Name
Global FinTech Guide
Country _ Name
Portugal
SectionTitle
Signature requirements
Body
The signature requirements pertain the legal or contractual requirements in order to make a legally effective declaration of intent or a legally binding contract.

Possibility to replace a specific formal requirement of making a binding declaration of intention

In principle, the written form can be replaced with the electronic form (digital document with a qualified electronic signature). However, there are some cases where a notarial deed or a certification is required, which cannot be replaced.

Presence of any specific formal requirements to effectively conclude a loan agreement

In principle, there are no specific formal requirements to effectively conclude a loan agreement. In cases of consumer loan agreements above EUR 25,000,00 (Article 1143 of the Portuguese Civil Code), the agreement must be made with a notarial deed or a certification.

Process of conclusion of a contract by using a qualified electronic signature in practice

In addition to computers or other devices, people commonly use the Citizen Card (Identification Card), which contains a qualified electronic signature certificate, and a smartcard reader to sign documents. As an alternative, it is also possible to use a signature certificate previously installed in the device being used.

A list of relevant qualified trust service providers for Portugal and all other EU-Member states can be found at https://www.gns.gov.pt/trusted-lists.aspx and on the Trusted List Browser of the EU.

Legal consequences to a contract in case of not fulfilling formal requirements

The contract is null and void.
 

Usual practice of signing contractual agreements in the B2B sector

They are still usually signed in written form, although there has been a recent significant increase in the use of electronic signatures.

Usual practice of signing contractual agreements in the B2C sector

If there is a requirement to use the written form (which can be replaced by the electronic form), contractual agreements in the B2C sector are still almost exclusively signed in written form with a handwritten signature. In the e-commerce-sector, however, contractual agreements which do not require the written or electronic form are made electronically by simply agreeing to the terms and conditions with a mouse click.

Authors

Close

Choose country