Understanding Qualified Trust Service Providers (QTSPs)

What is a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP)?

A Qualified Trust Service Provider, or QTSP, is an entity that has been granted qualified status under the eIDAS Regulation, meaning it meets strict security and reliability requirements for providing trust services such as electronic signatures, seals, qualified timestamps, and authentication services. These trust providers play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and authenticity of digital transactions within the European Union.

Under eIDAS 2.0, a QTSP is a type of Trust Service Provider (TSP) that has undergone a rigorous assessment process and is officially recognized by a national supervisory body. This designation grants them the authority to provide qualified trust services, which carry a higher level of legal certainty and are valid across all EU member states.

Key difference between TSPs and QTSPs

The key distinction between QTSPs and regular TSPs lies in their level of certification and legal recognition. While both offer trust services, only QTSPs meet the stringent requirements outlined in the eIDAS regulation and benefit from a higher degree of legal assurance. For example, an electronic signature created using a qualified trust service is considered legally equivalent to a handwritten signature in the EU.

Knowing the legal requirements

The legal framework governing QTSPs is established by Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, known as eIDAS the Regulation, which sets uniform standards for electronic identification and trust services across the EU. The legal requirements and obligations bearing on qualified trust service providers are defined in Article 19, 20, 21, and 24 of the regulation.

The Critical Role of QTSPs in the Digital Ecosystem

QTSPs play a critical role in the digital ecosystem by ensuring the security, authenticity, and integrity of electronic transactions. As organizations and individuals increasingly rely on digital services, QTSPs provide the essential trust framework that enables safe and legally recognized interactions online. Their services help prevent fraud, protect sensitive data, and enhance confidence in digital communications.

Safeguarding trust in digital transactions

A key function of QTSPs is safeguarding trust in digital transactions. By offering qualified trust services, they ensure that electronic signatures, seals, qualified timestamps, and authentication mechanisms are secure and tamper-proof. These services enable businesses, governments, and individuals to conduct transactions with assurance, knowing that their digital interactions are legally valid and protected against fraud or alteration.  

Types of qualified trust services

QTSPs provide various types of qualified trust services, including qualified electronic signatures, electronic seals, electronic timestamps, website authentication certificates, and electronic registered delivery services. Each of these services meets strict security and compliance standards, ensuring their reliability and legal recognition across the European Union.

Legal validity and cross-border recognition

One of the most significant advantages of QTSPs is the legal validity and cross-border recognition of their services. Under the eIDAS Regulation, trust services provided by QTSPs are legally equivalent across all EU member states, eliminating barriers to digital transactions between countries. This harmonization fosters a seamless and secure digital market, allowing businesses and individuals to operate efficiently and with confidence across borders.

Qualified Trust Services Explained

Qualified Trust Services provide essential security and legal assurance for digital transactions, ensuring the authenticity, integrity, and validity of electronic communications. These services, regulated under the eIDAS framework, enable businesses, individuals, and governments to conduct secure and legally recognized digital interactions.

Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES)

One of the most important trust services is Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES). These signatures are legally equivalent to handwritten signatures within the EU, providing the highest level of assurance for digital agreements. To achieve this status, QES must meet strict technical requirements, including the use of secure signature creation devices and certificates issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP). Their implementation ensures strong authentication, data integrity, and non-repudiation, making them widely used in legal, financial, and governmental transactions.

Qualified Electronic Seals (QESeal)

Qualified Electronic Seals (QESeals) serve a similar purpose as QESs, but are designed for organizations and legal entities rather than individuals. These seals authenticate the origin and integrity of documents, ensuring they have not been altered after being issued by a company or institution. Their use cases include securing invoices, contracts, and official documents, helping businesses maintain trust in their digital communications while streamlining administrative processes.

Qualified Timestamping Services (QTS)

Qualified Timestamping Services (QTSs) provide verifiable chronological records that establish when a digital document or transaction occurred. By generating an immutable timestamp linked to a specific piece of data, these services are widely used for document validation, intellectual property protection, and regulatory compliance. They ensure that digital records remain tamper-proof and legally enforceable over time.

