Ghent is a booming Flemish university city: Ghent University (UGent) attracts thousands of French-speaking and international students every year, and its thriving technology ecosystem draws companies from across French-speaking Belgium. But Ghent is an entirely Dutch-speaking city. To settle, study or work there, a certified French-Dutch translation in Ghent is often the first administrative step. TranslateBE supports students, expatriates and companies with SPF Justice sworn translators.
Ghent: the Flemish destination for French-speaking students and companies
Ghent University (UGent) is the largest Flemish university with more than 44,000 students. It attracts many French speakers - Belgians from the south or French nationals - who must submit their admission files with diplomas and transcripts translated into Dutch. Alongside the university, Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent) is a reference hospital whose medical records and administrative procedures are conducted exclusively in Dutch. Economically, Ghent hosts a growing number of technology and pharmaceutical companies that maintain commercial ties with Walloon and French partners.
For French speakers settling in Ghent, whether for studies, employment or a professional transfer, the administrative mountain is real. Lease agreements, municipal registration, employment contracts, children's school files, driving licences - all these documents require interaction with Dutch-speaking administrations. A certified FR-NL translation produced by an SPF Justice expert allows you to navigate these procedures with confidence and efficiency.
Documents frequently translated French-Dutch in Ghent
- Diplomas and academic transcripts for enrolment at UGent or Hogeschool Gent
- Lease agreements in Dutch for French-speaking tenants
- Birth certificates and civil status records for Ghent municipal procedures
- Employment contracts for French-speaking employees at Flemish companies
- Medical records for Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent)
- Foreign driving licences for exchange applications in Flanders
- Company formation documents for registration with the City of Ghent
- Certificates and attestations for municipal procedures in Ghent
- Commercial contracts between Walloon/French SMEs and Ghent-based companies
TranslateBE
French-Dutch translation in Ghent
University files, lease agreements, employment contracts, civil status records - SPF Justice sworn translators specialised in Flemish procedures for French speakers.
Legal value and accreditation
Flemish administrations - the City of Ghent, UGent, UZ Gent, courts in the Ghent judicial district - require that any translation submitted as an official document be produced by a translator registered on the national register of the SPF Justice. The certified translation bears the translator's oath and stamp, confirming its fidelity to the original. It is directly receivable without an apostille for internal Belgian procedures. For files submitted abroad (France, Netherlands), an additional apostille may be required.
Pricing and turnaround
The certified French-Dutch translation in Ghent is charged from €55 for a simple document. A complete university file (diploma, transcript, translated cover letter) is generally between €100 and €180. A standard lease agreement costs between €80 and €150. Standard turnaround is 48 business hours. A 24-hour express service is available for enrolments or urgent procedures. Send your documents by e-mail and receive a free quote within the hour.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does UGent accept French diplomas without a Dutch translation?
No, as a general rule. UGent requires that diplomas and transcripts from French-speaking institutions (Belgian or foreign) be accompanied by a Dutch translation to validate equivalence and process the application. Some English-taught programmes may have more flexible rules, but for Dutch-language programmes, a sworn FR-NL translation is systematically required. Check the specific requirements of your intended programme on the UGent website, and plan ahead for the translation time (48-72 hours) when assembling your file.
My lease in Ghent is in Dutch - can I have it certified-translated?
Yes. If your landlord or estate agency has provided a lease in Dutch and you are a French speaker, obtaining a certified French translation is well worth it. Although a certified translation of a personal lease is not always legally mandatory, it protects you by letting you understand your exact obligations (duration, notice, condition of premises, termination terms). In a dispute, having a certified translation can prove decisive before the justice of the peace.
I am moving from Brussels to Ghent - which documents should I have translated?
If you are French-speaking and moving to Ghent, the documents most commonly requiring translation are: your birth certificate (for municipal registration), your children's diplomas (for enrolment in the Flemish school network), your employment contract if it is in French (to comply with Flemish language requirements at work), and any official document you must submit to the City of Ghent. TranslateBE can assist with a personalised translation package for your relocation.
What is the price for a complete French-Dutch university dossier translation in Ghent?
A complete university dossier typically includes a bachelor's or master's diploma, an academic transcript and sometimes an enrolment certificate. TranslateBE offers a competitive rate from €100 for the full set(depending on total volume). Each translated document bears the sworn translator's oath and stamp. Processing time is 48 hours as standard. Contact us with all your documents for a grouped and advantageous quote.
FR-NL translation for Ghent - enrolment, lease, employment
UGent dossier, Flemish employment contract, municipal procedure: our SPF Justice sworn translators process your file in 24 to 48 hours.