Qualified signature vs. limits - how many times can you sign documents?

Does a qualified signature „wear out” after a certain number of uses? We explain why both Certum Mini and SimplySign work without a limit and what can really limit document signing.
Qualified signature vs. limits - how many times can you sign documents?
4-minute read Updated: August 18, 2026

Is there a limit to the number of signatures on a Certum Mini card or in a SimplySign?

On the podpisano.pl hotline, we often hear the question:

„Does my e-signature card have any signature limit?

What if I sign hundreds of documents a month - will the signature stop working at some point?”


Reassurance: there is no limit to the number of qualified signatures, nor in the solution Certum Mini, nor in the mobile SimplySign.

How does a qualified signature work?

A qualified signature (QES) is based on a cryptographic key pair and a qualified certificate. It is the certificate that is issued for a specific period of time - usually for 1 year, 2 years or 3 years.
So the validity of the signature does not depend on how many times you use it, but on whether the certificate is still valid and whether the credentials (PIN, PUK, token) work properly.

Certum Mini - crypto card without signature limit

Certum Mini It is a cryptographic card with a USB reader.

  • There is no limit to the number of signatures - you can sign one document a month or a thousand a day as long as you have a valid certificate.
  • The only technical limitation is the time it takes to sign - each signature requires using a card and entering a PIN.
  • Expiration of the certificate - only this is the „limit” of the use of a qualified signature, not the number of signatures. Therefore, consider renewing your electronic signature before it expires.  

SimplySign - cloud signature, also unlimited

SimplySign It operates using a server-based cryptographic device and a mobile app.

  • Also, there is no limit on the number of signatures.
  • You can sign as many documents as you want in a day - the system does not introduce any blocking here.
  • Authorization is done through the mobile app (PIN or biometrics + generated tokens), but the use itself does not come with quantitative restrictions.
  • As in Certum Mini: the expiration of the certificate - is the „limit” of the use of a qualified signature, not the number of signatures. It is worth considering renewing an electronic signature before it expires.  

Time stamp limit - the only practical limitation

While the number of signatures itself is not limited, another aspect is worth keeping in mind: each qualified certificate has a pool of 5,000 free time stamps per month.

  • If you sign documents with a time stamp (which we always recommend), in practice you can do it 5,000 times a month within a single card/certificate.
  • After exceeding this limit, you can still add time stamps, but this will incur additional costs according to the price list of the service provider.

Why is this important?

Timestamp plays a key role in trust services:

  • confirms the exact date and time of signing the document,
  • protects the document from undermine Its validity in the future,
  • protects against the situation in which the signature is already verified after the expiration of the certificate.

For this reason it's always worth joining timestamp for electronic signature - is a guarantee the full evidentiary force of the document In court and in dealing with the administration.

Where do the limitations appear?

To summarize:

A qualified signature is a tool that is supposed to work flexibly and without barriers - and the timestamp makes it complete.

Qualified signatures SimplySign and Certum Mini

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact us

+48 22 417 05 55

We'll answer your questions, find a time that works for you, and match you with an advisor at one of our locations throughout Poland.

You can also write an email from us [email protected]. 

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