A multilingual general meeting brings together shareholders, directors and statutory auditors who speak different languages. Whether it is a private limited company (BV/SRL) with foreign investors or a public limited company (NV/SA) listed on Euronext Brussels, a professional interpreter ensures that every resolution is legally valid and fully understood by all parties.
Why does a general meeting require a professional interpreter?
Decisions taken at a general meeting - voting rights, dividend distribution, amendment of articles of association, merger or dissolution - have direct legal and financial consequences. The Belgian Code of Companies and Associations sets quorum requirements: a shareholder who does not understand the meeting language cannot validly exercise their voting rights. A professional interpreter prevents subsequent disputes and protects the validity of the resolutions passed.
What does our interpreting service for general meetings cover?
- Simultaneous interpreting in an interpreter booth for large AGMs with more than 30 participants
- Consecutive interpreting for small BV/SRL or cooperative general meetings (< 15 shareholders)
- Translation of the agenda, minutes and corporate documents before the meeting
- Language pairs: NL-FR, NL-EN, FR-EN, NL-DE, EN-ZH, EN-JA and more than 70 other combinations
- Available throughout Belgium: Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Liège, Bruges
- Installation of portable RSI equipment (infrared) if the venue has no booth
- Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for all interpreters - included as standard
- Flexible booking up to 48 hours before the meeting; express 24-hour service available
TranslateBE
Interpreter for your general meeting - quote within 1 hour
Multilingual AGM with foreign shareholders? Receive a detailed, tailored quote within 1 hour based on your corporate structure.
Recommended interpreting mode for general meetings
- Simultaneous interpreting: recommended for AGMs of listed NV/SAs or large cooperatives with multiple language groups - participants listen via earpiece without interrupting proceedings
- Consecutive interpreting: suitable for closed BV/SRLs or family-owned companies with a maximum of two language communities - the interpreter renders each speaker's contribution after they finish
- Whispered interpreting (chuchotage): optional for one or two shareholders who speak a different language - the interpreter whispers discreetly beside the person concerned
Rates for general meeting interpreting
| Service | Duration | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Half day | ≤ 4h | €250–400 |
| Full day | ≤ 8h | €450–700 |
| Travel | - | +€0.40/km |
| RSI equipment hire | per day | On request |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the interpreting service confidential for sensitive corporate information?
Yes. All TranslateBE interpreters sign a strict non-disclosure agreement before the assignment. Strategic information such as merger plans, shareholding structure or financial results remains completely confidential. A bespoke NDA tailored to your company can be drafted on request.
Which languages are available for multilingual general meetings?
TranslateBE covers more than 70 languages. The most requested combinations for AGMs are: Dutch-French, Dutch-English, French-English, Dutch-German, English-Chinese (Mandarin), English-Japanese, English-Arabic and English-Spanish. Contact us for rare language pairs.
How far in advance should I book an interpreter for a general meeting?
We recommend booking at least 5 working days in advance for a standard AGM. For large simultaneous interpreting assignments with booth installation, 10 working days is the norm. In urgent cases, TranslateBE offers an express 24-hour service for available language pairs.
What is the difference between liaison interpreting and simultaneous interpreting for an AGM?
Simultaneous interpreting takes place in real time via an interpreter booth: the speaker is not interrupted and participants listen via a wireless earpiece. This is ideal for large AGMs. Liaison or consecutive interpreting means the interpreter renders each segment after it is spoken, which extends the meeting duration but requires no equipment - suited to small, informal general meetings.
Book your AGM interpreter - express 24 hours
Your general meeting is scheduled and you still need an interpreter? TranslateBE provides certified interpreters for multilingual general meetings throughout Belgium, with express 24-hour delivery.