Ghent has welcomed a growing Ukrainian refugee community since 2022, with OCMW Ghent playing a central role in coordinating integration support, housing assistance and employment access. UGent has admitted Ukrainian students and researchers, UZ Ghent treats Ukrainian patients regularly, and VDAB helps Ukrainian adults enter the Flemish labour market. TranslateBE provides certified Russian interpreters for social, medical, academic and legal settings across the Ghent region.
The Ukrainian community in Ghent since 2022
Following the February 2022 invasion, thousands of Ukrainian nationals arrived in Ghent under the EU temporary protection directive. OCMW Ghent responded rapidly, setting up dedicated Ukrainian reception desks and coordinating housing, social assistance and integration pathways for new arrivals. The municipality of Ghent became one of the most active Flemish cities in Ukrainian refugee integration, with Ukrainian families settling across multiple districts and children enrolled in local schools.
UGent opened its doors to Ukrainian students and researchers disrupted by the war, offering emergency study places and research positions. UZ Ghent sees Ukrainian patients across multiple departments, with Russian being the predominant language of communication for many of them. VDAB Ghent runs language and vocational training programmes designed specifically for Ukrainian adults seeking to enter the Belgian labour market. All of these contexts require professional Russian or Ukrainian interpreting on a regular basis.
When do you need a Russian interpreter in Ghent?
- OCMW (integration of Ukrainians) : living wage assessments, housing support interviews, integration contract reviews and daily administrative support for Ukrainian and other Russian-speaking residents
- UZ Ghent (Ukrainian patients) : specialist consultations, emergency admissions, obstetric care and psychiatric follow-up for Russian-speaking patients at the university hospital
- UGent (Ukrainian students and Russian-speaking researchers) : academic orientation, administrative enrolment, housing registration and conference interpreting for Ukrainian and Russian-speaking academics
- VDAB (refugee employment) : job counselling interviews, vocational training registrations and professional integration support for Ukrainian jobseekers
- Ghent courts (protection status proceedings) : hearings related to temporary protection status, civil proceedings and police interviews involving Russian-speaking parties
- Immigration Office : temporary protection registration, residence permit renewals and family reunification procedures for Ukrainian nationals
- Schools (Ukrainian children) : parent-teacher meetings, pupil care team sessions and educational guidance for Ukrainian families
- Paediatrics and family mediation : Kind en Gezin consultations, child welfare assessments and family mediation sessions involving Russian-speaking parties
TranslateBE
Russian interpreter in Ghent - quote within 1h
Certified Russian interpreters for OCMW Ghent, UZ Ghent, UGent, VDAB, Ghent courts and schools. Ukrainian and Russian speakers covered.
Available interpretation modes
- Liaison (on-site) : The interpreter attends in person alongside the Russian-speaking party. Essential for OCMW interviews, hospital consultations, court hearings and school meetings where physical presence supports trust and accuracy.
- Remote (Zoom/Teams) : Video interpreting for online VDAB guidance sessions, remote Immigration Office procedures or digital OCMW case manager appointments.
- Telephone : Immediate support for urgent hospital admissions at UZ Ghent, police contacts or emergency social service calls when on-site attendance is not feasible.
- Consecutive : Speaker and interpreter alternate in a structured exchange. Suited to formal court hearings, UGent academic events and official administrative meetings.
Russian interpreter rates in Ghent
| Service | Duration | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|
| Liaison half day | <= 4h | €250–400 |
| Liaison full day | <= 8h | €450–700 |
| Remote (per hour) | 1h | €80–120/h |
| Telephone | 15–30 min | €40–70 |
| Travel | - | +€0.40/km |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can your Russian interpreters in Ghent assist with OCMW integration interviews for Ukrainian families?
Yes. OCMW integration interviews - living wage assessments, housing support reviews and integration contract discussions - are among our most frequent Ghent interpreting assignments since 2022. Our interpreters are familiar with the OCMW procedures specific to temporary protection beneficiaries and can work in both Russian and Ukrainian depending on the client's preference.
Can I book a Russian interpreter for a UZ Ghent medical appointment on short notice?
Yes. Medical interpreting for Ukrainian and Russian-speaking patients at UZ Ghent is a regular part of our service. We confirm on-site interpreter availability within 1 hour for scheduled appointments. For urgent admissions, telephone interpreting is available immediately while an on-site interpreter is arranged.
Do your interpreters cover Ukrainian as well as Russian for Ghent assignments?
Yes. Our interpreters are native in both Ukrainian and Russian and can work with clients in whichever language they are most comfortable with. For OCMW, VDAB and UZ Ghent assignments, we always confirm the preferred language with the client before the appointment to ensure the most effective communication.
Can a Russian interpreter assist a Ukrainian student with administrative enrolment at UGent?
Yes. Administrative enrolment, housing registration, access to university social services and municipal residence registration are regular interpreting assignments for Ukrainian students at UGent. We confirm availability within 1 hour and can arrange on-site or telephone assistance for these practical steps.
Russian interpreter available in Ghent - express 24h
Urgent bookings for OCMW Ghent, UZ Ghent, UGent, VDAB, Ghent courts and schools. Ukrainian and Russian speakers confirmed within 1 hour.