You’re back from Poland after an accident, you’ve filed your documents with your CASCO insurer - and you get a rejection. The reason: a Polish police report with no Ukrainian translation. The person in line behind you got the same rejection because they had a translation but no notary certification. Figuring out exactly what’s needed costs you a week and a lot of stress. Here’s a clear breakdown of what to translate, how to certify it, and how to get your insurance payout without going back and forth.
When you need a translation - and when you don’t¶
Short answer: it depends on who’s submitting documents to whom.
Scenario 1 - you’re claiming from YOUR insurer (CASCO or MTSBU).
If you have CASCO and your car was damaged - you’re filing with your Ukrainian insurer. They work in Ukrainian, so a foreign police report needs to be translated into Ukrainian with notarial certification.
If you were the victim and want to claim through MTSBU under the Green Card - documents go to Ukrainian structures and translation is required.
Scenario 2 - you’re claiming from a FOREIGN insurer.
If the other driver caused the accident and has a local policy, their insurer is foreign. They wrote the police report in their own language - they don’t need it translated. But: if that same insurer asks for your documents (Green Card, driving license, vehicle registration) - those need to be translated into their language.
Scenario 3 - court case or a large claim.
If it goes to court - everything needs translation, and certification requirements are stricter: a sworn translator or a notary with official standing in that country.
What specifically needs to be translated after an accident¶
Several documents may land in your hands after a foreign accident. Not all of them require translation.
Always translate:
- Police report (protocol) - the key document. Without a translated version, your insurer won’t process the claim. Usually 1-3 pages, sometimes more if there are injuries or complex circumstances
- Damage assessment report from a local expert or repair shop - if you had repairs done there and want reimbursement
- Repair invoices - if repairs were done and you want the money back
- Medical documents - hospital discharge summaries, bills, doctor’s notes - if you were injured and claiming compensation for health damages
Usually don’t need to translate:
- The European Accident Statement (Constat amiable) - details on this below
- Photos from the accident scene
- Your own Ukrainian documents when submitting to your own insurer
Ask your insurer about:
- Correspondence with the foreign insurer (if there was any)
- The foreign insurer’s decision letter on payout or refusal
Practical tip: right after the accident, photograph EVERYTHING - the protocol, the European Accident Statement, the other driver’s license, their insurance card. If you lose the original and need a duplicate from a foreign police station, that takes weeks.
The European Accident Statement - a special case¶
When there’s no injury and drivers agree to handle it without police, both parties fill out a European Accident Statement (EAS) - known as constat amiable in French.
This is a standardized form with the same structure in 22 EU languages. Same fields, same layout - every insurer understands their own language version without needing a translation. Here’s how it works:
- You fill in your section in a language you understand (Ukrainian is fine)
- The other driver fills in their section in their language
- Both sign the same form - each party takes a copy
- Each party submits their copy to THEIR OWN insurer
Your Ukrainian insurer will receive a copy and can understand the fields from the standard layout without translation.
Catch: some Ukrainian insurers in practice ask for a translation of the EAS anyway, just for the file. If that happens - one page translated and notarially certified runs about 200-300 UAH, sorted in a day.
Important distinction: the EAS is an agreement between drivers, with no police involved. If police came and wrote an official report - that’s a completely separate document with no shortcuts. That one needs full translation.
Certification requirements by country¶
This is where most confusion happens. “Notarially certified translation” doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere.
Poland¶
For submitting documents to a Polish insurer or PBUK (the Polish Motor Insurers’ Bureau) - the most reliable option for your Ukrainian documents is a tłumacz przysięgły (Polish sworn translator). They’ve passed an exam with Poland’s Ministry of Justice and can certify translations with their own stamp - no separate notary needed.
The official list of sworn translators is at the Polish Ministry of Justice portal - search for “ukraiński” in the language filter. Most of them work online: send a scan, receive a certified translation by mail.
