Ghent is a vibrant university city and cultural centre with a rapidly growing international community. From the diverse student population at Ghent University to asylum seekers in the Ghent reception network, a telephone interpreter in Ghent bridges every language barrier within minutes, 24 hours a day, without any travel or appointment.
What is telephone interpretation?
Telephone interpretation is a service where a professional interpreter connects via a regular phone line to provide real-time communication between parties with no shared language. No camera, no special software, no installation — just a phone. It is the fastest solution for medical emergencies at Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent), social conversations at the OCMW Ghent, or administrative procedures at the City of Ghent.
When to use telephone interpretation in Ghent?
- Medical emergencies at UZ Gent or AZ Maria Middelares when a patient speaks no Dutch
- Conversations at the OCMW Ghent with refugees or asylum seekers from Syria, Eritrea, Ethiopia or Afghanistan
- Enrolment procedures for international students at Ghent University (UGent) or HOGENT
- Legal proceedings at the East Flanders Court of First Instance, Ghent division
- Police interviews at the Ghent police zone for persons who speak no Dutch or English
- Social support at CAW East Flanders or the Red Cross reception centre in Ghent
- Business meetings with international companies active in the Ghent port area
- Administrative procedures at the Immigration Office or the municipality for family reunification
TranslateBE
Telephone interpreter in Ghent — available within minutes
University city, port area, refugee reception: our Ghent interpretation service covers 70+ languages across all sectors.
Advantages of telephone interpretation vs in-person
- Immediate availability — Connected within 5 to 10 minutes, ideal for the busy UZ Gent emergency ward or urgent OCMW situations, including weekends and public holidays.
- No travel — No travel costs and no traffic issues in busy central Ghent or the port and industrial area.
- Lower cost — No minimum half-day and no travel allowance: telephone interpretation is 30–50% cheaper than an in-person interpreter.
- Rare languages available — Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali, Pashto, Dari and dozens of other languages present in Ghent's reception centres and migrant communities.
- Discretion — Sensitive medical or legal conversations take place on a secure line with no physical third party in the room.
Telephone interpretation rates in Ghent
| Package | Duration | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| One-off call | 15–30 min | €40–70 |
| Hourly package | 1h | €80–120 |
| Professional subscription | monthly | On request |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How quickly is a telephone interpreter available in Ghent?
For the most-requested languages in Ghent — Arabic, Turkish, French, Russian, Tigrinya — an interpreter is reachable within 5 to 10 minutes on average. For very rare languages this may extend to 15–20 minutes. For UZ Gent or the OCMW we recommend a professional subscription for guaranteed speed.
Which languages are available for telephone interpretation in Ghent?
Over 70 languages, including all European languages and also Arabic, Turkish, Tigrinya, Amharic, Somali, Pashto, Dari, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish and many African languages present in Ghent communities.
Are telephone interpretation calls confidential?
Yes. All our interpreters are bound by professional secrecy and work on secure lines compliant with European GDPR. Calls are never recorded unless all parties explicitly consent.
Can I use an interpreter during an emergency admission at UZ Gent?
Certainly. Our service operates 24/7. You can connect the interpreter via speakerphone or a three-party call with UZ Gent nursing or medical staff. Hospitals can also take out a professional subscription for direct access to our interpreter service.
Telephone interpreter available now in Ghent
UZ Gent emergency, OCMW appointment or business meeting — connected in under 10 minutes, 7 days a week, day and night.