Ukrainian Interpreter in Leuven : Ukrainian refugees and students, KU Leuven and OCMW

KU Leuven has established welcome programmes for Ukrainian students and researchers fleeing the war. Leuven also hosts Ukrainian refugees through OCMW. The Ukrainian interpreter assists these communities with academic, medical and administrative procedures. TranslateBE provides certified Ukrainian interpreters in Leuven for KU Leuven, UZ Leuven, OCMW Leuven, Fedasil and courts - available within 24 hours.

The Ukrainian community in Leuven

KU Leuven responded swiftly to the crisis triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The university established dedicated welcome programmes for Ukrainian students and researchers, offering emergency places, scholarships and administrative support to those fleeing the war. Leuven became one of the principal academic reception points in Belgium for Ukrainian intellectuals, scientists and students who sought to continue their studies and research while displaced.

Beyond the university community, OCMW Leuven has supported Ukrainian refugees seeking social assistance, housing and integration into the local community. The Ukrainian-speaking population in Leuven spans from researchers at KU Leuven and UZ Leuven to refugees in Fedasil reception structures and settled families registered with OCMW. For all of these communities, professional Ukrainian interpreting - always distinct from Russian, as consistently requested by Ukrainian refugees - is essential for effective access to institutions, healthcare and justice.

When do you need a Ukrainian interpreter in Leuven?

• KU Leuven academic welcome procedures : enrolment of Ukrainian students under the emergency welcome programme, academic support meetings, research collaboration formalities and administrative procedures for Ukrainian academics
• UZ Leuven medical consultations : specialist appointments, emergency care, psychiatric follow-up, trauma care and clinical research procedures for Ukrainian patients
• OCMW social assistance : living wage entitlement, housing support, social integration pathways and administrative procedures for Ukrainian refugees in Leuven and Flemish Brabant
• CGRS asylum hearings : precise, impartial interpretation of Ukrainian testimonies before the Commissioner General, where every detail may determine the outcome
• Fedasil reception centres : intake interviews and support meetings for Ukrainian refugees in Flemish Brabant reception facilities
• Immigration Office (DVZ/OE) - temporary protection : registration, temporary protection renewals, family reunification and regularisation for Ukrainian nationals
• Courts and legal proceedings : hearings at the Leuven court of first instance, family court and administrative appeal procedures for Ukrainian applicants
• Schools and educational guidance : enrolment procedures, parent-teacher meetings and pupil care teams for Ukrainian children in Leuven

Available interpretation modes

• Liaison (on-site) : The interpreter attends in person and works consecutively. The preferred mode for CGRS asylum hearings, UZ Leuven medical consultations and KU Leuven administrative meetings where physical presence supports trust and accuracy.
• Remote (Zoom/Teams) : Video interpreting for online KU Leuven academic procedures, remote OCMW case manager meetings or Immigration Office consultations with Ukrainian applicants.
• Telephone : Immediate support for urgent situations - emergency admissions at UZ Leuven, urgent OCMW or Fedasil contacts - when on-site attendance is not immediately feasible.
• Consecutive : The speaker pauses after each passage while the interpreter renders the message. Suited to formal asylum hearings, court proceedings and official KU Leuven or administrative meetings.

Ukrainian interpreter rates in Leuven