The preliminary sale agreement (compromis de vente) is the moment the deal becomes binding, so signing it remotely is about preserving that legal force while removing the need to be in the room. Three routes achieve this, and the choice depends on your situation and the notary's practice.
The first is electronic signature. A qualified electronic signature (signature electronique qualifiee), which meets the highest EU eIDAS standard, has the same legal value as a handwritten one and lets all parties sign from anywhere. Platforms used by Belgian notaries and agencies support this for the compromis. The second is exchange by post or courier: each party signs paper copies and returns them, an old-fashioned but reliable method when electronic signing is not convenient. The third is a power of attorney (procuration): you authorise a named person to sign the compromis in your name, which is common for buyers or sellers who are abroad and want a trusted local hand on the pen.
A counter-intuitive but reassuring fact: signing the compromis remotely does not weaken it. Once validly signed by both sides, it commits buyer and seller just as strongly as an in-person signature, including any deposit and suspensive conditions such as obtaining a mortgage. That is exactly why the method must be handled properly, and why the identity checks and, for a power of attorney, the formalities (notarisation and sometimes an apostille for a document made abroad) are taken seriously.
Easyhome coordinates the practical logistics, drafting timelines, document flow and liaison with the notary, so a remote party can sign the compromis confidently and the transaction moves on to the notarial deed without delay.
At a glance
| Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified electronic signature | eIDAS-compliant e-signature, same value as wet ink | Parties who can sign online |
| Postal exchange | Wet-ink copies signed and returned | When e-signing is not available |
| Power of attorney | A named person signs in your name | Parties abroad who prefer a local signatory |
| Identity checks | Verified for every method | All remote signings |
| Legal effect | Fully binding once validly signed | Same as an in-person compromis |