Ukrainian-French Translation in Antwerp: Complete Guide

Need a Ukrainian-French or Ukrainian-Dutch translation in Antwerp? Since 2022, Antwerp has welcomed thousands of Ukrainian refugees and temporary protection holders. This guide explains which documents require certified translation, where to submit them, and how to obtain a sworn translation quickly — without leaving home.

Ukrainian community in Antwerp: key institutions

Antwerp hosts one of the largest Ukrainian communities in Flanders. Ukrainian nationals arriving under temporary protection (TPV) interact with several local bodies: CPAS Antwerp (OCMW) for social assistance, the Dienst Burgerzaken of each municipality (Borgerhout, Berchem, Merksem…) for residence registration, and FEDASIL reception centres for initial accommodation. All official documents submitted to these bodies must be in Dutch or French — a sworn translation is therefore mandatory for Ukrainian originals.

The Port of Antwerp also attracts Ukrainian maritime and logistics professionals whose diplomas, contracts and qualifications frequently require certified translation for recognition by Flemish employers or professional bodies such as VDAB.

Documents most commonly translated from Ukrainian in Antwerp

• Birth certificates (for children enrolled in Antwerp schools)
• Marriage certificates (for family reunification or civil registration)
• Ukrainian passports and identity documents (for residence registration)
• Diplomas and academic transcripts (for NARIC Flanders recognition)
• Medical records and vaccination booklets
• Criminal record extracts (for work or residence permits)
• Powers of attorney and notarial documents

Procedure: how to get a certified Ukrainian translation in Antwerp

For any document in Cyrillic script, a sworn translator registered with a Belgian Court of Appeal is required. The process is straightforward:

1. Photograph or scan your Ukrainian document (both sides if applicable).
2. Submit it online via TranslateBE — you receive a fixed quote within one hour.
3. Once confirmed, your certified translation is delivered by email within 24–48 hours.
4. If a physical stamp is required (some municipalities), a hard copy can be posted.

The Antwerp municipalities (Borgerhout, Berchem, Ekeren…) accept translations produced by sworn translators registered anywhere in Belgium, as long as the document bears the translator's signature, official stamp and court registration number.

Frequently asked questions

Does CPAS Antwerp accept Ukrainian documents in the original?

No. CPAS Antwerp (OCMW Antwerpen) requires all foreign-language documents to be accompanied by a certified Dutch or French translation. Ukrainian documents in Cyrillic script are no exception. A sworn translation produced by a Belgian certified translator is the recognised standard.

Can Ukrainian students at Antwerp universities use online translations?

Yes. Universities such as UAntwerp and Antwerp Management School, as well as NARIC Flanders for diploma recognition, accept certified translations regardless of whether they were ordered online or via a physical office — what matters is the sworn status of the translator.

How long does a Ukrainian-Dutch translation take for Antwerp?

A standard civil document (birth certificate, marriage certificate) takes 2–3 business days; express delivery is available within 24 hours. Larger files (full diploma dossiers, medical records) are typically delivered within 3–5 business days.