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Trusted profile vs. qualified signature - consider the change

9-minute read Updated: August 18, 2026

Trusted profile vs. qualified electronic signature - what makes them different?

Trusted profile It is a service provided by the Ministry of Digital Affairs that enables the verification of the identity of individuals using electronic public services. It is free, available to every Polish citizen, and uses a basic-level authentication method.

A qualified electronic signature, on the other hand, is a paid service that enables a higher level of authentication. Its advantage is the ability to confirm the identity and compatibility of data from different sources, which guarantees a higher degree of security. The weight of a qualified signature is equivalent to a handwritten signature and has evidentiary value in court.

Trusted Profile ePUAP

Trusted Profile ePUAP, also known simply as the Trusted Profile (PZ), is a service that enables Polish citizens to verify their identity in a digital environment, allowing them to use electronic public services. Profil Zaufany is part of the ePUAP platform (the Electronic Public Administration Services Platform), which serves as the official channel of communication between citizens and the public administration in Poland.

Here is some key information about the Trusted Profile:

  1. Access to public services: The Trusted Profile allows you to securely log in to e-government systems and use online services, such as submitting applications, forms, tax returns, checking the status of documents, booking appointments with authorities, etc.
  2. Security: The Trusted Profile provides a secure way to authenticate a user, using, among other things, proof of identity through electronic banking, a personal visit to a confirmation point, or through an electronic signature.
  3. Free: The creation and use of the Trusted Profile is free for users.
  4. Ease of use: After setting up a Trusted Profile, users can easily and quickly use many public services online without having to leave home.
  5. Validity: The Trusted Profile is valid for 3 years from the date of activation and can be renewed.
  6. A wide range of services: The Trusted Profile allows access to a wide range of public services, including systems such as CEIDG (Central Register and Information on Economic Activity), ZUS (Social Insurance Institution), KRUS (Agricultural Social Insurance Fund), as well as e-services offered by city and municipal offices and many other institutions.
  7. Signing documents: The Trusted Profile also allows electronic signing of documents, which is accepted by offices as a form of “remote” signature.

The Trusted Profile is often the first step for many Poles to use e-government and is an alternative to a qualified electronic signature in dealing with public administration, although it does not fully replace it in the context of all possible legal and business applications.

Qualified electronic signature

Qualified electronic signature is a secure, fast and convenient tool for confirming the identity and authenticity of digital documents. Due to its high level of security, it is widely used for authentication and authorization, as well as storage of digital data.

Key features of a qualified electronic signature:

  • Legal equivalence with handwritten signature: A qualified electronic signature has the same legal force as a traditional handwritten signature, which means that documents signed in this way are legally binding throughout the European Union.
  • High level of security: Qualified electronic signatures use secure Qualified Signature Creation Devices (QSCDs) and certificates issued by Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs), which provides a high level of security and protection against forgery.
  • Integrity of the document: The signature confirms that the document has not been altered after it was signed, which is key to maintaining the credibility and authenticity of the document.
  • Authenticity of authorship: An electronic signature uniquely identifies the person who signed the document, which provides confidence in the identity of the signer.
  • International acceptance: Qualified electronic signatures are widely accepted in international transactions, especially within EU countries, making it easier to do business internationally.
  • Time and cost savings: Processes that require signatures can be done electronically, eliminating the need for physical transfer of documents and allowing faster closing of transactions.
  • Reducing risk: The use of qualified electronic signatures reduces the risk of fraud and errors associated with traditional methods of signing documents.
  • Ease of storage: Documents signed with a qualified electronic signature are easy to store and archive electronically, reducing the need for physical storage of papers and the associated costs.
  • Ease of verification: Qualified electronic signatures can be easily verified for validity, allowing documents to be authenticated quickly and efficiently.
  • Versatility of application: Qualified electronic signatures can be used in many different contexts, including government, banking, insurance, health and many other sectors.

A qualified electronic signature is therefore a powerful tool that enables secure and efficient business in the digital environment, while ensuring regulatory compliance and building trust between the parties to a transaction.