Qualified Electronic Registered Delivery Services (QERDS)

Qualified Electronic Registered Delivery Services (QERDSs) ensure the secure exchange of electronic data while maintaining a complete chain of custody. These services provide accountability and non-repudiation features, ensuring that messages and documents sent electronically can be traced, verified, and legally recognized. QERDS are commonly used in legal and business communications, where proof of delivery and content integrity are critical for dispute resolution and compliance.

Becoming a Qualified Trust Service Provider

Understanding Legal and Regulatory Requirements

Becoming a QTSP requires a thorough understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements set forth by the eIDAS Regulation. Compliance with the eIDAS framework is essential, as it establishes uniform rules for trust services across the European Union. Additionally, each EU member state may have specific national requirements that providers must meet, making it crucial for aspiring QTSPs to familiarize themselves with both EU-wide and local regulations.

Step-by-Step Process to QTSP Status

1. Comprehensive compliance assessment: Conduct a thorough review of your organization’s processes, procedures, and technical infrastructure to ensure alignment with eIDAS requirements. This may involve implementing robust security measures, establishing audit trails, and adopting recognized cryptographic standards.

2. Application for accreditation: Submit an application to the relevant national supervisory authority or accreditation body responsible for overseeing trust service providers. Provide detailed documentation demonstrating compliance with eIDAS requirements, including security policies, risk management procedures, and evidence of technical capabilities.

3. Undergo audits and assessments: Prepare for audits and assessments conducted by the supervisory authority to verify compliance with eIDAS standards. This may include on-site inspections, technical evaluations, and reviews of organizational controls.

4. Continuous compliance monitoring: Once accredited as a QTSP, maintain ongoing compliance with eIDAS requirements through regular audits, security updates, and continuous improvement initiatives. This ensures that trust services remain reliable, secure, and legally valid over time.

Technical Requirements for QTSPs

The technical requirements for becoming a Qualified Trust Service Provider are strict and designed to ensure the security, reliability, and integrity of trust services. They include:

• Cryptographic standards: QTSPs must use state-of-the-art cryptographic methods to ensure the confidentiality and authenticity of electronic signatures, seals, and other trust services. The cryptographic algorithms used must comply with EU-approved standards and be resistant to known vulnerabilities.

• Secure key management: A critical aspect of QTSP operations is the secure generation, storage, and management of cryptographic keys. QTSPs must use Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) or similarly secure environments to protect private keys from unauthorized access or compromise. At Ubiqu, we have developed a patented Remote Secure Element that enables users to securely access their devices from a data center with just a PIN code. This eliminates the need for additional hardware, ensuring high user adoption and effectively eliminating identity fraud.

• System architecture requirements: QTSPs must design their IT infrastructure to be resilient, tamper-proof, and capable of withstanding cyber threats. This includes secure data storage, access controls, and network security measures to prevent breaches or data manipulation.

• Compliance with standards and regulations: QTSPs must follow strict guidelines set by recognized European and international standards organizations, such as:
  • ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute): Defines security requirements for trust service providers and electronic signatures.  
  • ENISA (European Union Agency for Cybersecurity): Provides cybersecurity guidelines and best practices for trust services.  
  • CEN (European Committee for Standardization): Establishes technical standards for electronic signatures and other trust services.  

• Audit and certification requirements: QTSPs must undergo regular security audits and assessments by designated national supervisory bodies. Compliance with eIDAS and relevant standards is continuously monitored to ensure that trust services remain secure and legally recognized across the EU.

By meeting these technical requirements, QTSPs ensure that their trust services are secure, reliable, and legally valid, enabling them to support digital transactions across the European Union.

Becoming QTSP is a strategic decision that requires balancing control, investment, and compliance complexity. Organizations have three main options: to outsource QTSP activities, to become an independent QTSP, or to partner with Ubiqu.

