Brussels is home to more than 2,500 multinationals and virtually all European institutions - the Commission, Parliament, Council, NATO, Eurocontrol. In this officially bilingual FR/NL city that is also an international capital, multilingual human resources management is the daily reality of hundreds of HR departments.
HR in the European institutions
European Union institutions directly employ more than 40,000 civil servants and contract agents in Brussels. Their recruitment procedures, engagement contracts and staff regulations are drafted in 24 official languages. Service provider companies - consultants, security firms, catering services, IT - must supply their HR documents in French or English according to each institution's requirements.
TranslateBE supports companies subcontracting for EU institutions in translating their framework contracts, quality charters and social compliance reports. Our expertise covers the specifics of EU staff regulations and the documentary requirements of the European Commission.
Bilingual contracts and trilingual Brussels
The linguistic situation in Brussels is unique in Europe. The Brussels-Capital Region is officially bilingual FR/NL, but a large portion of its working population uses English as their primary professional language. Bicommunal bodies (COCOM) and those under a single community (COCOF for French, VGC for Dutch) have their own linguistic requirements.
- Bilingual FR/NL employment contracts: required for companies with a registered office in the bilingual Brussels zone
- COCOM and COCOF documents: certificates, subsidy forms, activity reports to be translated according to the competent community commission
- Internal regulations and ethics charters: to be distributed in FR, NL and often EN in Brussels multinationals
- Job descriptions and role profiles: translation for international recruitment processes via LinkedIn, EURES or executive search firms
- Training plans and annual appraisals: internal HR documents to be translated for non-French-speaking or non-Dutch-speaking employees
TranslateBE
HR translation for Brussels and EU institutions
FR/NL/EN legal translators specialising in Brussels labour law. Free quote in under one hour.
Pricing
Brussels HR documents are often more complex than average due to their bilingual or trilingual dimension. A bilingual FR/NL employment contract of 8 pages is priced from 110 euros. A complete HR policy (telework, harassment, diversity) of 20 pages is estimated between 200 and 380 euros. We offer annual packages for HR departments with recurring translation needs.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
In which language must an employment contract be drafted in Brussels?
In Brussels, companies with a registered office in the bilingual zone must comply with the legislation on the use of languages in administrative matters (Act of 2 August 1963 and the 2004 decree). In practice, the contract can be drafted in the employee's language (FR or NL), but a version in the other language must be available on request. Anglo-Saxon multinationals often add an English version for information purposes, without contractual value.
Do you translate HR documents for European institutions?
Yes, TranslateBE translates HR documents for EU institution service providers and subcontractors: service contracts, quality charters, social compliance certificates, CVs and cover letters for EPSO competitions. We master the specific terminology of European public service law and the documentary styles required by the Commission and the European Parliament.
How long does it take to translate a company internal regulation in Brussels?
For a standard internal regulation of 10 to 20 pages, the deadline is 3 to 5 business days. For a trilingual FR/NL/EN version, allow 5 to 8 days depending on volume. The express 24h service is available for urgent documents of less than 15 pages. Contact us for a precise schedule tailored to your HR constraints.
Urgent HR translation in Brussels?
Our FR/NL/EN translators specialising in Brussels labour law deliver within 24h. Free quote, reply in under one hour.