Polish-German Translation: Certified for Driving Licences, Trade Qualifications and More
Working in Germany with Polish qualifications? Need your Polish driving licence accepted by German authorities? Our sworn translators deliver certified Polish-German translations that are recognised by the Handwerkskammer, Fahrerlaubnisbehörde and all other German offices. You receive your translation first, then pay.
Your personal quote by email within minutes
Why does it need to be certified?
German authorities do not accept ordinary translations or machine-translated documents. For official purposes, your Polish documents must be translated by a vereidigter Übersetzer, a translator officially sworn in by a German court. This sworn translator confirms the accuracy of the translation with their stamp and signature. Only then will offices like the Handwerkskammer (Chamber of Crafts), the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence authority) or the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) accept your documents.
Your path to a certified Polish-German translation
Send your document
Upload or email a clear photo or scan of your Polish document. The original stays with you.
Receive your quote
Within a few hours, you receive a personal quote with a transparent fixed price by email.
Confirm with one click
Simply click the confirmation button in the email. No account needed, no payment upfront.
Receive your translation
Your certified translation arrives as a PDF by email, followed by the stamped original by post. Standard delivery: 3 to 6 business days.
Pay at your convenience
The invoice comes with your translation. You have 14 days to pay by bank transfer.
When do you need a certified Polish-German translation?
Polish nationals working in Germany, cross-border commuters (Grenzgänger) and German employers hiring Polish staff regularly need certified translations. Here are the most common situations:
Recognition of your Polish trade qualification
Want to work as a skilled craftsperson in Germany or have your Polish Gesellenbrief (journeyman certificate) recognised? The Handwerkskammer requires certified German translations of your Polish certificates and training records. This is essential for career progression and entry into regulated trades. More information is available at Anerkennung in Deutschland.
- Polish trade certificate (świadectwo czeladnicze)
- Employment contract
- ID or passport
Polish driving licence for German authorities
Registering your Polish driving licence in Germany or exchanging it for a German one? The Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence authority) needs a certified German translation, especially for professional driving classes (C, D, CE). Without it, your driving entitlement may not be confirmed.
- Polish driving licence
- Registration certificate
- Medical or eye test certificates (if required)
Employment as a cross-border worker
Living in Poland and commuting to work in Germany? Your German employer, the tax office or social insurance may require certified translations of your employment contract and Polish qualifications. This ensures smooth onboarding and compliance with German regulations.
- Employment contract
- Polish qualification certificates
- Criminal record extract (if required)
Recognition of Polish master craftsman qualification
Planning to run your own business in a regulated German trade (zulassungspflichtiges Handwerk)? You need your Polish Meister or vocational certificates translated and recognised by the Handwerkskammer. The Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks provides guidance on this process.
- Polish master or vocational certificates
- Proof of work experience
- ID or passport
What we need from you
Getting your certified translation is straightforward. Here is what you should prepare:
- A clear scan or photo of your Polish document (the original stays with you)
- Let us know the purpose: driving licence exchange, qualification recognition, employment, etc.
- If the authority has specific requirements, send us their instructions
Good to know
You do not need to send the original document. A legible scan or phone photo is sufficient for the translation. The certified translation will note that it was made from a copy, which is accepted by German authorities. If your authority requires an apostille, you can obtain this from Polish authorities in parallel.
Bureaucracy tip: Recognition vs. translation
A certified translation is just one step in the recognition process. The translation itself takes 3 to 6 business days. However, the recognition procedure at the Handwerkskammer or other authority can take several weeks or even months. Order your translation early to avoid delays with your job start, driving test or appointment at the Ausländerbehörde.
Since March 2024, the reformed Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act) offers new routes for skilled workers, including the Anerkennungspartnerschaft. This allows some workers to enter Germany before full recognition is complete. However, employers and chambers still require properly translated documents for assessment. See Make it in Germany for the latest information.
Ready to get your Polish documents translated?
Individual price based on your document
Your questions, our answers
Standard delivery is 3 to 6 business days. Short documents like a driving licence or single certificate are often ready sooner. Keep in mind that the recognition process at authorities like the Handwerkskammer takes much longer, so order your translation as early as possible.
No. A clear scan or photo from your phone is sufficient. The certified translation will state that it was made from a copy. German authorities accept this. For the recognition procedure itself, you may need to show the original at an appointment, but not for the translation.
Yes. Our translations are made by translators officially sworn in by German courts (öffentlich bestellte und beeidigte Übersetzer). These certified translations are accepted by all German authorities, including the Handwerkskammer, Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, Ausländerbehörde and employers.
You pay only after you receive 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 required.
For most Polish documents used in Germany, an apostille is not routinely required because both countries are EU members. However, some authorities or specific procedures may still ask for an apostilled document, especially for older certificates. Always check with the responsible authority. If an apostille is needed, you obtain it from Polish authorities, and we then translate it together with your document.
Documents often needed together
Driving licence translation
Essential for registering or exchanging your Polish driving licence in Germany.
Trade certificate translation
For recognition of your Polish craft qualification by the Handwerkskammer.
Employment contract translation
Required by employers, tax offices and social insurance for cross-border workers.
Get your Polish documents ready for Germany
Send us your scan today. Your certified translation arrives by email and post. Hold it in your hands, then pay.
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