Why sworn translation matters in Spain

Sworn translation is a cornerstone in many fields, from business to civil matters. These are translations certified by a sworn translator accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC), which guarantees their legal validity. According to figures from CSA Research, , Spain is one of the European countries with the highest demand for sworn translation, particularly in immigration, education and business. A report by Statista indicates that 70% of the documents translated officially in Spain relate to administrative and legal procedures. Below we look at the five documents most often given a sworn translation in Spain, what they are used for and the languages most in demand for these procedures.

1. Birth certificates

What is it and what is it for?

A birth certificate is an official document that records a person’s birth and personal details, such as the date and place of birth, name and parentage. A sworn translation is essential for procedures such as:

• Citizenship applications
• Residence procedures abroad
• International marriages
• Adoptions

Languages most in demand

The languages most requested for sworn translations of birth certificates in Spain are:

• English
• French
• German
• Italian
• Arabic

According to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE, the Spanish national statistics office), in 2023 more than 30% of marriages in Spain were between people of different nationalities, which explains the high demand for this type of translation.

2. Academic degrees and educational certificates

What is it and what is it for?

University degrees, diplomas and educational certificates must be officially translated to be recognised in other countries. They are essential for:

• Having qualifications recognised abroad
• Job applications outside Spain
• Access to international master’s and doctoral programmes

Languages most in demand

The languages most often used for sworn translations of academic qualifications are:

• English
• German
• French
• Portuguese

According to the Spanish Ministry of Universities, in 2023 more than 100,000 Spanish students requested sworn translations of their qualifications in order to study or work abroad. 👉 Do you need your academic qualification translated? Read our article on how to request a sworn translation of my official documents.

3. Contracts and legal agreements

What is it and what is it for?

In business, contracts and commercial agreements often require a sworn translation to be legally valid in another country. They are used in:

• International sales agreements
• Employment contracts
• Franchise and distribution contracts
• Mergers and acquisitions

Languages most in demand

The most common languages for sworn translations of contracts in Spain are:

• English (the dominant language of international trade)
• German
• Chinese
• French

According to a report by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, more than 40% of exporting companies have needed a sworn translation at some point in order to close commercial agreements with other countries.

4. Powers of attorney

What is it and what is it for?

A power of attorney is a document by which one person grants another the legal authority to act on their behalf in certain matters. A sworn translation is mandatory for:

• Buying and selling property abroad
• Legal representation in international proceedings
• Settling estates with assets in different countries

Languages most in demand

The languages most requested for translations of powers of attorney are:

• English
• Italian
• German
• Russian

According to figures from the Consejo General del Notariado (the Spanish General Council of Notaries), more than 50,000 powers of attorney are translated in Spain every year for use abroad.

5. Criminal record certificates

What is it and what is it for?

A criminal record certificate states whether or not a person has criminal convictions. It is essential for:

• Visa and residence applications
• Employment in public bodies or foreign companies
• International adoption procedures

Languages most in demand

The most common languages for translations of criminal record certificates in Spain are:

• English
• French
• Portuguese
• Dutch

According to the Spanish Ministry of Justice, more than 200,000 criminal record certificatesare issued every year, of which 60% require a sworn translation for procedures outside Spain. 👉 If you need more information about legalising documents, see our article on the Hague Apostille and its relationship with sworn translation.