A notarially certified translation from a Ukrainian bureau is theoretically also acceptable - but in practice, part of the Polish insurance industry specifically wants tłumacz przysięgły for significant payouts. If the amount is large, don’t gamble.
Cost: 80-130 PLN (~$20-30) per page.
Germany¶
For submitting to a Versicherung (insurer) or making an official claim - you need a beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified translation) from a vereidigter or beeidigter Übersetzer (court-sworn translator registered with the Landgericht).
More detail on Germany’s translation requirements is in our guide on beglaubigte Übersetzung. The short version: a regular notary isn’t enough - you need a translator registered with the court.
Per Auswärtiges Amt requirements:
Dokumente, die nicht in deutscher Sprache verfasst sind, müssen in amtlich beglaubigter Übersetzung vorgelegt werden.
Translation: any document not in German must be submitted with an officially certified translation. The registry of sworn translators: justiz-dolmetscher.de - search for “Ukrainisch”.
Cost: 30-60 EUR per page (certification is included in that price).
France and Belgium¶
For French insurers - traduction assermentée (sworn translation) by a traducteur assermenté (officially appointed translator at the appeals court). Registry: annuaire-experts.fr.
Cost: 40-80 EUR per page.
United Kingdom¶
UK insurers typically accept a certified translation - a signed statement from the translator confirming the translation’s accuracy. A separate notary isn’t required, but the translator’s credentials and signature are mandatory. If the case goes to court, requirements get stricter.
Cost: £40-80 per page.
Other EU countries (Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia)¶
For insurance claims, a notarially certified translation from a Ukrainian bureau is generally enough. If the case goes to court - check local sworn translator requirements separately.
Cost in Ukraine: 350-750 UAH per page (translation + notary).
Country comparison table¶
| Country | Certification type | Who does it | Cost per page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | Sworn translation | Tłumacz przysięgły | 80-130 PLN (~$20-30) |
| Germany | Beglaubigte Übersetzung | Vereidigter Übersetzer | 30-60 EUR |
| France / Belgium | Traduction assermentée | Traducteur assermenté | 40-80 EUR |
| United Kingdom | Certified translation | Certified translator | £40-80 |
| Czech Rep. / Austria / Hungary | Notarially certified | Bureau + notary | 350-750 UAH |
| For Ukrainian CASCO / MTSBU | Notarially certified | Bureau + notary | 350-750 UAH |
Three ways to get your translation done¶
Option 1: Ukrainian translation bureau + notary¶
The standard route when you’re already back in Ukraine and filing with your CASCO insurer or through MTSBU. You bring or send a scan of the protocol - the bureau translates, then a notary certifies the translator’s signature.
Pros: familiar process, wide choice of bureaus, accepted by all Ukrainian insurers.
Cons: you need to come in person or arrange a courier. Some bureaus have an in-house notary (one visit), others require two separate stops.
Approximate prices (2025-2026):
| Language pair | Translation | Notary | Total | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polish → Ukrainian | 200-350 UAH/pg | 200-250 UAH | 400-600 UAH | 1-2 days |
| German → Ukrainian | 200-350 UAH/pg | 200-250 UAH | 400-600 UAH | 1-2 days |
| French → Ukrainian | 250-400 UAH/pg | 200-250 UAH | 450-650 UAH | 1-3 days |
| English → Ukrainian | 180-300 UAH/pg | 200-250 UAH | 380-550 UAH | 1-2 days |
| Ukrainian → Polish | 200-350 UAH/pg | 200-250 UAH | 400-600 UAH | 1-2 days |
| Ukrainian → German | 200-350 UAH/pg | 200-250 UAH | 400-600 UAH | 1-2 days |
Kyiv prices can be 20-30% higher, regional cities lower. Rush service (same day): +30-50%.
Option 2: Sworn translator in the country where the accident happened¶
If you need maximum reliability for a foreign insurer or the case is going to court - find a sworn translator from that country. Most of them work online: send a scan, receive a certified translation by mail - no travel required.
Pros: maximum reliability for that country’s insurers and courts. No separate notary needed.
