Which EU Countries Accept English Documents Without Translation

You’re moving to the Netherlands and you have a diploma from a British university - written only in English. Do you need to translate it? No - IND will accept it as-is. But if that same diploma is in Ukrainian, you still need a translation - just into English rather than Dutch.

That’s the whole trick here: “accepting English documents” doesn’t mean “any document without translation.” It means documents already written in English don’t need translation. If your document is in Ukrainian, translation is required regardless - the only question is which target language.

Let’s go through the EU country by country: where English actually saves you from extra translation work, where it helps partially, and where it won’t help at all.

Why there’s no single EU rule on document language¶

The EU regulates a lot of things jointly, but language policy for official documents is strictly national. Each member state decides on its own which language (or languages) it accepts from applicants.

The logic is straightforward.

First: civil servant competence. If the official reviewing your application can’t read the document without a translator, they simply can’t process it. Countries typically allow only the languages their staff actually read.

Second: legal accountability. Countries that require sworn translation shift formal responsibility for accuracy onto a licensed translator. Allowing any language means giving up that control.

The exception is countries where English proficiency among civil servants is high enough that official English-language communication is routine. That’s primarily the Netherlands and Scandinavia, where over 90% of the population reads and speaks English fluently.

Ireland and Malta: where English is an official language¶

These are the two obvious cases. Both countries have English as an official language by constitution, so English documents are accepted by default.

Ireland¶

Ireland has two official languages: Irish (Gaeilge) and English. In practice, all government administration runs in English. Irish Immigration Service accepts all documents in English without translation.

One important caveat: if you’re submitting a document issued abroad, apostille or legalisation may still be required depending on the issuing country. Ireland is a signatory to the 1961 Hague Convention, so an apostille affixed in Ukraine is recognised. But translating a document that’s already in English - not needed.

Another notable feature: Ireland is one of few EU countries with no mandatory language test for naturalisation. English proficiency is demonstrated through work, education, or other evidence rather than a formal exam.

Malta¶

Malta’s constitution recognises both Maltese and English as official languages. Identita (Malta’s identity and citizenship service) and the immigration authority accept documents in either language.

If your document isn’t in Maltese or English, you need an official translation into one of the two. A common Maltese practice for specific residency cases: lawyers translate and certify documents together with a notary.

Practical note for those considering Malta: the English-language environment plus relatively accessible residency conditions make it one of the more attractive EU entry points for people whose documents are already in English.

The Netherlands: officially four accepted languages¶

The Netherlands is a standout case. IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst - the immigration and naturalisation service) has officially established that documents are accepted in four languages: Dutch, English, French, and German.

Documents in any other language (including Ukrainian, Polish, Spanish, Arabic) must be translated into one of those four. The choice of translation language is yours - you can choose English rather than Dutch.

What this looks like in practice:

• Diploma from a British or American university in English only - submit without translation
• Employment contract from an international company in English - also without translation
• Diploma from a Ukrainian university in Ukrainian - translation required, but you can translate into English (faster, cheaper, more translators available)
• Diploma in Polish - also needs translation into one of the four

As IND states in its official instructions:

Foreign official documents must be legalised and translated if they are not written in Dutch, English, French or German.

The choice of target language is yours - most people choose English since it’s faster and cheaper to find qualified translators for.

Apostille remains a separate requirement. It confirms a document’s authenticity and may be mandatory regardless of the document’s language. Apostille and translation are parallel, independent requirements.

Practical detail: in the Netherlands, an official translator (beëdigd vertaler - “sworn translator”) registers through the court (Rechtbank). Translations from such a translator are recognised as official. For Ukrainian documents, you can commission an English translation from a certified translator - that’s sufficient for IND.

Sweden and Finland: two more English-accepting precedents¶

Sweden¶

Migrationsverket (the Swedish Migration Agency) sets a simple rule: documents are submitted in Swedish or English. A document in any other language must be translated into Swedish or English.

This applies to all permit types: residency, work, and study. Migrationsverket explicitly states the accepted languages, and English is one of them.

Practical upside: if your employment confirmation from an international company is in English only, or your university issued documents only in English - you can submit them directly in Sweden. No additional translation needed.

Finland¶

Migri (Finnish Immigration Service) sets three accepted languages: Finnish, Swedish, or English. A document in any other language must be translated into one of the three - and the translation must be done by an authorised translator (auktorisoitu kääntäjä in Finnish).

Migri states directly in its application instructions:

If documents attached to your application are written in a language other than Finnish, Swedish or English, you must have them translated by an authorised translator.

“Authorised” here means a specific official status - auktorisoitu kääntäjä (registered in the Finnish translator register). Migri doesn’t accept just any translation - only from officially authorised specialists.

For Ukrainian documents needing translation into English for Migri - the translator doesn’t have to be Finnish, but must have confirmed official status.

Denmark and Norway: conditional English acceptance¶

Denmark¶

Denmark is a more complex case. The official language is Danish, and Danish Immigration Service SIRI has no blanket “we accept English” rule.

