The consent guide

Understand the agreement.
Before you make it.

From a child’s next trip to an everyday agreement. Understand what you are agreeing to, who needs to be involved and what to check before you sign.

A little understanding. A clearer decision.

Consent starts with knowing what you are saying yes to.

Giving permission, authorising someone to act and agreeing to a contract can all involve a signature. But they are different legal acts. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right document and set clear boundaries.

Permission for a specific purpose.

A consent expresses agreement to a particular action: for example, a child travelling with another adult. It should make clear who gives permission, who may act, what is allowed and for how long. The person giving permission must have the authority to do so.

Authority to act on your behalf.

An authorisation gives another person a defined task, such as collecting a document. Limit its scope to what is needed. A collection authorisation, a travel permission and a formal power of attorney are not interchangeable; the receiving authority may require its own form.

An agreement between people.

A rental agreement, vehicle purchase agreement or non-disclosure agreement records agreed terms and can create obligations for the parties. Signing it is different from giving a permission that can simply be withdrawn. Ending or changing a contract depends on its terms and the applicable law.

Consent to use personal data.

Under the GDPR, consent must be freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous. It is one possible legal basis for processing personal data, not a requirement for every use of data. Permission for a child’s trip is not automatically consent to every use of the child’s personal information.

Can consent be withdrawn?

Some permissions can be revoked. Whether, how and when revocation takes effect depends on the type of permission and the applicable law. If you withdraw an authorisation, tell the people or organisations relying on it and make clear which document and activity are affected.

For personal-data processing based on GDPR consent, you can withdraw consent at any time, and withdrawing must be as easy as giving it. Withdrawal does not make earlier processing unlawful. It also does not automatically cancel a separate contract or require deletion of every record.

GDPR · Articles 4, 6, 7 and 17 ↗

Digital, on paper or witnessed?

A signature helps record agreement, but the required format matters. Depending on the document and destination, you may need an original signed in ink, a witness, notarisation or an official form. A scan of an ink signature and a qualified electronic signature are different things. Check the recipient’s requirements before signing.

The EU’s eIDAS framework recognises electronic signatures: a signature cannot be denied legal effect or admissibility as evidence solely because it is electronic or is not qualified. A qualified electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature. That does not make every electronic signature equivalent to an ink signature.

eIDAS · Article 25 ↗

A European framework. Requirements for each situation.

EU law provides common rules for electronic signatures and data protection. It does not create one universal consent form. eIDAS leaves contract validity and other legal form requirements to applicable EU or national law. For children’s travel, each country sets its own parental-authorisation requirements.

Before relying on a document, check the country, authority or organisation involved. Look for requirements about who must sign, identity evidence, language, duration and the accepted signature format.

eIDAS · Article 2 ↗Your Europe · Children’s travel requirements ↗

9 forms

FamilyAvailable now

Children Travel Consent

A child travels with grandparents, another trusted adult or one parent. Written permission can help make clear who has agreed to the trip.

Who is involved?

The child; the person travelling with them; and the parent or guardian entitled to give permission.

What belongs in the document?

Names and contact details, the destination, travel dates, the accompanying adult and emergency information.

How easyConsent® helps

Choose Children Travel Consent, add the people and trip details, invite the required guardians to review and sign, and follow the document in My Documents.

FamilyComing soon

Passport or ID Card Application Consent

Someone helps with a child’s passport or ID application. Permission to assist and permission to issue the document are different questions.

Who is involved?

The child, the person with parental responsibility and the adult assisting with the application.

What belongs in the document?

The child’s details, the issuing authority, the authorised adult and the exact task they may carry out.

How easyConsent® helps

This form is planned for easyConsent®. It is not available to create yet.

FamilyComing soon

Passport or ID Card Pickup Consent

A document is ready, but its holder cannot collect it in person. A limited authorisation explains who may collect what.

Who is involved?

The document holder or their lawful representative, the authorised collector and the issuing office.

What belongs in the document?

The document to collect, the issuing office, the collector’s details and the permitted collection period.

How easyConsent® helps

This form is planned for easyConsent®. It is not available to create yet.

FamilyComing soon

Child Pickup Consent

A grandparent, friend or another trusted adult picks up a child from school, care or an activity.

Who is involved?

The child, the parent or guardian and the person authorised to collect the child.

What belongs in the document?

The pickup location, authorised person, dates or recurring schedule and a contact for questions.

How easyConsent® helps

This form is planned for easyConsent®. It is not available to create yet.

Real EstateComing soon

Rental Agreement

A landlord and tenant want a shared record of the property, payments and responsibilities they have agreed.

Who is involved?

The landlord and tenant, and any additional party involved in the agreement.

What belongs in the document?

The property, rental period, rent, deposit, payment dates and responsibilities for the tenancy.

How easyConsent® helps

This form is planned for easyConsent®. It is not available to create yet.

Real EstateComing soon

Tenant Self-Disclosure

A prospective tenant shares relevant information so a landlord can assess a rental application.

Who is involved?

The applicant and the person or organisation receiving the application.

What belongs in the document?

Relevant household, income and rental-history information, with supporting information where appropriate.

How easyConsent® helps

This form is planned for easyConsent®. It is not available to create yet.

VehicleComing soon

Used Vehicle Purchase Agreement

A buyer and seller want to record the condition, price and handover of a used vehicle.

Who is involved?

The buyer and seller, with clear identification of the vehicle.

What belongs in the document?

Vehicle identity, mileage, known defects, price, payment arrangements and handover details.

How easyConsent® helps

This form is planned for easyConsent®. It is not available to create yet.

BusinessComing soon

Non-Disclosure Agreement

People want to discuss a project or business opportunity while setting boundaries for confidential information.

Who is involved?

The person or organisation sharing information and the recipient; sometimes both parties share information.

What belongs in the document?

The information covered, permitted use, who may receive it and the agreed duration.

How easyConsent® helps

This form is planned for easyConsent®. It is not available to create yet.

OtherComing soon

Digital Legacy Consent

Someone wants to record who should help with selected digital accounts or files in the future.

Who is involved?

The account holder and the person they nominate, subject to the provider’s procedures.

What belongs in the document?

The accounts or files concerned, the intended tasks and where the relevant instructions can be found. Do not put passwords in a shared consent document.

How easyConsent® helps

This form is planned for easyConsent®. It is not available to create yet.

A digital signature. The right requirements.

EU rules distinguish electronic, advanced electronic and qualified electronic signatures. Qualified electronic signatures have the same legal effect as handwritten signatures across the EU. Do not assume every digital signing process is a qualified signature or that every recipient accepts the same format.

European Commission · Electronic signatures ↗

General information, not individual legal advice. Requirements depend on the country, authority and situation. Check the applicable official guidance before using a document. Sources checked 8 October 2026.