Cons: more expensive than a Ukrainian bureau. You need to find a translator with the right language pair (Ukrainian-Polish, Ukrainian-German).
Where to find them: - Poland: ms.gov.pl/pl/rejestry-i-ewidencje/tlumacze-przysiegli - filter “ukraiński” - Germany: justiz-dolmetscher.de - filter “Ukrainisch”
Option 3: Online service¶
If you’re still abroad or simply don’t have time to go to a bureau - you can order online. Send a quality scan of the protocol, get the translation electronically, and the certified hard copy arrives by courier.
A service like ChatsControl lets you upload a scan, get a translation with quality checking, and order notarial certification without going to an office in person. The completed certified document is couriered to your address. Works well for CASCO or MTSBU claims when you’re already back in Ukraine.
Pros: convenient if you’re still abroad or have no time. A scan is enough.
Cons: courier-based notarial certification adds a bit of time compared to showing up in person. If the document is heavily degraded or handwritten, an in-person bureau visit is better.
Comparison table¶
| Factor | Bureau + notary | Sworn translator (abroad) | Online service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnaround | 1-3 days | 2-5 days (mail) | 1-4 days |
| Cost (1 page) | 350-600 UAH | 80-130 PLN / 30-60 EUR | ~350-600 UAH |
| Reliability for EU insurer | Medium | High | Medium |
| Reliability for Ukrainian insurer | High | High | High |
| In-person required | Yes (or courier) | No | No |
| Works for court cases | Only with notary | Yes | Only with notary |
Step-by-step guide: from accident to payout¶
Step 1: At the accident scene¶
- Photograph all documents produced at the scene (police report, European Accident Statement, any police reference) - these are your future originals for translation
- Request your copy of the police report - under EU rules you have the right to a copy
- Note the other driver’s insurer: company name, policy number, contact number
- If you don’t understand the document’s language - don’t sign silently. Write on the document (even in Ukrainian): “Signing under duress, I don’t understand this document’s language”
- Notify your insurer or MTSBU within 15 days - even a phone call counts
As MTSBU states in their guidelines:
The driver must… photograph all documents drawn up at the scene… and notify their insurance company or MTSBU.
Failing to notify in time can give your insurer legal grounds to deny the claim entirely.
Step 2: Figure out which insurer is handling the claim¶
- Your Ukrainian CASCO insurer → translate foreign documents into Ukrainian
- MTSBU under Green Card → same, translate into Ukrainian
- Foreign insurer of the other driver → they work in their language. But your Ukrainian documents - translate into their language
- PBUK or equivalent national bureau → check that specific bureau’s requirements
Step 3: Order translation and certification¶
Determine the language pair and certification type needed (see the table above). A standard 1-2 page police report costs 700-1500 UAH with notarial certification in Ukraine.
Step 4: Assemble the full package¶
Standard package for Ukrainian CASCO insurer: - Claim application (insurer’s form) - Copy of driving license - Vehicle registration (techpassport) - Police report or European Accident Statement with translation and certification - Repair invoice + translation (if repaired abroad) - Copy of Green Card
Step 5: Submit and track¶
Submit the package, get a case number, ask about timelines. Most insurers are required to give a decision within 30 days. If they reject your claim - the reason must be given in writing, and you have the right to appeal.
Common mistakes and edge cases¶
Mistake 1: Translation without notarial certification
Bringing “just a translation” from a bureau without a notary certifying the translator’s signature. Most insurers reject these for official claims. The notarial stamp is not optional.
Mistake 2: Google Translate or self-translation
Machine-generated or self-done translations have no legal standing for insurance purposes. The insurer has every right to reject them - and routinely does.
Mistake 3: Wrong certification type for the specific country
A notarially certified translation from Ukraine may not fly with a Polish insurer - they want tłumacz przysięgły. One phone call to the insurer upfront saves a week of rework.
