Buying property abroad: document translation requirements by country

You found a flat for 120,000 euros in Spain, signed the reservation, you’re thrilled - and then the notary asks: “Where’s the traducción jurada of your marriage certificate?” And you’re standing there with no idea what that even is or where to get one. Meanwhile, someone in your expat chat bought an apartment in Turkey and says: “They translated everything right at the notary in an hour.” The difference between countries is massive. What works in Greece doesn’t work in Germany. What Portugal accepts, France will reject. Let’s break down exactly what you need where - with prices, translation types, and the traps nobody warns you about.

Why the country matters: three types of translation systems¶

Before diving into country-by-country details, here’s one thing you need to understand: Europe and beyond have fundamentally different systems for “official” translation. And the system determines everything - who’s allowed to translate, how much it costs, and how long it takes.

Sworn translation (Germany, Spain, France)¶

The translator takes an oath in court or gets accredited by a government ministry. Their signature and seal carry legal force without additional notarization. In Germany it’s a beeidigter Übersetzer, in Spain - traductor jurado, in France - traducteur assermenté.

Certified translation (Portugal, UAE, Greece)¶

The translation is certified by a translator with the appropriate license or registration, but without a court oath. In Greece, for example, lawyers with the relevant language skills can do official translations.

Notarized translation (Turkey, Italy)¶

The translator does the translation, then a notary certifies it. In Turkey it’s yeminli tercüme + noter onayı. In Italy they use asseverazione - the translator swears in court that the translation is accurate.

The type of system determines the price, timelines, and even whether you’ll find a translator for your language pair at all. For example, Spain has only about 4 registered sworn Ukrainian translators - so translations from Ukrainian cost more and need to be ordered well in advance.

Comparison table: translation requirements by country¶

Here’s the big picture - everything in one place. Save this table, it’ll save you hours of googling.

Country	Translation type	Cost per page	Interpreter at signing	Total translation budget
Germany	Beglaubigte Übersetzung (sworn)	EUR 40-80	EUR 390-590 (no written translation), EUR 900-1,500 (with translation)	EUR 1,000-2,000+
Spain	Traducción jurada (sworn)	EUR 30-60	Included or separate	EUR 500-800
France	Traduction assermentée (sworn)	EUR 200-800 per document	EUR 200-300+	EUR 500-1,500
Italy	Asseverazione / bilingual deed	EUR 200-350+ VAT	EUR 500-1,000 (cash!)	EUR 1,000-3,000
Turkey	Yeminli tercüme (sworn + notary)	TL 300-850 (~EUR 10-25)	Included in notary fee	~TL 6,500 for power of attorney (~EUR 190)
Portugal	Certified translation	varies	EUR 100-500 total	EUR 100-500
Greece	Certified translation	EUR 15-25 + 24% VAT	Can be informal (friend/relative)	EUR 100-300
UAE	MOJ-certified translation	from AED 25 (~EUR 6)	Not required	from AED 250 for attestation

As you can see, the spread is huge. In Greece you can get away with EUR 100-300 on translations, while in Germany or Italy you could easily spend EUR 2,000-3,000 just on translation and the interpreter at signing.

Germany: the strictest requirements¶

Buying a flat in Berlin or Munich? Get ready for the fact that Germany won’t accept anything other than beglaubigte Übersetzung - a translation by a sworn translator who’s taken an oath in a German court and is registered in the justiz-dolmetscher.de database.

How the signing works¶

The notary reads the entire Kaufvertrag (purchase contract) aloud - cover to cover, first page to last. If you don’t understand German, a sworn interpreter (beeidigter Dolmetscher) MUST be present at the signing. They translate consecutively, section by section. This is a legal requirement - § 16 BeurkG obliges the notary to make sure all parties fully understand the contract.

As noted by the law firm Zaenker & Kollegen:

Der Notar ist verpflichtet, die Identität und Geschäftsfähigkeit der Beteiligten festzustellen und sicherzustellen, dass alle Parteien den Inhalt der Urkunde verstehen.

In plain English: the notary must make sure you understand every word of the contract. If you show up without an interpreter, the signing simply won’t happen.

What it costs¶

According to Shop-Translation.de, prices for a sworn interpreter at a notary signing:

• Oral interpretation without written document translation: EUR 390-590 (2-hour signing - EUR 490, 3-hour - EUR 590)
• Oral interpretation + written Kaufvertrag translation: EUR 900-1,500
• Translation of individual documents: EUR 40-80 per page

The interpreter needs to receive the Kaufvertrag text at least 4 working days before the signing. The notary appointment itself needs to be booked 7+ working days in advance.

More details on translation for buying property in Germany.

Spain: sworn translation through the Ministry¶

The Spanish system is similar to Germany’s, but with one twist: traducción jurada can only be done by a translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). More about the system in our article on traducción jurada.

