Luxembourg is a unique case in Europe: its three official languages — French, German, and Luxembourgish — and its cross-border population of nearly 200,000 commuters (French, Belgian, German) make the Grand Duchy a particularly demanding environment for medical translation. The CHL and private clinics daily receive patients whose files are written in different languages.
A unique multilingual healthcare system
The Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Hôpital Robert Schuman (HRS), and Clinique Bohler receive Luxembourg resident patients, French, Belgian, and German cross-border workers, as well as English-speaking expatriates and international patients seeking specialised care. This linguistic diversity requires rigorous management of multilingual medical files.
Medical protocols in Luxembourg are often written in French or German depending on the institution, but prescriptions may be issued in Luxembourgish or English for non-French-speaking patients. Translation of medical files between French, German, Luxembourgish, and English is a daily necessity in this small country of 660,000 inhabitants.
Types of medical documents translated in Luxembourg
- CHL / HRS patient files: hospitalisation reports, discharge letters, biological results, imaging reports for cross-border patients
- Trilingual medical protocols: translation between FR, DE, LU, and EN of therapeutic protocols and hospital procedures
- Prescriptions and medical orders: translation for cross-border patients who fill their prescriptions in their country of residence
- Medical expert reports: assessments for the Caisse Nationale de Santé (CNS), Luxembourg occupational medicine, or insurers
- Pharmaceutical documents: several pharma groups have their European headquarters in Luxembourg and require regulatory translations
- Repatriation files: emergency translation for patients repatriated to France, Belgium, or Germany
TranslateBE
Medical translation in Luxembourg: FR, DE, LU, EN
Medical translators specialised in Luxembourg's 3 official languages. CHL, HRS, Clinique Bohler. GDPR confidentiality.
Turnaround times and rates
| Document type | Standard turnaround | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Patient file (10 pages) | 24–48h | €0.12/word |
| Trilingual medical protocol | 3–5 days | On request |
| CNS expert report | 2–3 days | €0.13/word |
| Regulatory pharma document | 3–7 days | On request |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can you translate a medical file for the CHL?
Yes. We regularly handle patient files for the CHL and HRS, particularly for French, Belgian, and German cross-border patients. Our medical translators cover the FR↔DE, FR↔EN, DE↔EN, and FR↔LU pairs. Standard turnaround: 24 to 48h for a standard 10-page file.
Luxembourg has three official languages: do you work in Luxembourgish?
Yes. Although Luxembourgish is less often used in medical documents than French or German, we have translators specialised in this language. For medical documents, French and German remain predominant, but we can work in Luxembourgish on request.
What is the turnaround time for urgent medical translation in Luxembourg?
For a standard patient file (5 to 10 pages), we can deliver in 24h in express mode. For medical protocols or voluminous files, allow 3 to 5 days. We are reachable 7 days a week for medical emergencies related to repatriations.
What are the rates for medical translation in Luxembourg?
The indicative rate is €0.12 to €0.13/word for patient files, depending on terminological complexity and the language pair. Medical protocols and regulatory documents are quoted based on volume and languages involved. Request a free quote in 1h.
Urgent medical translation in Luxembourg?
Our medical translators cover the Grand Duchy's 3 official languages. 24h intervention for urgent cases. Free quote.