# SmartDocs: Electronic signatures from Germany

> The e-signature platform from Germany: SES, AES and QES on one platform, GDPR compliant, hosted in German data centers. Start for free.

Source: https://smartdocs.de/en/

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SmartDocs is the e-signature platform from Germany. It covers all three eIDAS signature levels (simple, advanced and qualified electronic signatures), is GDPR compliant and is hosted exclusively in German data centers. Getting started is permanently free.

## How a signature request works

1. Upload a document or open a template, then place signature and text fields by drag and drop.
2. Set the signers and the signing order, and choose the signature level for each request: SES, AES or QES.
3. Everyone signs in the browser, with no account and no app. SmartDocs seals the result with an audit trail and a completion certificate.

## Three signature levels on one platform

eIDAS defines three levels of electronic signature. SmartDocs supports all of them: the simple signature (SES) for everyday business, the advanced signature (AES) with an SMS code for sensitive contracts, and the qualified signature (QES) for the statutory written form under § 126a BGB (German Civil Code). Details on the [Signature levels](/en/signature-levels/) page.

## Who it is for

Built for everyday business in Germany: law firms and tax advisors, [property management companies](/en/industries/property-management/), [real estate agents](/en/industries/real-estate-agents/), HR and people teams, [car dealerships](/en/industries/car-dealerships/), [hotels and event venues](/en/industries/hotels/), medical practices and branch offices, agencies, service providers and [trade businesses](/en/industries/trades/). Wherever contracts are signed regularly, SmartDocs replaces the printer. SmartDocs scales from the solo freelancer (see [For freelancers](/en/freelancers/)) to companies with several departments and locations (see [For mid-sized businesses](/en/mid-sized-businesses/)).

## Security and data protection

Hosted in Nuremberg, encryption throughout (TLS in transit, AES-256 at rest) and a cryptographic hash chain that rules out tampering after the fact. More under [Security](/en/security/) and [Legal validity](/en/legal-validity/).

## Pricing

Free for €0 (5 signature requests per month), Pro for €25 and Enterprise for €40 per seat per month. QES on request. Full details under [Pricing](/en/pricing/).