a necessity for any economy that aims to be competitive, transparent and sustainable.
The electronic signature is just one of the links, but one of the most important, in this modernization chain. Electronic identification is also an important complement to the digital infrastructure and the hitech future towards which the world is rapidly advancing and where Albania has no other path but to follow.
Our country is entering this stage with high potential and with concrete examples of success such as Iute, the Estonian company, the most advanced European digital state, which has been operating in Albania for years, examples that show that the future is highly functional, secure and operational, with one click.
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