Documents for the notary¶

Everything you submit to the Spanish notary, land registry, or bank must be translated by a sworn translator. This includes:

• Financial documents for a mortgage
• Power of attorney (if buying through a representative)
• ID documents
• All documents from Ukraine must have an apostille

Prices¶

According to TraduccionOficial.es:

• Sworn translation per page (up to 250 words): EUR 30-60
• Minimum fee per document: EUR 50-60 + VAT
• Full package for a property deal: EUR 500-800

The Ukrainian problem: Spain has only about 4 registered sworn Ukrainian translators. That means Ukrainian translations cost more than English or Russian ones, and you need to order well in advance.

Total transaction costs (on top of the property price): 10-15% - taxes, notary, lawyer, registration.

More details on translation for buying property in Spain.

France: watch out for the notary¶

In France, sworn translation is done by a traducteur assermenté - a translator registered with the Court of Appeal (Cour d’appel). More about the system in our article on traduction assermentée.

The main trap¶

French notaries (notaire) are legally required to make sure all parties understand the contract. But here’s what French-Property.com reports:

Some notaires seem to consider that they are entitled to make a profit out of the use of a translator.

There are documented cases where a notary charged EUR 1,000 for one hour of oral interpretation - without any written document translation. And demanded cash payment with no receipt. After a complaint, the price was reduced to EUR 800.

How to protect yourself¶

• You have the right to bring your own interpreter to the signing. Some notaries insist on court-approved translators only, but legally it’s not required
• Agree on the interpreter’s fee BEFORE the signing
• Ask for a proper invoice (facture) - cash payment without paperwork is illegal

Prices¶

• Sworn document translation: EUR 200-800 (depends on volume and complexity)
• Interpreter at signing: EUR 200-300+
• Full package: EUR 500-1,500

More details on translation for buying property in France.

Italy: bring cash¶

Italy’s system is different from everyone else’s. Here they use asseverazione - the translator swears in court that their translation is accurate and complete. Or the notary prepares a bilingual deed. More about this in our article on asseverazione.

At the signing¶

During the rogito (final signing), the notary decides whether an interpreter is needed. If they are, the interpreter translates the entire proceedings and co-signs the deed.

As users write on Expat.com:

Hiring a translator independently is much cheaper than their fee through agencies. Agencies have been reported to overcharge for services like codice fiscale acquisition, which is actually free.

So hire your own translator, not through an agency. Agencies in Italy are known for charging money for things that are actually free (like getting a Codice Fiscale).

Prices¶

• Translation and interpreter: EUR 500-1,000 (cash, on the spot!)
• Full bilingual deed: EUR 1,500-3,000
• Total legal and translation costs: EUR 1,000-3,000

Tip: in Italy, the interpreter at the signing often demands cash payment right there on the spot. Be prepared - bring cash with you.

More details on translation for buying property in Italy.

Turkey: cheapest, but with caveats¶

Turkey is the most popular country among Ukrainians for buying property (after Poland). And it’s where translation costs the least. The system works like this: yeminli tercüme (sworn translation) + noter onayı (notary certification). More details in our article on yeminli tercüme.

Documents¶

• Passport - must be officially translated into Turkish and notarized
• Power of attorney (vekaletname) - if buying through a representative
• Financial documents
• Mandatory property appraisal from an SPK-licensed appraiser

Prices¶

According to Ay Tercüme (2025-2026):

• Passport translation (with notary certification): ~TL 1,000 per person
• Sworn translation of a document: TL 300-850 (~EUR 10-25)
• Power of attorney (notary fee + sworn interpreter): ~TL 6,500 (~EUR 190)

Compare that with Germany, where just the oral interpretation at a signing costs EUR 400-600. In Turkey, that money covers ALL your documents.

More details on buying property in Turkey.

Portugal: the simplest system¶

Portugal stands out for its simplicity. You need a certified translation into Portuguese, but requirements are less strict than in other EU countries.

What to translate¶

• Purchase contracts
• Financial documents
• Documents for NIF (tax number)
• Power of attorney (if appointing a fiscal representative)

At the signing¶

The final deed (Escritura Pública de Compra e Venda) is read aloud in Portuguese. If you don’t understand the language, you need an interpreter. But the qualification requirements for the interpreter are less strict than in Germany or France.

Prices¶

• Translation and legal certification of documents: EUR 100-500
• Notary authentication: EUR 150-600
• Total additional costs: IMT (transfer tax) 1-8% + stamp duty 0.8%

More details on translation for buying property in Portugal.

Greece: your interpreter can be a friend¶

Greece has one unique feature: at the notary signing, the oral interpreter does NOT have to be certified - it can be a friend, relative, or acquaintance who knows both languages. They co-sign the deed with you.

But for document translation, only three categories are accepted:

• Certified translators from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs registry (metafraseis.services.gov.gr)
• Greek lawyers with the relevant language skills
• Graduates of the Ionian University’s translation department

Important detail: in Greece, the apostille must be done BEFORE translation, not after. Do it the other way around and you’ll have to start over.

