Sworn Translation in Luxembourg: Ministry of Justice Guide

Luxembourg has three official languages, one of which - Luxembourgish - nobody actually translates documents into. The translator takes an oath before a chamber of the Supreme Court, not before a notary. And yes, translation from Ukrainian is a real thing here - the Ministry of Justice has a separate PDF listing Ukrainian translators. If you’re about to submit documents to Luxembourg’s administration and don’t want to waste time and money on mistakes - here’s how the whole system works.

How Sworn Translation Works in Luxembourg¶

In Luxembourg, a sworn translator (traducteur assermenté) is a natural person who’s been vetted by the Ministry of Justice and has taken an oath before a chamber of the Cour Supérieure de Justice (Superior Court of Justice). After that, the translator can certify translations with their signature and seal - and these translations are accepted by all Luxembourg government bodies without any additional notarization.

This is a key difference from many other countries where you need both a translator AND a notary. Here, one person does everything - the sworn translator’s seal carries full legal weight on its own.

The Ministry of Justice maintains an official list of all sworn translators, organized by language. This list gets updated several times a year when the minister signs a new arrêté ministériel (ministerial order) adding new translators. You can find the list on the Ministry of Justice website or through the sworn translator directory.

Three Languages - Which One to Pick¶

Luxembourg has three official languages: French, German, and Luxembourgish. But in practice, your choice for document translation is between two - French and German. Luxembourgish is the national language for everyday conversation; official paperwork isn’t done in it.

Tip: when in doubt, go with French. It’s the language of Luxembourg’s legislation - all laws and regulations are written in French. You don’t need to translate into both languages - one is enough.

Ukrainian Sworn Translator - Yes, They Exist¶

One of the biggest questions for Ukrainians: is there a sworn translator in Luxembourg who works with Ukrainian? Short answer - yes.

The Ministry of Justice website has a dedicated PDF file Traducteurs_ukrainien.pdf listing translators for Ukrainian. This means you can get a proper sworn translation from Ukrainian to French (or vice versa) directly in Luxembourg, without a relay translation through a third language.

But here’s the catch: there aren’t many Ukrainian translators yet. If the specific translator is busy or you can’t reach them - you’ve got options:

• Check the list for Russian translators too - some also work with Ukrainian
• Contact the Luxembourg Association of Translators and Interpreters (ALTI) - they might recommend someone from their members
• As a last resort, you could get a translation from a sworn translator in Germany or Belgium and ask the Luxembourg administration to accept it (some offices do, but not all)

Which Documents Need Translation¶

You need a sworn translation for any official document you’re submitting to Luxembourg authorities that isn’t written in French, German, or Luxembourgish. Here’s a typical list for Ukrainians:

For a residence permit¶

• Birth certificate (with an apostille)
• Marriage or divorce certificate
• Criminal record certificate
• Medical certificate (if required)

For work and Blue Card¶

• University diploma (with apostille)
• Diploma supplement (transcript of records)
• Professional qualification certificates
• Employment history documents

For family matters¶

• Children’s birth certificates
• Marriage certificate
• Custody or adoption documents

Every document from Ukraine needs an apostille - both Luxembourg and Ukraine are members of the Hague Convention. The apostille is issued in Ukraine (Ministry of Justice or regional justice departments) BEFORE the translation. The order matters: first apostille, then translation.

How Much Does It Cost¶

Sworn translation prices in Luxembourg aren’t regulated by the government - each translator sets their own rates. Here’s what you can expect:

These prices are higher than in Ukraine but roughly in line with Germany and Belgium. One user on Luxtoday shared their experience: a document package for a family of three (birth certificates, marriage certificate, diplomas) cost around €450 translated into French.

Tip: always ask for a quote before ordering. Some translators charge per page of the original, others per page of the translation (and a Ukrainian-to-French translation is usually longer than the original).

Apostille: Step-by-Step for Ukrainian Documents¶

Both Ukraine and Luxembourg are members of the Hague Convention, so document recognition requires an apostille, not consular legalization.

Here’s the process:

1. Get the apostille in Ukraine - for birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record certificates. Issued by the Ministry of Justice or regional justice departments
2. Find a sworn translator - on the Luxembourg Ministry of Justice website or through the directory
3. Order the translation - the translator translates both the document and the apostille
4. Get the certified translation - with the translator’s signature and seal, which carries legal force

Important: the apostille goes BEFORE the translation. The translator translates the entire document including the apostille. Without an apostille, Luxembourg’s administration may reject the document entirely - even with a sworn translation.

Why Ukrainian Notarized Translations Don’t Work Here¶

If you’ve got a translation notarized in Ukraine - that’s nice, but it probably won’t fly in Luxembourg. Luxembourg institutions recognize translations from translators who’ve taken an oath before the Supreme Court of Luxembourg and are listed with the Ministry of Justice.

The difference between notarized and sworn translation is fundamental: a notary confirms the translator’s signature, while a sworn translator is personally accountable to the state for translation quality. In Luxembourg, the second option is the standard.

Exception: some institutions may accept a sworn translation done in another EU country (for example, in Germany or Belgium). But it’s not guaranteed - better to check with the specific office beforehand.

Where to Find a Translator: Three Ways¶

1. Official Ministry of Justice list¶

The most reliable way. Go to the Ministry of Justice website, select the language (ukrainien, russe, or another), and you’ll see a PDF listing all sworn translators for that language pair.

2. The annuaire-traducteur-assermente.lu directory¶

An online directory with search by source language, target language, and region of Luxembourg. More user-friendly than the Ministry’s PDF files, but might not list every translator.

3. Translators’ association (ALTI)¶

The Association luxembourgeoise des traducteurs et interprètes - a professional association where you can find both sworn and non-sworn translators.

Temporary Protection and Documents - What You Need to Know¶

Temporary protection for Ukrainians in Luxembourg has been extended until March 4, 2027. If you’re living under temporary protection, you may still need sworn translations - for example, for:

• Changing your residence status (switching to a work permit or Blue Card)
• Diploma recognition for employment
• Enrolling children in school
• Registering a marriage

You can apply for temporary protection through guichet.public.lu, and for status changes, documents go to the Direction générale de l’immigration.

FAQ¶

How much does a sworn translation cost in Luxembourg?¶

Prices aren’t regulated and depend on the translator. On average, €40-70 per page for a standard document. A birth certificate runs €50-90, a diploma with supplement €150-350. A full package for a family costs roughly €400-500.

Is there a sworn translator for Ukrainian in Luxembourg?¶

Yes. The Ministry of Justice has a dedicated list for Ukrainian translators. There aren’t many yet, so it’s best to get in touch early and agree on timelines.

Which language should I translate documents into for Luxembourg?¶

French is the safest choice because it’s the language of legislation. German is also accepted everywhere. Luxembourgish isn’t used for translations. English isn’t an official language, though some agencies (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education) may accept it for specific procedures.

Will Luxembourg accept a translation done in Ukraine or Germany?¶

Notarized translations from Ukraine usually aren’t recognized. Sworn translations from Germany or Belgium are accepted by some institutions, but it’s not guaranteed. The safest bet is to order from a translator on the Luxembourg Ministry of Justice list.

Do Ukrainian documents need an apostille for Luxembourg?¶

Yes, absolutely. Both countries are members of the Hague Convention. The apostille is issued in Ukraine (Ministry of Justice or justice departments) BEFORE the translation. The translator translates the document together with the apostille.