Sworn Translator in Luxembourg: Complete Guide

Living or working in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and looking for a sworn translator for a residence permit, naturalisation application or a procedure before a Luxembourg commune? This guide explains how the Luxembourg system works, which documents are most commonly involved, and the fastest ways to obtain your official translation.

How does sworn translation work in Luxembourg?

In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, sworn translators take their oath before the District Court (Tribunal d'Arrondissement). The Ministry of Justice maintains the official registry of approved translators and interpreters, organised by language and specialisation. Luxembourg being a trilingual country (French, German, Luxembourgish), demand for official translations is particularly high — especially for the languages spoken by the largest immigrant communities: Portuguese, Italian and English.

Here are three approaches to finding a sworn translator in Luxembourg:

1. The Luxembourg Ministry of Justice registry

The Ministry of Justice publishes the official list of approved translators and interpreters in the Grand Duchy. You can filter by language and specialisation. This list is the legal reference, but the process of contacting individual translators, obtaining quotes and waiting for availability can be time-consuming, particularly for less common languages.

2. Specialist online agencies

Platforms like TranslateBE allow you to order a sworn translation entirely online, with a network of translators covering 70+ languages. This is the ideal solution for Luxembourg residents who cannot travel or who need fast delivery.

3. Physical translation offices in Luxembourg City

Several translation offices are established in the capital. They are particularly suited to companies with regular needs and who prefer a local contact. Their turnaround times are often comparable to online solutions.

Which documents require a sworn translation in Luxembourg?

Luxembourg hosts one of the highest proportions of foreign residents in Europe (over 47% of the population). The need for official translations is therefore considerable. Here are the most common cases:

Procedures at Luxembourg communes

• Foreign birth certificate for registration in the communal civil register
• Foreign marriage certificate for transcription or civil marriage in Luxembourg
• Foreign divorce judgment for civil status change
• Certificate of celibacy for family reunification

Procedures at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Immigration

• Luxembourg residence permit — first application and renewal
• Single work permit (autorisation d'occupation)
• Luxembourg naturalisation file
• Family reunification documents

Procedures at ADEM and MSS

• Foreign documents for registration at ADEM (Employment Agency)
• Files for MSS (Mutual Health and Maternity Fund)
• Foreign supporting documents for qualified social assistance entitlements
• Foreign income and social contribution certificates

Judicial and professional procedures

• Foreign judicial decisions for enforcement in Luxembourg
• Foreign degrees for recognition by MENEJ (education ministry)
• Foreign company statutes for registration with the RCS
• Medical documents for CNS (National Health Fund) reimbursements

Turnaround times and pricing in Luxembourg

Local Luxembourg provider vs online platform: the comparison

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do Luxembourg communes accept sworn translations produced abroad?

Yes, in most cases. What matters is that the translation was produced by an approved translator recognised by a competent judicial authority, bearing the translator's official signature and stamp. For documents submitted to Luxembourg authorities, it is advisable to check in advance whether the relevant administration has specific requirements.

Do I need an apostille for my foreign documents?

An apostille is a separate formality from the sworn translation. For documents from a country that has signed the Hague Convention (1961), an apostille may be required before or after translation depending on the administration. See our article on apostilles and document legalisation for more information.

Can I get a Portuguese-French translation for ADEM?

Absolutely. Portuguese is the most requested language pair in Luxembourg. Our sworn Portuguese-French translators regularly handle files for ADEM, communes and the Luxembourg Ministry of Immigration.