The Portuguese community is strongly present in Belgium. For your Portuguese documents, here is when a translation is necessary, when European law lets you avoid it, and how to handle diplomas and procedures.
📖 See also: Portuguese 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 and allows you to attach a multilingual standard form, requested from the conservatória do registo civil. This form often avoids a sworn translation: request it before placing any order.
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A Portuguese 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 Portuguese-French or Portuguese-Dutch sworn translation generally remains required for:
- Diplomas and transcripts for an equivalence or a job.
- Court judgments and notarial deeds: divorce, inheritance, marriage contract.
- Documents requested in Dutch by a Flemish administration.
- Cartão de cidadão and older records without a multilingual form.
The target language depending on the region
Your Portuguese 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 conservatória for civil status records, then confirm with the Belgian administration whether it is satisfied with it or requires a sworn translation.
Portuguese diplomas and recognition
To study or practise a profession in Belgium, a Portuguese 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 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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese 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 Portuguese-Belgian procedure?
Express available for your Portuguese documents. Sworn translation ready for the Belgian administration.