🇱🇺Luxembourg — official translation

Sworn translation in Luxembourg

In the Grand Duchy, a translator counts as sworn only after being appointed by the Minister of Justice and taking the oath before a chamber of the Cour supérieure de justice. The resulting list is public and organised by language: here is how to read it, and when an apostille has to be added.

In 30 seconds

Who is sworn: Translators appointed by the Minister of Justice in criminal and administrative matters, then sworn in before a chamber of the Cour supérieure de justice.
Three administrative languages: French, German and Luxembourgish. An application that targets none of the three cannot be considered.
Apostille or legalisation: An apostille for countries party to the Hague Convention; otherwise a legalisation, then counter-legalisation by the destination country's mission.
Price and lead time: €60 to €100 excl. VAT per page, 1 to 3 business days. Quote within 60 minutes on business days.

Who may produce a sworn translation in Luxembourg?

The Minister of Justice may appoint sworn experts, translators and interpreters for criminal and administrative matters. This status comes from the amended Law of 7 July 1971. A successful applicant is entered on the list by ministerial order, issued several times a year, and is then invited to take the oath before a chamber of the Cour supérieure de justice. Thereafter they fall under the supervision of the Procureur général d'État.

The resulting list is published by the Ministry of Justice as one file per language. That is the first thing to check when a supplier announces a sworn translation for Luxembourg: look up the name of the translator who will sign in the list for the language concerned, not the name of the agency.

French, German, Luxembourgish

Luxembourg has three administrative languages: French, German and Luxembourgish. An application to join the list of sworn translators that targets none of these three cannot be considered. In practice, a foreign document intended for a Luxembourg authority is translated into one of the three — and it is the receiving authority that says which one.

Is an apostille or a legalisation needed?

That depends on the country where the document will be filed, not on Luxembourg. Both formalities are issued by the legalisation office of the Directorate of Consular Affairs, and both certify a signature or a seal — never the content of the document. The published fee is 20 euros per document, with a processing time of three working days.

Country party to the Hague Convention

An apostille is enough. It is affixed to the Luxembourg public document, and it may cover the signature or seal of a sworn translator practising in Luxembourg. Only documents issued on Luxembourg territory can be apostilled.

Other countries

A legalisation is issued instead, which then has to be counter-legalised by the diplomatic mission of the destination country accredited in Luxembourg. Allow for both steps in your schedule.

Between European Union member states

Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 exempts certain public documents from any legalisation or apostille formality: birth, marriage and death certificates, residence certificates, and court decisions on divorce or adoption, among others. The published list is indicative. Ask the receiving authority whether your document is covered before paying for an apostille that would serve no purpose.

What we translate for the Grand Duchy

Luxembourg brings together a financial centre, European head offices and a large cross-border workforce from France, Belgium and Germany. The documents that reach us follow that geography: they come from one country and have to take effect in another. We work remotely from Paris with a dedicated project manager; the document travels both ways digitally.

Articles of association and commercial register extracts

Fund documentation and compliance files

Employment contracts and amendments for cross-border staff

Birth, marriage and divorce certificates

Diplomas and transcripts submitted for recognition

Judgments, notarial deeds and powers of attorney

What we do not promise

A French sworn translation, produced by an expert translator attached to a French court of appeal, is not automatically accepted in Luxembourg: the Grand Duchy runs its own appointment system. If the receiving authority requires a translator on the Luxembourg list, we will say so at quotation stage rather than after delivery. Send us the document and the name of the receiving body: that is what settles the question.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check that a translator really is sworn in Luxembourg?

The Ministry of Justice publishes the list of sworn experts, translators and interpreters, organised by language. Open the file for the language concerned and look up the name of the translator who will sign. Each list carries its own effective date: check it, because an older list may no longer reflect current entries.

Which language should a document be translated into for a Luxembourg authority?

Into one of the three administrative languages: French, German or Luxembourgish. The receiving authority states which one it expects. In practice, French and German cover most written procedures.

Is a French sworn translation valid in Luxembourg?

Not automatically. Luxembourg has its own appointment system, run by the Minister of Justice. Some authorities accept a foreign sworn translation, others do not. The only reliable answer comes from the body you are filing with: ask them before ordering.

Does my translation have to be legalised or apostilled?

That depends on the country of filing. For a country party to the Hague Convention, an apostille is enough. For other countries, a legalisation followed by counter-legalisation by the destination country's diplomatic mission. Between European Union member states, Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 exempts certain public documents from any such formality.

What does a sworn translation cost, and how long does it take?

Our sworn translations are billed at €60 to €100 excl. VAT per page, depending on the language, the number of pages in the project and how much text each page carries. The usual lead time is 1 to 3 business days. An apostille or legalisation is not included in that price and adds its own administrative delay.

Do you work for Luxembourg City, Esch-sur-Alzette and Kirchberg?

Yes, and the location changes nothing: the appointment is national, not local. A Luxembourg sworn translator is competent throughout the Grand Duchy. We work remotely from Paris, the document travels both ways digitally, and no travel is required.

Official sources

Facts verified on 11 October 2026. Procedures and administrative fees change: check the exact requirement with the receiving authority before ordering.

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Request your quote

Reply within 60 minutes on business days. Send the document and the name of the receiving body: we will tell you whether a sworn translation, an apostille, or neither is needed.

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