Italian-German Certified Translation: Inheritance, Pensions, Property
Whether you're handling a cross-border inheritance, claiming pension credits from Italy, buying property on the Amalfi Coast, or registering a marriage: German and Italian authorities require certified translations by a vereidigter Übersetzer. We guide you through the process and deliver translations accepted on both sides of the Alps.
You usually receive your quote within a few hours, often sooner.
Why does it need to be certified?
In Germany, official translations must be done by a öffentlich bestellter und allgemein beeidigter Übersetzer, a translator officially sworn in by a German regional court. This person stamps and signs the translation, confirming its accuracy. German authorities, from the Standesamt to the Nachlassgericht, will only accept these certified translations. For use in Italy, the process may require additional steps like legalisation at an Italian court or consulate, depending on the receiving authority.
Your path to a certified Italian-German translation
Send your document
Upload or email a clear scan or photo of your Italian or German document. The original stays safely with you.
Receive your quote
You usually receive your quote within a few hours, often sooner. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Confirm with one click
Your quote email contains a confirmation button. One click, and our sworn translator starts working.
Receive your translation
You get the certified translation as a PDF by email, plus the stamped original by post. Delivery usually takes 3 to 6 working days; it may vary depending on the language and scope. Your personal delivery time is stated in your quote.
Pay at your convenience
The invoice arrives with your translation. You have 14 days to pay by bank transfer.
Typical situations for Italian-German translations
Life between Germany and Italy creates paperwork. EU citizenship makes movement easy, but each authority still wants documents in its own language, properly certified. Here are the four most common scenarios we help with:
Cross-border inheritance
When a German heir inherits from an Italian relative, or vice versa, courts and notaries on both sides need certified translations of wills, death certificates, property registers, and court decisions.
- Certificate of inheritance
- European Certificate of Succession
- Italian property extracts
Pension claims between countries
If you worked in both Germany and Italy, you may need to submit Italian pension notices to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, or German Rentenbescheid documents to INPS in Italy.
- Pension notice
- Contribution statements
- Employment confirmations
Property purchase in Italy
Buying a house in Tuscany or selling inherited property? Notaries and banks require certified translations of purchase contracts, land registry extracts, mortgage documents, and powers of attorney.
- Notarised purchase agreement
- Land registry extract
- Power of attorney
Marriage and family matters
Getting married in Germany with Italian documents, or registering a German marriage in Italy? The Standesamt and Italian Comune need certified translations of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees.
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate
- Divorce decree
What we need from you
Getting started is simple. Here's what helps us deliver your translation quickly:
- A clear scan or photo of your document, with all text, stamps, and seals visible
- The target language: Italian to German, or German to Italian
- The purpose: which authority will receive the translation (this helps with terminology)
- Deadline information, if you have a fixed appointment
Good to know
You do not need to send the original document. A clear colour scan is sufficient for the translation. The certified translation will note that it was made from a copy, which German authorities accept. If your authority specifically requires the translator to have seen the original, we'll let you know.
Do you need an apostille?
Both Germany and Italy are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. This means public documents can be authenticated with an apostille for use in the other country, without full embassy legalisation.
However, not every document needs an apostille. It depends on:
- The type of document: civil status documents (birth, marriage, death) often require one
- The receiving authority: some Italian notaries accept German sworn translations directly, others require additional legalisation
- The direction: German documents for Italy may need different steps than Italian documents for Germany
The correct order matters
If an apostille is required, obtain it before ordering the translation. The apostille is attached to your original document, and both the document and the apostille text should be translated together. Getting the order wrong means redoing work.
Not sure what your specific authority requires? We advise you before you order. Many clients find that a German sworn translation is sufficient. When additional steps are needed, we explain exactly what to do.
Digital or paper: what authorities accept
German authorities increasingly accept digitally signed certified translations with a qualified electronic signature (QES). However, acceptance varies:
- Most German courts and pension authorities accept QES-signed PDFs
- Some Standesämter still insist on paper with original stamp and wet signature
- Italian authorities often prefer or require paper documents
We deliver both: a PDF by email for your records and digital submissions, plus the original stamped translation by post. If your authority has specific requirements, let us know and we'll advise on the best approach.
Ready to get your Italian-German translation?
Individual price based on your document
Your questions, our answers
Delivery usually takes 3 to 6 working days; it may vary depending on the language and scope. Your personal delivery time is stated in your quote. Simple one-page documents like birth certificates are often ready faster, while complex inheritance files or property contracts may take the full timeframe. If you have a fixed deadline, mention it when requesting your quote, and we'll confirm whether we can meet it.
Translations by a German vereidigter Übersetzer are accepted by all German authorities, including courts, pension offices, and registry offices. Most Italian authorities also accept them, sometimes with an additional apostille or consular legalisation. Before starting, we'll check your specific requirements and advise if extra steps are needed.
A clear colour scan or photo is sufficient. The certified translation will note that it was made from a copy. German authorities routinely accept this. Only in rare cases, when the translator must confirm having seen the original, would you need to send it. We'll tell you if that applies to your document.
You pay after receiving your translation. The invoice arrives together with your certified translation. You then have 14 days to pay by bank transfer. No prepayment, no credit card needed.
It depends on the document and the German authority. Civil status documents from Italy often need an apostille for German Standesämter. Court documents and inheritance papers may have different requirements. As explained by the German Foreign Office, the apostille should be obtained in Italy before translation. We help you figure out what your specific authority needs.
Often needed together
English translations
International inheritance cases or pension claims sometimes require documents in both German and English, especially when insurers or international institutions are involved.
Spanish translations
When inheritance or property matters span multiple Mediterranean countries, you may need certified translations in Spanish alongside Italian and German.
Portuguese translations
Complex estates involving Italy, Germany, and Portugal or Brazil benefit from a translation service that handles all language pairs consistently.
View on ProvenExpert
Get your Italian-German translation started
Upload your document, receive your quote, and hold the certified translation in your hands before you pay.
Request your free quote