Mistake 4: Missing the 15-day notification window
Notifying your insurer of the accident and submitting your full document package are two separate things. Notification: 15 days (a phone call is enough). Documents: you can submit later - but get that initial notification in first.
Mistake 5: Handing over the original protocol
Keep the original for yourself. The insurer gets a notarially certified copy or a certified translation. If someone insists on the original - ask for a written receipt with a stamp.
Edge case: Accident with injuries
If anyone was injured, the document package is significantly larger: hospital discharge summaries, bills, medical certificates, doctor’s reports. All of it needs translation and certification. In these cases, legal advice is strongly recommended - the stakes are higher and every document matters.
As one user wrote in a Ukrainian expat Facebook group:
I had a minor fender-bender in Warsaw. The Polish insurer ended up asking for a translation of my Green Card and vehicle registration. I found a sworn translator online - the certified translation arrived by mail in 3 days. Payout came a month later.
This is typical - even minor accidents can require translations of your documents for the foreign insurer.
Edge case: Accident in a country outside the Green Card system
The Green Card is valid in 44 countries - mostly Europe plus some others. If you’re outside that system, MTSBU mechanisms don’t apply and you’ll need local legal help.
Edge case: Multi-country transit accident
If you’re transiting through several countries and the accident happens in country three - the rules of that country apply regardless of where you ultimately file. Certification requirements are also those of the country where the accident happened.
Document checklist for insurance submission¶
| Document | Original | Translation needed | Notarial certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police report | Copy (keep original) | Yes | Yes |
| European Accident Statement (if no police) | Copy | Usually no | Usually no |
| Repair invoice (if applicable) | Copy | Yes | Yes |
| Medical documents (if injuries) | Copy | Yes | Yes |
| Your driving license | Copy | Yes (if foreign insurer requests) | Ask insurer |
| Green Card | Copy | No | No |
| Vehicle registration | Copy | Yes (if foreign insurer requests) | Ask insurer |
FAQ¶
Do you need to translate an accident report for an insurance claim?¶
It depends. Filing with your Ukrainian CASCO insurer: yes, translate the foreign report into Ukrainian with notarial certification. Receiving a payout from a foreign insurer: no, they read their own language. But if that foreign insurer requests your Ukrainian documents - yes, those need translation.
What certified translation does MTSBU accept?¶
MTSBU accepts notarially certified translation - translator signs, notary certifies the signature. For large sums or complex cases, ask your case manager at MTSBU what they specifically need.
How much does translating an accident report cost?¶
Ukraine: 350-750 UAH per page (translation + notary). A typical police report is 1-2 pages, so 700-1500 UAH total. Poland with a sworn translator: 80-130 PLN (~$20-30) per page. Germany: 30-60 EUR per page. UK: £40-80 per page.
Do you need an apostille on a translated accident report?¶
Usually no. Apostilles are for government authorities, not insurers. A notarially certified translation is sufficient. The exception is if the case reaches court and the court specifically requires fully apostilled documents.
What if you signed the accident report without understanding the language?¶
If you signed, you’ve legally agreed to it. But writing on the document that you’re signing without understanding the language gives you a position to challenge it later. Get a translation done as soon as possible and talk to a lawyer before submitting anything to the insurer.
How long does the whole process take - translation to payout?¶
Translation and certification: 1-3 days. Claim processing: 30-90 days after submitting a complete package. Polish and German insurers are legally required to respond within set deadlines (typically 30 days from receiving a full package). Get the translations done early - every day matters.
Can you order a translation online if you’re still abroad?¶
Yes. Most Ukrainian bureaus accept scans or photos of documents. For notarial certification you’ll need to come in person after returning, or use courier delivery. Online platforms let you handle the whole thing remotely.
What if there’s an error in the police report - like a wrong name?¶
If you’re still in that country: go back to the police station where the report was filed and ask for a correction. After you’ve left it’s much harder. Minor errors (like a slightly off transliteration of an address) can be flagged by the translator in a note to the translation. Substantive errors (wrong determination of fault) - that’s a question for a lawyer.
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