Trusted profile vs. qualified electronic signature - what makes them different?

Trusted Profile (PZ) and Qualified Electronic Signature (KPE) are two different tools for verifying the identity of users and authorizing documents in a digital environment. Both are used in Poland and have their specific features and applications. Here are the main differences between them:

  1. Legal status:
    • Trusted Profile is a service that allows confirming the user's identity when dealing with public administration and electronically signing documents in a way that is accepted by Polish offices. It is primarily recognized in Poland.
    • Qualified electronic signature complies with the regulation eIDAS and has the same legal force as a handwritten signature throughout the European Union. This is an international solution.
  2. Security and technology:
    • Trusted Profile relies on security features such as login and password, as well as one-time access codes sent by SMS or generated by the app.
    • Qualified electronic signature uses secure signature creation devices (QSCDs) and certificates issued by qualified trust service providers (QTSPs), which provides a higher level of security.
  3. Cost:
    • Trusted Profile is available free of charge to citizens and residents of Poland.
    • Qualified electronic signature is chargeable, and its price depends on the trust provider and the scope of services.
  4. Application:
    • Trusted Profile is primarily used in dealing with the public administration in Poland, such as for logging in to the ePUAP platform, filing PITs online, booking appointments at offices, etc.
    • Qualified electronic signature has broader applications, including business, international trade, banking, and dealing with government.
  5. Acceptance:
    • Trusted Profile is mainly accepted by Polish institutions and has limited acceptance outside the country.
    • Qualified electronic signature is accepted throughout the European Union and often in other countries as well, making it more versatile internationally.
  6. Sustainability and renewability:
    • Trusted Profile is usually valid for a certain period of time (currently 3 years) and must be renewed.
    • Qualified electronic signature usually has a specific validity period (e.g. 1-3 years) depending on the supplier's policy, after which it also requires renewal.

In summary, the Trusted Profile is a simpler and free tool for basic electronic authorization, mainly in the context of public services in Poland, while the qualified electronic signature is a much more advanced and secure tool that provides a higher level of security and is widely accepted in legal, business and international transactions.

What are the advantages of a qualified electronic signature?

A qualified electronic signature offers a number of advantages that make it an attractive solution for both individuals and businesses. Here are some of the key benefits:

  1. Legal power: A qualified electronic signature is considered equivalent to a handwritten signature and has full legal force in European Union countries, allowing it to be used in a wide range of official documents and transactions.
  2. Security: By using advanced cryptographic technologies and certificates issued by trusted certification centers, a qualified electronic signature provides a high level of security. It guarantees that documents have not been altered after they have been signed and that the signer's identity is verifiable.
  3. Data integrity: An electronic signature protects the integrity of a document by ensuring that its contents have not been altered since it was signed.
  4. Authentication: A qualified electronic signature uniquely identifies the person signing the document, which is crucial for legal and business processes.
  5. International acceptance: Qualified electronic signatures are widely accepted in international transactions, making it easier to do business globally.
  6. Time and cost savings: Processes that would traditionally require physical signatures and document transmission can be completed electronically in less time, resulting in savings.
  7. Reducing risk: Electronic means of authentication reduce the risk of fraud and errors associated with traditional methods of signing documents.
  8. Ease of storage: Electronic documents signed with a qualified electronic signature are easier to archive and manage than their paper counterparts.
  9. Verifiability: Qualified electronic signatures can be easily verified for validity, allowing documents to be authenticated quickly and efficiently.
  10. Versatility: Qualified electronic signatures can be used in a variety of sectors and industries, from government, finance and banking to health and education.
  11. Environmental friendliness: Reducing the need to print documents contributes to environmental protection by reducing paper consumption and emissions associated with document transportation.
 

In summary, a qualified electronic signature is an investment in the future that enables you to operate safely, efficiently and legally in a digital environment. If you care about the reliability, security and international recognition of your documents, this is a solution worth considering. It not only provides convenience, but also opens the door to new opportunities in the digital age, where borders are becoming less visible and trust and security are at a premium.