Prices¶

• Document translation: EUR 15-25 per page + 24% VAT
• Total translation costs: EUR 100-300

That’s the lowest price among all EU countries. If you need a preliminary translation of documents for understanding or deal preparation, ChatsControl can translate them online in minutes.

More details on buying property in Greece.

UAE (Dubai): attestation instead of apostille¶

The UAE has its own system. The Hague Convention doesn’t apply here, so instead of an apostille you need attestation - a long chain of certifications.

The attestation chain¶

1. Notarization in Ukraine
2. Attestation by the UAE embassy in Ukraine
3. Attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
4. Official translation into Arabic by a MOJ-certified (Ministry of Justice) translator

Documents¶

• Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA)
• Title Deeds
• Power of Attorney - mandatory if you’re not in the UAE
• Tenancy contracts (Ejari agreements)

Prices¶

According to Dar Al Bayan Translation:

• MOJ-certified translation: from AED 25 per page (~EUR 6)
• MOFA attestation: from AED 250 (~EUR 68) with collection and delivery
• Processing time: 0-3 business days

Plus: there are no restrictions on foreign ownership in UAE freehold zones. The process is relatively fast compared to Europe.

10 mistakes Ukrainians make when buying property abroad¶

On expat forums and in Ukrainian expat chats, the same mistakes come up year after year:

1. Signing documents they don’t understand. In Germany this can’t happen (the notary will stop the signing), but in France or Italy it does. Never sign anything you haven’t read in translation
2. Using a non-certified translator. In Germany and Spain, only sworn translators are accepted. A regular translation = documents rejected
3. Getting the apostille/translation order wrong. In Greece, the apostille goes BEFORE translation. In Turkey too. Do it backwards and you start over
4. Not budgeting for translation. EUR 500-3,000 on translations can be a nasty surprise. Always include this in your total purchase budget
5. Relying on the seller’s or agent’s translator. On Expat.com, people constantly write: “Hire YOUR OWN translator, not the one the realtor suggests”
6. Errors in legal terminology. One wrong word (“easement,” “encumbrance”) can change property access rights and lead to legal disputes
7. Not prepared for cash payments. In France and Italy, interpreters at signings may demand cash with no receipt. Bring cash
8. Too few sworn Ukrainian translators. In Spain there are only 4. Order your translation weeks, not days, in advance
9. Not sending documents to the interpreter early enough. In Germany, the interpreter needs the Kaufvertrag at least 4 working days before. Without preparation, they won’t show up
10. Assuming English will work. In Germany, the notary won’t accept an English-language Kaufvertrag. Only the German-language document is legally binding

Documents you’ll need translated: universal checklist¶

Regardless of the country, buying property usually requires translating:

Document	When needed	Notes
Passport	Always	In most EU countries, sufficient as-is (data in Latin script). In Turkey, Turkish translation required
Marriage certificate	Buying with a partner	Apostille + translation into the country’s language
Power of attorney	Buying through a representative	Apostille + translation. In some countries, can be done through the consulate
Income certificate	Proving the source of funds	Translation mandatory or recommended (depends on the country)
Bank statement	Proving available funds	Translation recommended
Purchase contract	Signing the deal	Usually prepared by the notary in the local language. You need a translation for understanding
Tax documents	Obtaining a tax number	Depends on the country

For preliminary document translations - to understand the content before signing or prepare a package for your lawyer - you can use ChatsControl. For official documents with legal force, you’ll need a certified translation from a certified translator in the relevant country.

If you’re renting before buying, check our comparison of rental document requirements by country. And for translating income certificates for renting in the EU, there’s a separate article.

FAQ¶

How much does document translation cost for buying property abroad?¶

From EUR 100 to 3,000 - depending on the country. Cheapest in Greece (EUR 100-300) and Turkey (~EUR 190 for a power of attorney). Most expensive in Italy (EUR 1,000-3,000, including the interpreter at signing) and Germany (EUR 1,000-2,000+). Always factor these costs into your total purchase budget.

Can you use the same translation for different countries?¶

No. Each country only recognizes translations done by translators within its own system. A sworn translation done in Germany won’t be recognized in Spain - and vice versa. Exception: the apostille is done once in Ukraine and recognized in all Hague Convention member countries.

Do you need an interpreter at the notary signing?¶

In Germany - mandatory (required by § 16 BeurkG). In France, the notary will insist on an interpreter, but you can bring your own. In Spain and Portugal - as needed. In Greece, the interpreter can even be a friend who knows both languages. In Turkey, the interpreter is already included in the notary process.

What’s the correct order: apostille first or translation first?¶

In most countries, the correct order is: apostille in Ukraine first, then translation. This is especially important for Greece and Turkey, where the wrong order means starting all over again. The apostille is issued by the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice - you can’t get it done abroad.

Do some countries accept documents in English without translation?¶

In Germany - no, German only. In Portugal, some banks accept English. In the UAE, English is partially accepted, but property registration requires Arabic translation. In Greece, English is sometimes accepted for AFM (tax number), but the notary requires Greek only. The safe bet: always translate into the country’s language.