But there’s a nuance: for certain work permit categories (Fast-track Scheme for highly skilled workers, IT specialist programs) SIRI does accept documents in English. For admission to Danish universities, documents for international students are often accepted in English too - but that’s university policy, not a state rule.

Advice: check the SIRI official site for your specific permit type and applicant category. There’s no general permission, but for specific pathways it exists.

Norway (EEA, not EU)¶

Norway isn’t an EU member but belongs to the European Economic Area. UDI (Utlendingsdirektoratet - the Directorate of Immigration) establishes: documents written in a language other than Norwegian or English must be translated into Norwegian or English by an authorised translator.

So Norway - like Sweden and Finland - officially accepts English. For Ukrainian documents: translating into English is sufficient, Norwegian translation isn’t required.

Where translation is always mandatory¶

This is the majority of the EU. Here, English won’t help you even with an Oxford diploma.

Germany¶

Any foreign document submitted to the Ausländerbehörde, BAMF, or a German university must be translated exclusively into German. The translator must be a vereidigter Übersetzer - a sworn translator who has taken an oath before a court and holds an official stamp with a registration number. A document translated into English or any other non-official language simply won’t be accepted.

Even a diploma from a British university issued in English - for the Ausländerbehörde it requires an official German translation with the signature and seal of a vereidigter Übersetzer. More on document translation requirements for Blue Card in Germany.

France¶

All immigration documents in France must be translated exclusively into French. The translator must be a traducteur assermenté entered in the official register of the cour d’appel (court of appeal). No flexibility on language.

Spain¶

Spain requires a Traductor Jurado - a sworn translator licensed by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Translation is always into Spanish. Some universities accept English documents for English-language programs, but that doesn’t apply to immigration documents.

Other countries requiring mandatory translation¶

Country	Translation language	Translator type
Austria	German	Allgemein beeideter Dolmetscher
Poland	Polish	Tłumacz przysięgły
Czech Republic	Czech	Soudní tlumočník
Romania	Romanian	Traducător autorizat
Hungary	Hungarian	Hites fordító
Portugal	Portuguese	Tradutor juramentado
Greece	Greek	Ορκωτός μεταφραστής
Belgium	Dutch/French/German by region	Depends on region
Luxembourg	French/German/Luxembourgish	Three official languages, no English

EU Regulation 2016/1191: what it actually changes¶

Since February 2019, Regulation 2016/1191 has been in force across the EU, aimed at simplifying the circulation of official documents between member states.

The key provision: for certain civil status documents, EU citizens can use a multilingual standard form (MSF) instead of a separate translation. An MSF is a standardised EU template covering all official languages of the Union at once.

As described in the EUR-Lex summary of the regulation:

The regulation abolishes the obligation to provide a translation of a public document when it is accompanied by a multilingual standard form. Translation may only be required in exceptional circumstances.

Documents covered by the regulation: - Birth certificates - Marriage and registered partnership certificates - Death certificates - Name change documents - Parenthood and adoption documents - Domicile and residence documents - Criminal record certificates

What the regulation does not cover: - Diplomas and academic credentials - Employment contracts and work confirmation letters - Medical records and health documents - Nationals of third countries (non-EU) - the regulation only operates between EU citizens

For most immigrants from Ukraine, this regulation provides no direct benefit - it’s designed for movement between member states and applies exclusively to EU citizens.

Full overview: which EU and EEA countries accept English¶

Country	Accepts English	Accepted languages	Notes
Ireland	Yes	Irish, English	Official languages
Malta	Yes	Maltese, English	Official languages
Netherlands	Yes	Dutch, English, French, German	Broadest accepted language list
Sweden	Yes	Swedish, English	Migrationsverket
Finland	Yes	Finnish, Swedish, English	Authorised translator required
Denmark	Partially	Danish (+ English for some)	Depends on permit type
Norway (EEA)	Yes	Norwegian, English	Not EU, but EEA
Cyprus	Limited	Greek (official)	English widely used in practice, but no official rule like Netherlands
Estonia	Limited	Estonian	Some procedures partially in English
Luxembourg	No	French, German, Luxembourgish	Three official languages, no English
Belgium	No	By region: Dutch/French/German	Different rules per region
All others	No	Only the country’s official language	-

Apostille and translation - two separate requirements¶

These concepts are often confused, so the distinction matters.

Apostille - a stamp or separate page that confirms a document’s authenticity: that it was issued by a legitimate authority and the signature is genuine. Governed by the 1961 Hague Convention. The apostille answers “is this document real?” - not “what does it say?”.

Translation - converting a document’s content into another language. Answers “what does it say?”.

Typical combinations in immigration procedures:

• Apostille + translation: the most common scenario. First apostille on the original in the issuing country, then translation (including the apostille text itself). Both are mandatory.
• Apostille only: when the document is already in a language accepted by the receiving country. For example: diploma in English, submitting to the Netherlands - apostille is enough, no translation needed.
• Translation only: in some countries and for some document types, under bilateral agreements.

Knowing the difference matters - so you don’t order unnecessary steps and don’t miss required ones.

