An employment contract in a foreign language must be translated to be fully understood and legally enforceable in Belgium. Whether you are a foreign worker arriving in Belgium, a company employing posted workers, or a Belgian expatriate going abroad, the legal translation of your contract is an essential step in protecting your rights.
Case 1: The foreign worker arriving in Belgium with a contract in their language
A foreign national hired by a Belgian company, or arriving in Belgium with an employment contract written in their native language, often faces administrative procedures requiring a French or Dutch version of that document:
- Dimona declaration (NSSO): The employer must register each worker with the NSSO via Dimona. If the contract is foreign, a translation may be required to verify the nature of the contract (open-ended, fixed-term, part-time).
- Actiris / FOREM / VDAB: When applying for unemployment benefits or employment support services, the employment agencies may request proof of previous employment in a national language.
- Work permit and work visa: For non-EU nationals, the Immigration Office and the FPS Employment often require a certified translation of the foreign employment contract to process the single work permit application (combined permit).
- Family allowance fund: To receive family allowances in Belgium, workers often need to justify their professional activity, particularly for periods of work abroad that factor into the calculation of entitlements.
Case 2: Workers posted to Belgium (posting directive)
Directive 96/71/EC on the posting of workers, amended by Directive 2018/957/EU, requires foreign companies posting workers to Belgium to comply with Belgian minimum working conditions. To demonstrate compliance, the employer must be able to produce:
- A copy of the employment contract (or posting assignment letter) in French or Dutch
- Translated payslips
- Proof of social security affiliation in the country of origin (A1 form)
The Belgian Social Inspection (Directorate for the Control of Social Laws) may require these translated documents during site or workplace inspections. Companies that do not have these translations risk significant fines.
Types of contracts covered: open-ended contracts, fixed-term contracts, temporary employment contracts, part-time contracts, apprenticeship contracts. The most common languages in this context: Polish, Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Slovak.
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Case 3: Belgian expatriates and contracts abroad
A Belgian company sending an employee to work abroad (expatriate) often needs to have the Belgian employment contract translated into the language of the host country, or conversely to have the local contract signed in the host country translated into French or Dutch.
These translations are used in particular to:
- Compare social benefits and net remuneration between the two regimes
- Demonstrate to the Belgian FPS Finance whether or not Belgian tax residence is maintained
- Provide evidence in the event of an employment dispute (applicable law, place of performance)
- Check the non-compete clause and its validity under Belgian law
Belgian legal provisions checked by the specialist translator
Our legal translators specialised in Belgian social law do not simply translate word for word. For translations into French or Dutch, they identify and flag (in a translator's note) clauses that may be incompatible with Belgian law:
- Notice periods shorter than Belgian legal minimums (Act of 26 December 2013)
- Non-compete clauses that do not meet Belgian validity conditions
- Disproportionate penalty or cancellation clauses
- Absence of mention of extra-legal benefits (meal vouchers, company car, group insurance)
- Applicable law and competent jurisdiction in the event of a dispute
Turnaround times and rates
| Document / Service | Standard turnaround | Express turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Employment contract 2-4 pages (Romanian, Polish, Ukrainian…) | 2-3 business days | 24h |
| Long contract with annexes (payslips, regulations) | 3-5 business days | 48h |
| Posting pack (contract + assignment letter + A1) | 3-4 business days | On express quote |
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does an employment contract translation need to be sworn?
For common administrative uses (NSSO, Actiris, VDAB), a translation certified by a professional translator is generally sufficient. However, for court proceedings (employment tribunal), a contested unemployment claim or an immigration procedure (work permit), a sworn translation by a Belgian sworn translator is recommended or even mandatory. Please specify the final use when placing your order.
Can my employer require me to understand my Belgian contract without a translation?
In Belgium, the language of the employment contract is regulated by the consolidated laws on the use of languages in social relations (Royal Decree of 18 July 1966 and regional decrees). In the Flemish Region, the contract must be written in Dutch; in the Walloon Region (outside Brussels), in French. Brussels operates under a more flexible regime. A contract written in another language may be declared void by the employment tribunal. Having your contract translated allows you to verify that it meets these obligations.
Can I have an amendment or contract modification translated?
Yes. Amendments, posting assignment letters, changes to remuneration or working hours are all documents we regularly translate. Send the entire file (main contract plus amendments) for a consistent translation and an overall rate.
How much does an employment contract translation cost?
The rate depends on the word count (or number of pages), the language and the turnaround. For a standard contract of 2 to 4 pages (approximately 1,000-2,000 words), expect between €80 and €200 depending on the language. Rare language pairs (e.g. Bulgarian-French) may be slightly more expensive. Request an online quote - response in a few minutes.
Do my foreign payslips also need to be translated?
For a posting procedure or to justify foreign income to the Belgian FPS Finance, the NSSO or a Belgian bank (credit application), foreign payslips generally need to be translated. We can translate them at the same time as the contract, which entitles you to a volume rate.
Social Inspection check imminent or new job starting soon?
We handle employment contract translations on an express basis, 7 days a week. Send your document now.