What is a qualified electronic timestamp under the eIDAS Regulation?

A qualified electronic timestamp under eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 cryptographically binds data to a specific point in time. Unlike simple timestamps, it enjoys a legal presumption of the accuracy of the date and time it indicates and the integrity of the data to which the date and time are bound (Art. 41(2) eIDAS). It must be issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) listed on the EU Trusted List.

What is the difference between a qualified timestamp and a blockchain timestamp?

A blockchain timestamp (e.g. OpenTimestamps/Bitcoin) cryptographically proves that data existed at a given time, but carries no legal presumption. An eIDAS qualified timestamp additionally enjoys a legal presumption under Art. 41(2): courts must presume the accuracy of the date and the integrity of the data, unless proven otherwise. ProofSnap offers both — blockchain (from Professional) and eIDAS qualified (from Enterprise).

Is a qualified timestamp issued in Slovakia recognised across the EU?

Yes. Under Art. 41(1) of the eIDAS Regulation, a qualified electronic timestamp issued in one member state cannot be refused as evidence in another member state. Disig a.s. is a Qualified Trust Service Provider listed on the EU Trusted List, supervised by the Slovak National Security Authority (Národný bezpečnostný úrad, NBÚ). Its qualified timestamp has the same legal value in all 27 EU member states as a timestamp issued by any other European QTSP.

Which QTSP issues the timestamps?

ProofSnap uses Disig a.s. as its Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP). Disig is listed on the EU Trusted List, supervised by the Slovak National Security Authority (NBÚ) and meets the requirements of ETSI EN 319 421 and ETSI EN 319 422 standards. Disig qualified timestamps are recognised in all 27 EU member states.

How many eIDAS qualified timestamps are included in my subscription?

Enterprise plan (€28.99/month): 10 eIDAS qualified timestamps per month + 1 during the trial period. Company plan (€18.99/licence/month): 5 eIDAS qualified timestamps per user per month. Essential and Professional plans do not include eIDAS timestamps but include blockchain timestamps (OpenTimestamps). You can upgrade at any time.

What is the difference between eIDAS and eIDAS 2.0?

eIDAS 2.0 (Regulation 2024/1183) expands the scope of the original eIDAS Regulation (910/2014). Qualified timestamps are fully maintained and strengthened. New additions include: European Digital Identity Wallets, electronic ledgers as a trust service and enhanced requirements for QTSPs. ProofSnap eIDAS qualified timestamps already meet the requirements of both regulations.

Can I use eIDAS qualified timestamps in EU courts?

Yes. Qualified electronic timestamps enjoy a legal presumption under Art. 41(2) of the eIDAS Regulation. The eIDAS Regulation is directly applicable in all 27 EU member states without the need for national transposition. A qualified timestamp reverses the burden of proof: it is for the opposing party to demonstrate that the timestamp is inaccurate.

Does a qualified timestamp help with GDPR compliance?

Yes. GDPR Art. 5(2) (accountability), Art. 7 (proof of consent) and Art. 24 (controller responsibility) require demonstrable compliance. A qualified timestamp proves with legal presumption when consent was given, when data was processed, when privacy policies were published and when data breaches were reported. During GDPR audits and enforcement proceedings, the evidential weight of a qualified timestamp is decisive.

How much does a qualified timestamp cost in comparison?

eIDAS qualified timestamps are available from the Enterprise plan (€28.99/month, 10 timestamps/month) and the Company plan (€18.99/licence/month, 5 timestamps/user/month). In comparison: a traditional notary costs €200–500+, API timestamp services (D-Trust, GLOBALTRUST) require IT integration and cost from €1,200/year, Page Vault starts at $195+/month with no eIDAS timestamps. ProofSnap is the only self-service solution — no API integration, no IT department needed.

Is a qualified timestamp recognised outside the EU?

The eIDAS Regulation applies directly in all 27 EU member states and the EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein). Outside the EU, qualified timestamps are not automatically recognised but serve as strong technical evidence. For international disputes involving EU parties, eIDAS applies directly. Switzerland recognises qualified timestamps under the ZertES (Federal Electronic Signatures Act), and mutual recognition frameworks are developing.

What does the ProofSnap evidence package contain?

