Do you have Spanish documents to use in Belgium? As Spain and Belgium are in the EU, many formalities are simplified. Here is when a translation is necessary, when you can avoid it, and how to handle diplomas and procedures.
📖 See also: Spanish translation in Belgium · diploma recognition · documents for immigration
European law simplifies your formalities
The European Regulation 2016/1191 abolishes the apostille between member states for many civil status records (birth, marriage, death) and allows you to attach a multilingual standard form, requested from the Spanish registro civil. This form often avoids a sworn translation. Request it before placing any order.
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A Spanish document to use in Belgium?
We first check whether a translation is necessary, and produce it if so. Quote within 1 hour.
When a translation is still necessary
The multilingual form does not cover everything. A Spanish-French or Spanish-Dutch sworn translation generally remains required for:
- Diplomas and transcripts (título, certificado) for an equivalence.
- Court judgments and notarial deeds: divorce, inheritance, marriage contract.
- Documents requested in Dutch by a Flemish administration.
- Libro de familia and older records without a multilingual form.
The target language depending on the region
Your Spanish documents will have to be translated into French (Wallonia, Brussels) or Dutch (Flanders) depending on the recipient. Always confirm the expected language before ordering.
The reflex to have: request the multilingual form from the registro civil for civil status records, then confirm with the Belgian administration whether it is satisfied with it or requires a sworn translation.
Spanish diplomas and recognition
To study or practise a profession in Belgium, a Spanish diploma goes through an equivalence procedure. The diploma and transcript generally have to be translated. See our guide to diploma recognition and equivalence.
How to proceed
- Identify the procedure and the region (target language).
- Request the multilingual form from the registro civil for civil status.
- Confirm the need for translation with the Belgian recipient.
- Entrust the sworn translation to a sworn translator if it is required.
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No unnecessary translation, accepted file
We check what the multilingual form covers and translate only what is necessary.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does a Spanish birth certificate have to be translated?
Often not if you provide the European multilingual form and the administration is French-speaking. For a Flemish service, a translation into Dutch may be required.
Does a Spanish document need to be apostilled for Belgium?
No for civil status records between EU states (Regulation 2016/1191). For other documents, check case by case.
And a Spanish diploma?
It is not covered by the regulation: plan for a translation as part of an equivalence. See the guide to diplomas.
Into which language should I translate?
French or Dutch depending on the region and the service. Ask for the target language before ordering.
Urgent Spanish-Belgian procedure?
Express available for your Spanish documents. Sworn translation ready for the Belgian administration.