Certified Spanish-German Translation
Need a certified translation from Spanish to German or vice versa? Our sworn translators create your translation, accepted by German and Spanish authorities. Whether for recognition of your Latin American degree in Germany, your Spanish property, or your marriage registration: we guide you through the process.
How it works - explained in 5 steps
Send your document
Upload your document or email us a scan. A clear photo from your phone is enough.
Receive your quote
You usually receive your quote within a few hours, often sooner.
Confirm with one click
Your quote includes a confirmation button. One click, and your sworn translator begins working.
Receive your translation
You receive your certified translation by email as PDF, and the 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
Your translation is in your hands. Only then do you pay, with a 14-day payment period.
When do you need a certified Spanish-German translation?
German authorities require certified translations (beglaubigte Übersetzung) for all official documents in Spanish. A regular translation, even by a fluent bilingual speaker, is not accepted. Here are the most common situations where you need our help:
Recognition of Latin American degrees in Germany
Did you study in Latin America and want to work in Germany? The immigration office (Ausländerbehörde), universities, and recognition authorities require certified translations of your academic documents by a sworn translator registered in Germany.
Typical documents:
- Diploma / Degree certificate
- Birth certificate
- Transcript of Records
Spanish property for German authorities
Do you own property in Spain? For the German tax office (Finanzamt), inheritance procedures, or banking transactions, you often need a German translation of your Spanish land registry documents (Nota simple) by a sworn translator.
Typical documents:
Marriage in Germany with a Spanish partner
If your partner is from Spain or Latin America, the German registry office (Standesamt) requires certified translations of civil status documents. These must be made by a sworn translator registered in Germany (beeidigter Übersetzer).
Typical documents:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Certificate of no impediment
Visa and residence in Germany
For visa applications, residence permits, or the EU Blue Card, German authorities require certified translations of your Spanish or Latin American documents into German by a sworn translator (beeidigter Übersetzer).
Typical documents:
- Birth certificate
- Employment contract
- Police clearance certificate
Why does your Spanish document need a "beglaubigte Übersetzung"?
German authorities only accept translations made by a beeidigter Übersetzer (sworn translator) officially registered with a German court. This translator:
- Has passed strict exams
- Is registered in a public database
- Adds an official stamp and signature to your translation
- Guarantees accuracy under oath
A regular translation, even by a fluent bilingual speaker, is not accepted by the Standesamt (registry office), Ausländerbehörde (immigration office), or courts. Without this official certification, your documents will be rejected and you'll face delays.
Spanish-speaking countries have a similar system: the traductor jurado (sworn translator registered with Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs). But for use in Germany, you need a German beeidigter Übersetzer. For use in Spain, you need a traductor jurado in Spain.
| Where will you use the document? | Which translator do you need? |
|---|---|
| German authorities (Standesamt, Ausländerbehörde, courts, universities) | German beeidigter Übersetzer |
| Spanish authorities (notaries, registries, courts) | Spanish traductor jurado |
| Latin American states | Depends on country; usually Spanish translation plus apostille |
Not sure which type you need? Send us your document and tell us where you'll submit it. We'll advise you for free.
What we need for your translation
- A clear photo or scan of your Spanish or Latin American document
- Information on whether you need the translation for Germany (German translation) or for Spain/Latin America (Spanish translation)
- Details on which authority you'll submit the translation to (e.g., registry office, immigration office, university)
- Optional: The original document with apostille (if required; we advise you)
Good to know: Original or scan?
For most German authorities, a certified translation from a scan or photo is sufficient. You don't need to send your original document. The sworn translator (beeidigter Übersetzer) notes in the certification that the translation was made from a copy. This is standard practice in Germany and accepted.
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Recognition of Latin American degrees in Germany
If you completed your studies in Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, or another Latin American country and want to work in Germany, you'll need to have your qualifications recognized. This process requires certified translations of several documents.
Which documents must be translated?
For recognition of your degree from Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, or other Latin American countries, you typically need certified translations of:
- Degree certificate (e.g., Título de Licenciatura, Bachelor, Diploma)
- Transcript of Records (grades / academic records)
- School-leaving certificate (e.g., Bachillerato, equivalent to German Abitur)
- Birth certificate (often required by immigration office or for visa)
- If applicable: Professional license, medical license
Where do you submit your translation?