13 files in a ZIP: full-page screenshot (JPEG), capture video recording (WebM), evidence PDF, provenance certificate with 8 integrity checks, full HTML source code, DOM text content, metadata (JSON with URL, timestamp, TLS info, cookies), forensic log, chain of custody, manifest with SHA-256 hashes, digital signature (RSA-4096) + public key, blockchain timestamp (manifest.json.ots, OpenTimestamps) and eIDAS qualified timestamp (manifest.json.tsr, RFC 3161, Enterprise/Company). Every file is cryptographically linked to the manifest.

Can I archive a web page in a legally admissible way?

Yes. ProofSnap captures the entire web page (screenshot, HTML source code, metadata) and applies an eIDAS qualified timestamp to the evidence package. This provides legally presumptive proof of what the web page displayed at a specific point in time. The alternative — a traditional notary (€200–500+, days of delay) — is often too slow as web content can be changed or deleted at any moment.

Does a screenshot have evidential value in court?

A plain screenshot has limited evidential value in court. It is easily manipulated with any image editing software, contains no verifiable metadata and no timestamp. Judges may freely assess or reject it. An eIDAS qualified timestamp, by contrast, enjoys a legal presumption under Art. 41(2) — it is for the opposing party to prove that it is inaccurate.

Is ProofSnap an alternative to a traditional notary for web evidence?

For securing web content, yes. A traditional notary or sworn statement costs €200–500+ and takes days. ProofSnap captures the same information instantly, supplemented by a forensic log, chain of custody and eIDAS qualified timestamp. The qualified timestamp enjoys a legal presumption of accuracy under Art. 41(2) eIDAS. Cost: from €2.89 per capture vs €200+ for a notary.

How do I archive my GDPR privacy policy with a timestamp?

GDPR Art. 5(2) (accountability) requires that you can demonstrate which privacy policy was in effect at which date. Open your privacy policy in Chrome, click ProofSnap — you get a 13-file evidence package with an eIDAS qualified timestamp, proving what your privacy policy stated that day. Repeat monthly or after every change. During a GDPR audit, you present 12 months of unbroken evidence.

Is a screenshot admissible as evidence in EU courts?

A screenshot is generally admissible as evidence in EU member states, but its probative value is limited. Being easily falsifiable, courts consider that it guarantees neither reliability nor the date. The opposing party can challenge it without difficulty. An eIDAS qualified electronic timestamp, however, enjoys a presumption of accuracy of the date, time and data integrity (Art. 41(2)). The burden of proof is reversed: the opposing party must demonstrate that the timestamp is erroneous. ProofSnap produces a complete evidence package with screenshot, HTML, metadata, forensic log and eIDAS timestamp in 10 seconds.

How much does an eIDAS qualified timestamp cost?

A traditional notary for a web page costs €200–500+ per session. API qualified timestamp services (D-Trust, GLOBALTRUST) start at €1,200/year and require technical integration. Page Vault starts at $195+/month but offers no eIDAS qualified timestamps. ProofSnap combines web capture + eIDAS qualified timestamp in self-service: from €18.99/licence/month (Company, 5 timestamps/user) or €28.99/month (Enterprise, 10 timestamps). Cost per qualified timestamp: from €3.17.

eIDAS Qualified Timestamp — Self-Service — Alternative to Traditional Notary

The evidence is disappearing. You have 10 seconds.

EU qualified timestamps for web pages — recognised in all 27 member states. From €2.89/timestamp.

Web pages change, posts disappear, terms are quietly updated. When you need the proof, it no longer exists. ProofSnap secures it with an EU qualified timestamp — recognised in all 27 member states without additional certification.

For lawyers who need to secure evidence before it is deleted. For digital forensics investigators who need court-admissible chains of custody. For the DPO managing compliance alone. For everyone who needs an eIDAS timestamp — quickly and without an IT department.

Secure the evidence — 7-day free trial See an evidence package (ZIP)

Also available for Microsoft Edge

7-day free trial, cancel anytime. From €18.99/licence/month.

10 seconds per capture · Recognised in all 27 EU member states · No IT department required

ProofSnap Chrome Extension — eIDAS qualified timestamps for digital evidence

10s

per capture

GDPR fine (annual turnover)

EU member states recognised

Art. 41

burden of proof reversal

Qualified timestamp via Disig a.s. (EU Trusted List) · Recognised in all 27 EU member states

Who needs eIDAS qualified timestamps?