Choose the type of qualified signature that suits you best:

Qualified signatures SimplySign and Certum Mini

SimplySign podpisano

SimplySign

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from 299,00 PLN
SimplySign It is an innovative, mobile electronic signature, which eliminates the need for physical cards and readers. With compatibility with systems Android, iOS, Windows and Mac OS, you can sign documents from anywhere and at any time. The installation and activation process is simple and quick, and the it can take as little as 30 minutes to obtain the certificate With online verification. Sign with full legal power, increasing the efficiency and security of your company's enterprise. Invest in SimplySign today And take your business to the next level of digital mobility!
Certum Mini - qualified electronic signature

Certum Mini

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from 282,00 PLN
Certum Mini that equipped with a reader and a cryptographic card, Qualified signature, compliant with eIDAS certification, Certum Mini is compatible with a wide range of business software and operating systems MacOS, Windows and Linux. The package includes 5000 time stamps per month, which further guarantees the authenticity and integrity of the documents. It provides the highest level of security offering full legal power and reliability. When you invest in Certum Mini, you gain security, convenience and time savings.
SimplySign renewal podpisano.pl

SimplySign renewal

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from 149,00 PLN
SimplySign digital signature renewal is a key process that ensures the continued validity and full legal force of your digital signature. With simple and quick renewal process, which can be carried out online, you can extend the validity of your qualified electronic signature by 1, 2 or 3 years. The renewal process is tailored to your needs and guarantees to save you time and resources, eliminating the need to go through the paid identity confirmation procedure again.

Certum Mini renewal

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from 149,00 PLN
Once every one, two or three years, depending on how long your Certum Mini qualified signature was previously issued for, it is necessary to renew it. If you don't do it in time, your signature will stop working. In this case it will be necessary not only to buy a new certificate, but also to go through the whole paid procedure of confirming identity. If there is some time left before the deadline, indicate that you want the renewal period to start when the previous purchase expires.
Certum Mini Qualified Stamp Podpisano

Certum Mini qualified electronic seal

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from 1032,00 PLN
The Certum Mini qualified electronic seal is a modern solution for authentication of digital documents, dedicated to both companies and institutions. Thanks to compliance with the eIDAS regulation, the seal provides full legal force, authenticity and integrity of documents, so it is Ideal for signing contracts, invoices and official correspondence. It is available in the form of Cryptographic card with USB-A or USB-C reader, which provides flexibility and convenience of use. When you invest in Certum Mini, you gain security and save time.
SimplySign qualified seal podpisano

SimplySign qualified electronic seal

Info
from 899,00 PLN
Select SimplySign Qualified Electronic Seal to. automate business processes and ensure the security and authenticity of your electronic documents. Thanks to its compliance with eIDAS and Polish law, SimplySign offers the full legal force and modern cloud solutions, ideal for companies of all sizes, enabling the signing of contracts, invoices and other company documents. No card readers required and is compatible with a wide range of office programs and computer operating systems.
Switching from Certum Mini to SimplySign - podpisano.pl

Switching from Certum Mini to SimplySign

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from 199,00 PLN
Switching from Certum Mini to SimplySign allows for greater efficiency and convenience in managing signatures. SimplySign eliminates the need for physical cards and readers, allowing you to sign documents from anywhere. The process of swapping signatures is simple and follows the same process as SimplySign signature renewal, ensuring a quick and seamless migration to the new system.
Transitioning from the Sapphire sub-route to SimplySign - podpisano.pl

Replace your old qualified signature with SimplySign

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from 199,00 PLN
Whatever qualified signature provider you currently use, you can easily replace it with SimplySign. Switching to SimplySign increases mobility, convenience and efficiency In managing electronic signatures. SimplySign offers a modern approach to document signing, eliminating the need for physical cards and readers. The signature swap process is simple and follows the same process as SimplySign signature renewal, ensuring a quick and seamless transition.  

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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