Depending on your goal, there are different authorities in Germany:
For academic recognition (university):
- Universities and their enrollment offices
- Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
- State education ministries (Kultusministerium)
- Anabin database (for initial assessment)
For professional recognition (regulated professions):
- Professional chambers (e.g., medical board, bar association)
- Chamber of Commerce (IHK)
- Central Placement Office for Foreign and Specialist Workers (ZAV)
For residence and visa:
- Local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde)
- German embassy in your home country
- Employment agency (for Blue Card)
All these authorities require certified translations by a sworn translator registered in Germany (beeidigter Übersetzer). Visit Anerkennung in Deutschland for more information about the recognition process.
Do you need an apostille?
Whether you need an apostille depends on:
For documents from Hague Convention member states (e.g., Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica):
- The apostille authenticates your original document (not the translation)
- It's stamped on the document in the issuing country
- After that, a certified German translation can be made
For use in Germany:
- The certified translation by a German sworn translator usually does not need an additional apostille for use in Germany
- German authorities directly accept the stamp and signature of the beeidigter Übersetzer
Unsure? We're happy to advise whether your document needs an apostille. Learn more about apostille requirements.
Common mistakes to avoid
To ensure your documents are accepted:
- ✅ All names must be identical: Make sure your name is spelled exactly the same on all documents (birth certificate, degree, passport). Discrepancies often cause follow-up questions.
- ✅ Translate complete documents: Authorities typically need the full translation, not just excerpts. This includes stamps, signatures, and all margin notes.
- ✅ Choose the right translator: For German authorities: German sworn translator (beeidigter Übersetzer). For Spanish authorities: traductor jurado in Spain.
- ✅ 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.
Your questions, our answers
For German authorities (Standesamt, Ausländerbehörde, courts, universities), you always need a beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified translation) by a sworn translator registered in Germany. A regular translation, even by a professional translator, will be rejected. For internal company use or personal purposes, a regular translation may be sufficient.
Only a beeidigter Übersetzer (sworn translator) registered with a German court can create translations accepted by German authorities. A Spanish traductor jurado is only valid for Spanish authorities. At Embassy Translations, all our Spanish-German translators are officially sworn and registered in Germany.
Typically, you need certified translations of your degree certificate (Título), transcript of records, school-leaving certificate (Bachillerato), and often your birth certificate. For regulated professions like medicine or engineering, additional documents such as professional licenses may be required. We recommend checking with the relevant recognition authority first, then sending us all required documents for translation.
A Nota simple is an extract from the Spanish land registry (Grundbuchauszug). You need a German translation when dealing with the German tax office (Finanzamt) for inheritance tax, property tax, or when German banks or notaries require proof of property ownership in Spain. We translate Nota simple documents regularly and know exactly what German authorities expect.
The apostille authenticates your original document, not the translation. You need it when the receiving authority requires proof that your document is genuine. For German immigration procedures, an apostille on your Latin American documents is often required. The apostille must be obtained in the country that issued the document before translation. Our sworn translation itself does not need an apostille for use in Germany.
A clear scan or photo from your smartphone is enough for us to create the translation. German authorities accept translations made from copies. Our sworn translator notes in the certification clause that the translation was made from a provided copy. You only need to send the original if you specifically require the translation to be bound together with it.
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. You receive the certified translation as PDF by email immediately upon completion, and the original with stamp and signature by post. If you have a tight deadline, please mention it when requesting your quote, and we'll see what we can do.
Often needed together
People ordering Spanish-German translations often also need these documents translated:
Birth certificate
Spanish or Latin American birth certificate translation for German authorities.
Marriage certificate
Certified translation for registry office and family reunification.
Diploma / Degree certificate
Latin American academic credentials translated for German recognition authorities.
Your Spanish documents: translated and recognized
Request your personal quote now. Within a few hours you will know what your translation costs and when you will receive it. Your translation arrives first. Then you pay.
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