Choosing the right path depends on your organization’s priorities, resources, and long-term strategy. For organizations seeking full control, the traditional QTSP route is a good option, but requires significant time and investment. Outsourcing provides a quick solution but limits brand control and flexibility. Ubiqu presents the fastest and most cost-efficient approach, making QTSP status achievable in months without sacrificing ownership or compliance.

The Future of QTSPs: eIDAS 2.0 and beyond

eIDAS 2.0 has opened up more opportunities for QTSPs, by expanding the scope of trust services and strengthening digital identity frameworks across the European Union. One of the key changes in the second version of the eIDAS Regulation is the introduction of new qualified trust services, such as electronic archiving and electronic attestation of attributes, which will provide additional layers of security and reliability for digital transactions. These services will enhance trust in online interactions, making digital processes more seamless and legally robust.  

A major development in eIDAS 2.0 is the integration of QTSPs with the European Digital Identity Wallet (EDIW). This wallet will allow EU citizens and businesses to store and use their digital identity credentials securely across all member states. QTSPs will play a crucial role in issuing and verifying these credentials, ensuring their authenticity and legal recognition. By facilitating cross-border interoperability, the EDIW aims to simplify online interactions with governments, businesses, and financial institutions.

Beyond regulatory updates, QTSPs are poised to benefit from emerging trends and new opportunities in the digital trust ecosystem. Advancements in blockchain, decentralized identity solutions, and artificial intelligence are expected to reshape how trust services are delivered and authenticated. Additionally, as cybersecurity threats grow, there will be an increasing demand for highly secure digital trust solutions. QTSPs that innovate and adapt to these changes will play a key role in shaping the future of secure digital transactions in the EU and beyond.

How to Choose a Qualified Trust Service Provider

Choosing the right QTSP is essential for ensuring secure, legally recognized digital transactions. Several key factors should be considered when selecting a provider, including compliance with the eIDAS Regulation, security measures, reliability, and the range of trust services offered. Organizations and individuals must ensure that the QTSP meets their specific needs, whether for electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, or other trust services.  

Evaluating service offerings

A crucial step in the selection process is evaluating the service offerings of different QTSPs. Some providers specialize in certain trust services, such as qualified electronic signatures, while others offer a broader range of solutions, including identity verification and timestamping. It is important to assess factors such as ease of integration, user experience, and technical support to ensure seamless adoption within an organization’s digital infrastructure.

Verifying qualified status through trusted lists

To confirm the legitimacy of a QTSP, it is essential to verify their qualified status through trusted lists maintained by EU supervisory bodies. The European Union Trusted List, published by the European Commission, provides an official registry of all accredited QTSPs in each member state. Checking this list ensures that the provider is officially recognized and authorized to deliver qualified trust services under eIDAS compliance, guaranteeing the highest level of legal assurance and security.

Conclusion: The Value of Qualified Trust in Digital Transformation

Qualified Trust Service Providers play a fundamental role in securing digital interactions, ensuring legal validity, and fostering trust in an increasingly digital world. By providing services such as qualified electronic signatures, seals, timestamps, and registered delivery, QTSPs enable businesses, governments, and individuals to conduct transactions securely and efficiently.

Their compliance with eIDAS regulations guarantees a high level of security and legal recognition across the European Union, making them essential for organizations seeking to digitize operations while maintaining compliance with regulatory frameworks.

For organizations looking to leverage qualified trust services, selecting the right QTSP involves assessing security measures, service offerings, and compliance with EU regulations. Likewise, entities considering becoming a QTSP must navigate complex regulatory, technical, and accreditation requirements to achieve qualified status.

As eIDAS 2.0 introduces new trust services and integrates with the European Digital Identity Wallet, the landscape of digital trust will continue to evolve, creating new opportunities for innovation and growth. By adopting qualified trust solutions, organizations can enhance security, reduce administrative burdens, and position themselves for success in an increasingly digital economy.