Four professional profiles, one common problem: proving that digital content existed at a specific point in time — with the highest evidential weight that EU law provides.

Lawyers & Legal Departments

Your client calls: “The other side changed their website. Yesterday it said something different.” The terms were quietly updated. The offer was withdrawn. The conversation history was deleted. By the time you arrange a traditional notary (€200–500+, days of waiting), the evidence is gone.

With ProofSnap: open the page, click, done — 13-file evidence package with eIDAS timestamp in 10 seconds. Burden of proof reversal under Art. 41(2). Recognised in all 27 EU member states.

eIDAS Art. 41(2) Contract disputes Evidence preservation Notary alternative

Digital Forensics & Investigations

The evidence is disappearing: online fraud, fake merchant sites, defamatory posts, trademark infringement — the perpetrator deletes the page as soon as they know an investigation is underway. Every hour counts.

With ProofSnap: immediate capture with forensic log, chain of custody, video recording and eIDAS timestamp. Court-admissible in 10 seconds instead of days. From €2.89 per capture — instead of €200+ for a traditional notary.

Chain of Custody Forensic log Fraud investigation Immediate capture

DPOs & Compliance Officers

You do everything alone: privacy policy, cookie banner, processor terms, consents to document — and the data protection authority asks: “What did your cookie banner look like on 1 March?” Your CMS only shows the current version. Fine: up to 4% of annual turnover.

With ProofSnap: 5 captures per month: privacy policy, cookie banner, consent journey, processor terms, regulatory page. 10 seconds per capture. No IT ticket, no API — you do it yourself.

GDPR Art. 5/7/24 Cookie banner Processor monitoring Self-service

IP Protection & Copyright

Who was first? You publish a design, an invention, an article. Months later, someone copies your work. Without a qualified timestamp, it is your word against theirs — and the party with the better lawyer wins.

With ProofSnap: timestamp every publication. The eIDAS timestamp proves with legal presumption that your content existed at a determined date. Decisive for priority rights and DMCA proceedings.

Priority rights Copyright Trade secrets DMCA

The alternatives are slow, expensive or non-existent

Traditional notary / sworn statement

€200–500+ per session. Days of delay. By then, the evidence is often deleted.

API timestamp service (D-Trust, GLOBALTRUST)

API integration required. From €1,200/year. Timestamp only — no web capture, no evidence package.

Page Vault

$195+/month. US-focused. No eIDAS qualified timestamps. No legal presumption in EU courts.

ProofSnap

From €18.99/licence/month. Self-service. 10 seconds. Web capture + eIDAS timestamp + 13-file evidence package in one click.

“During a GDPR audit, we presented 12 months of timestamped captures of our privacy policy. The auditor had no further questions.”

Compliance officer, mid-size enterprise — Typical scenario

“My client captured the supplier’s terms page with ProofSnap before it was changed. In court, the other side could not contest the clause.”

Digital law specialist, law firm — Typical scenario

7-day free trial

From €2.89 per eIDAS timestamp

Cheaper than a postage stamp. 7-day free trial.

Individual user

Enterprise

€28.99/month

or €280/year (20% savings)

Unlimited captures + 10 eIDAS timestamps/month

13-file evidence package + video
Blockchain timestamp (OpenTimestamps)
eIDAS qualified timestamp — 10/month
File certification — 50/month

Secure the evidence — 7-day free trial

For: solo lawyers, DPOs, investigators, consultants

Teams & Firms

Company

€18.99/licence/month

or €190/licence/year (20% savings)

Unlimited captures + 5 eIDAS timestamps/user/month

Everything included in Enterprise
5 eIDAS timestamps/user/month
2–10,000 licences, admin dashboard

Secure the evidence — 7-day free trial

For: law firms, compliance departments, forensics firms

Example: 5 licences × €190/year = €950/year. 25 eIDAS timestamps/month. €3.17 per timestamp.

Don’t need eIDAS timestamps? Essential from €8.99/month or Professional from €16.99/month with blockchain timestamp.

Why an eIDAS timestamp is worth more than a screenshot

Three levels of evidence. Only one reverses the burden of proof onto the opposing party.

