When you move to Luxembourg, you may not have time to deal with documents. However, many urgent tasks – registering in a commune, applying for a residence permit, renting an apartment – require certain papers. Most often, some of them you can prepare in the country of residence, but this does not guarantee that the translations will not have to be recertified or even translated again with the help of a specialist.
Luxembourg has three official languages – French, German, and Luxembourgish – but English is often added to the list.
Business communication with public authorities is most often in French or English. This should be taken into account when translating documents for relocation. In this article, we will look in detail at the entire process of preparing papers for relocation to the Grand Duchy.
It will often depend on the status and grounds on which you're moving to Luxembourg. Relocation documents can be divided into necessary and additional. Necessary documents include:
Regardless of the situation, all documents in a foreign language must be translated into one of the official national languages before being sent to the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At each stage of the move, you will need certain documents. Some of them need to be translated by a sworn translator and sometimes undergo other official procedures.
In addition to the basic steps of the move, you will often be faced with filing various documents during your stay in Luxembourg. This too should be taken care of in advance, especially if you have children or elderly parents.
Read more about documents that should be prepared when you are moving as a highly-qualified worker with Blue Card in our special dedicated article.
To make your move to Luxembourg easier we suggest preparing your documents in advance. You can collect your documents from your place of residence and translate them with the help of an agency or individual translator.
List of documents that can be translated in general in the translator's offices in Luxembourg:
The specific documents you'll need may vary depending on your individual circumstances, such as your purpose of relocation, visa requirements, and the nature of your stay in Luxembourg. Read our special articles to be ready in terms of paperwork:
Luxembourg generally requires certified translations for official purposes, especially when dealing with legal or administrative matters. However, for certain situations, such as for personal use or informational purposes, you may not necessarily need certified translations.
For example, if you are translating
certification by a notary or sworn translator may not be required.
Sometimes documents must be translated by a certified or sworn translator in Luxembourg. Otherwise, your documents will not be accepted. For example, you will always need to translate your academic documents such as diplomas or transcripts via a certified notary translator in the country.
However, some documents need to be translated with the help of a different professional, a sworn translator. Here are some of the documents that may require a translation from a sworn translator:
These are documents that are issued by a government agency, such as a birth certificate or a passport.
These are documents that are used in court or other legal proceedings, such as a divorce decree or a will.
These are documents that are used to diagnose or treat a medical condition, such as a doctor's report or a prescription.
If you are unsure whether or not you need a translation from a special sworn translator, you should contact the government or the organization that is requesting the translation. They will be able to tell you if a special sworn translator is required and, if so, who you should contact to get a translation.
One of the most important conditions for fast and high-quality translation of documents is the correct and on-time preparation of the sources for translation. You need to consider in what format a professional translator accepts the documents (by regular mail or in an electronic version, and if electronic, what file format), as well as make sure that the text you submit is readable.
Basic requirements for the files for translation:
After the translator sends you the certified translation, make sure that everything is done correctly. Important indicators of a well-translated document are:
Finding the right translator is an important step. When it comes to translating documents, many people immediately turn to large translation agencies, assuming that their reputation guarantees flawless results.
While these agencies certainly deliver high-quality work, it’s not always the right choice. If you have a smaller number of documents requiring translation, opting for a private translator or a smaller agency can be more advantageous.
The Minister of Justice may, in criminal and administrative matters, appoint sworn experts, translators and interpreters, specially entrusted with the execution of missions delegated to them by the judicial and administrative authorities.
You can find a list of certified sworn translators in Luxembourg, filtered by the language on the website of the Ministry.
A sworn translator is not a notary and cannot notarize documents or work with originals. However, if you have a finished translation that needs to be notarized or a notarized document that needs to be translated, they can help you.
In other words, a sworn translation involves the authentication of a translated document by a notary public, who verifies the accuracy of the translation and the identity of the translator.
The Luxembourg Association of Translators and Interpreters (ALTI) is a non-profit professional body founded in 2011 to defend the interests of professional translators and interpreters in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and raise public awareness of these professions.
Address: 30, rue des Fleurs, Dudelange, Luxembourg
Alphatrad is a translation agency that has been in business for over 40 years. They offer a wide range of translation services, including sworn translations, and a wide range of languages they work with — more than 100.
The cost of document translation services in Luxembourg depends on the tariff and the interpreter you turn to. Here you can find a table with approximate prices.
Document type | Price per document |
---|---|
Birth certificate | 15 – 30 euros |
Marriage certificate | 15 – 30 euros |
Death certificate | 15 – 30 euros |
Diploma | 50 – 70 euros |
CV | 15 – 30 euros |
Legal document | 20 – 100 euros |
Technical document | 20 – 150 euros |
On average, it will cost you around 100-300 euros per person to translate a package of documents for your relocation to Luxembourg.
Please note that these are just average prices and the actual cost of the translation may vary depending on the complexity of the document, the urgency of the translation, and the experience of the translator.
An apostille is a specific type of certification attached to a document to verify its authenticity and facilitate its recognition in countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. It confirms the validity of a document's signature, seal, or stamp.
Only the issuing authority can place an apostille, which means that neither a notary nor a sworn translator can apostille a document.
For instance, if you require an apostille for a diploma of education, you must request it directly from the educational institution or the Ministry of Education in your country. They are the only entities authorized to issue an apostille for that particular document.
The following list of documents is most likely to require an apostille:
A sworn translator in Luxembourg is an authorized professional who has been officially recognized by the Ministry of Justice. They have undergone specific training, met stringent criteria, and taken an oath before a court to provide accurate and reliable translations. Sworn translators have the authority to translate and certify the authenticity of various types of documents, such as legal contracts, certificates, diplomas, or official correspondence.
When a document is translated by a sworn translator, they provide a signed and stamped certificate of accuracy, affirming that the translation is true and faithful to the original document. This certification ensures that the translation is legally recognized and accepted by Luxembourgish authorities and institutions.
The cost of translating a document varies depending on a number of factors, including the length of the document, the language, the complexity of the document, and the urgency of the translation. In general, however, you can expect to pay anywhere from 15 to 30 euros for simple documents, and around 100 euros for complex multi-page papers.
As our readers say, a family of three usually spends around 300 euros for translating all the documents they need in the process of relocation. A lot still depends on factors, such as grounds and personal circumstances.
In Luxembourg, you have several options for professional document translation services. Sworn translators, also known as certified translators, are authorized professionals recognized by the Luxembourgish authorities. They specialize in translating documents such as legal contracts, certificates, or official correspondence. You can find a list of sworn translators on the Luxembourg Ministry of Justice's website or by contacting the Ministry directly.
Translation agencies in Luxembourg offer professional translation services with a team of experienced translators who specialize in various fields and languages. They can handle a wide range of documents, including legal, technical, medical, or business-related content. You can search online or consult local directories to find translation agencies in Luxembourg.
Many professional translators in Luxembourg work independently as freelancers. They often specialize in specific languages or subject areas. You can find freelance translators through online platforms, professional associations, or personal referrals. Before hiring a freelance translator, it's important to review their credentials, experience, and client feedback.