What this means for Ukrainians specifically¶

Ukrainian documents are in Ukrainian (Cyrillic script). “Accepting English documents” means: if you have a document already written in English - it works without translation. But if your document is in Ukrainian, translation is required regardless - the only question is which target language.

Compare two relocation scenarios:

Moving to the Netherlands: you can translate your KPI diploma into English (more translators, often cheaper, easier to verify quality). No need to commission a Dutch translation.

Moving to Germany: translation only into German, only by a vereidigter Übersetzer. No alternatives.

That’s where the difference between “flexible” and “strict” countries becomes tangible - not in whether translation is needed, but in the target language and translator requirements.

One more practical difference: in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland, the translator qualification requirements are generally less rigid than in France or Spain. “Strict” countries require an oath before a court and an official seal. “Flexible” ones typically accept certification from a recognised organisation or registration in an official translator register.

For more on the difference between notarised, sworn, and certified translation across EU countries, see this guide.

Which documents are most commonly needed and how requirements differ by type¶

The same country may treat different document types differently - so it’s worth breaking this down.

University diploma¶

One of the most common documents in immigration procedures. In the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland - if a diploma was issued by an English-language university and is written only in English, you can submit it without translation. But watch out: diplomas often come with a Transcript of Records or Diploma Supplement, and that needs to be in an accepted language too. If the main diploma is in English but the supplement is in the university’s local language, you’ll need to translate the supplement.

Birth certificate¶

Essential for family-related procedures (family reunification, registering children). In English-accepting countries it can be submitted in English without translation - if it’s already in English. A birth certificate issued in Ukraine (always in Ukrainian) needs translation regardless. In the Netherlands, translating into English is fine; in Germany, it’s German only with a vereidigter Übersetzer.

One note: EU Regulation 2016/1191 does partially apply to birth certificates in the EU - but only for EU citizens. Ukrainian nationals aren’t covered.

Marriage certificate¶

Same logic as birth certificates. In flexible countries - if it’s already in English, it works without translation. A Ukrainian-issued marriage certificate needs translation. For the Netherlands, English is sufficient. For Germany or France, only the official country language.

Criminal record certificate¶

Frequently required in immigration procedures. In Ukraine, issued by the Ministry of Justice - always in Ukrainian. Requires translation in every country. But in flexible countries, translating into English is enough.

Medical records¶

Medical documents are a separate category. Most EU countries don’t require them for short-term permit procedures. But for long-term residency or family reunification they may be needed. Language requirements follow the same pattern: flexible countries accept English, strict ones require their official language only.

How to find a translator in English-accepting EU countries¶

If you’re moving to the Netherlands, Sweden, or Finland and need a Ukrainian-to-English translation of your documents, here are the practical options.

Official translator registries: the Netherlands maintains a registry of beëdigde vertalers (sworn translators) - available through the Raad voor Rechtsbijstand website. Sweden and Finland have equivalent registries. A translator from one of these is the most reliable option for official immigration procedures.

Online certified translation services: for Ukrainian documents, there are specialised online services with certified translators who know the Ukrainian-English language pair. Prioritise services where the translator holds confirmed official status or certification. Some online services, including ChatsControl, produce translations with a certified translator’s signature - a format accepted by IND and similar flexible immigration services.

Important: always verify before ordering. Check with the specific immigration service (IND, Migrationsverket, Migri) exactly what they accept under “certified translation” - requirements can vary slightly between authorities and permit types.

One practical rule: if a service confirmation letter says “official translation,” clarify whether a certified translator is sufficient or whether you need a sworn translator who has taken an oath before a court.

FAQ¶

Does the Netherlands accept English documents without translation?¶

Yes - IND officially accepts Dutch, English, French, or German. If your document is already in one of those four languages, no translation is needed. But legalisation or apostille is often still required.

Do I need to translate documents in Sweden if they’re in English?¶

No - Migrationsverket accepts Swedish or English. If the document is in another language, translate it into one of the two.

Which EU countries have the strictest document language rules?¶

Germany, France, and Spain. Documents must be translated by a specially authorised sworn translator into the country’s official language only. No alternatives accepted.

Does EU Regulation 2016/1191 exempt documents from translation?¶

Partially - for EU citizens moving within the EU and only for civil status documents (birth, marriage, death, etc.). Doesn’t apply to diplomas, employment contracts, or Ukrainian citizens.

My documents are in Ukrainian - do I still need to translate them in Finland?¶

Yes - Finland accepts Finnish, Swedish, or English. A Ukrainian document still needs to be translated into one of those three by an authorised translator. Translating into English is sufficient - Finnish isn’t required.

What’s the difference between apostille and translation?¶

Apostille confirms the document is genuine; translation conveys its content in another language. Most immigration procedures require both: apostille on the original in the issuing country, then translation. If the document is already in the receiving country’s accepted language, only apostille is needed.

Is it better to translate into English or the local language in “flexible” countries?¶

If the country accepts both - English is usually the better choice: larger market of translators, often lower cost, easier to find someone who knows your source language. But check the specific requirements for your permit type - some document categories may still require the local language.