Plain screenshot

A screenshot proves nothing. It can be manipulated in seconds with any image editing software. No timestamp, no metadata, no evidential value.

The judge may freely reject it
The burden of proof is on you
No proof of when it was taken

ProofSnap + Blockchain

Solid technical proof. SHA-256 hash anchored in the Bitcoin blockchain. 13-file evidence package. An expert can verify integrity — but no legal presumption.

Cryptographic proof of existence
13-file evidence package
No legal presumption

From Professional — €16.99/month

ProofSnap + Blockchain + eIDAS

Everything included in Blockchain plus: EU qualified timestamp with legal presumption of accuracy. It is for the opposing party to prove the timestamp is inaccurate — not you.

Legal presumption (Art. 41)
Burden of proof reversal
All 27 EU member states recognised

From Enterprise — €28.99/month

What does this mean for your organisation?

Without eIDAS timestamp

You must prove that your digital evidence is authentic. You need experts, reports, technical explanations. It costs time, money and the outcome is uncertain.

With eIDAS timestamp

The court must presume the accuracy of the date and the integrity of the data (Art. 41(2)). It is for the opposing party to prove that something is wrong. You are in a position of strength — without experts, without prolonged hearings.

Legal framework: EU-wide recognition

eIDAS Regulation

• Regulation (EU) No 910/2014, Art. 41–42
• Directly applicable in all 27 member states
• No national transposition required
• Art. 41(2): legal presumption of accuracy

eIDAS 2.0

• Regulation (EU) 2024/1183
• Qualified timestamps maintained & strengthened
• European Digital Identity Wallets
• Enhanced QTSP requirements

GDPR

• Art. 5(2): accountability principle
• Art. 7: proof of consent
• Art. 24: controller responsibility
• Fines: up to 4% of annual global turnover

How to get an eIDAS qualified timestamp

No API integration. No IT department. Self-service in your browser.

Install

ProofSnap from the Chrome Web Store. Choose the Enterprise or Company plan.

Open the page

Click & done

ProofSnap captures the page, HTML, metadata and automatically requests the eIDAS timestamp.

Archive the package

Download the 13-file ZIP. Recognised in all 27 EU member states. No legalisation required.

Contents of the 13-file evidence package

Visual evidence

screenshot.jpeg, capture_video.webm, evidence.pdf, provenance_certificate.pdf

Page data

page.html, domtextcontent.txt, metadata.json

Forensic integrity

forensic_log.json, chain_of_custody.json

Cryptographic proof

manifest.json, manifest.sig, publickey.pem, manifest.json.ots (Blockchain), manifest.json.tsr (eIDAS)

Who issues the timestamp?

Disig a.s. — Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) listed on the EU Trusted List, supervised by the Slovak National Security Authority (Národný bezpečnostný úrad, NBÚ). Timestamps compliant with ETSI EN 319 421/422 standards. Recognised in all 27 EU member states — same legal value as a timestamp from any other European QTSP.

Free trial — 7 days

Not convinced yet? Download a sample evidence package (ZIP)

What is a qualified timestamp under the eIDAS Regulation?

A qualified electronic timestamp under eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 is a piece of digital evidence that cryptographically binds a date and time to data. It enjoys a legal presumption of accuracy (Art. 41(2)) — courts must presume the accuracy of the date and the integrity of the data. The burden of proof lies with the opposing party.

Unlike a plain screenshot or a blockchain timestamp, a qualified timestamp has the highest evidential weight for digital content in the EU. It is issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) listed on the EU Trusted List and supervised by a national supervisory body.

Use cases: securing digital evidence for EU courts (Art. 41(2) eIDAS), GDPR compliance (proof of consents, privacy policies, cookie banners), alternative to traditional notary for web content, forensic investigations, IP protection and priority claims.

Frequently asked questions: eIDAS qualified timestamps

Official sources & legal framework

eIDAS & Trust Services

GDPR & Data Protection

eIDAS Qualified Timestamps. Self-service. From €18.99.

The highest evidential weight for digital content in the EU — without API, without IT department, without a notary. For compliance, law, digital forensics and IP protection.

7-day free trial

eIDAS timestamps from €18.99/licence/month (team) or €28.99/month (individual)