Sworn translators: What you need to know

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

If you’re applying for a visa or residency card to move to Spain for the long term, you’ll have to gather a bunch of documentation. Different consulates have different requirements when it comes to translation, but there’s a high chance they may ask you for a sworn translation, or a traducción jurada in Spanish made by official translators or Sworn translators.

So, what is a traducción jurada or sworn translation in Spain?

Traducciones juradas are officially translated documents completed by a certified translator, accepted or recognized by a legal jurisdiction. In English, we call them “sworn translations,” “certified translations” or “translating for legal equivalence.” Each country has different rules but we’ll focus on sworn translations in Spain.

When is a sworn translation in Spain needed?

Sworn translations are usually necessary for the purpose of legal, administrative and bureaucratic processes. If a translation isn’t sworn, then it isn’t recognized as official.

A sworn translation in Span is usually needed when it comes to legal or fiscal matters such as taxes, immigration, residency, birth certificates, marriage documents, property deeds, patents; and educational documents such as transcripts, certificates and diplomas. The list goes on, but this should give you a good idea.

What is the difference between a traducción jurada in Spain and a normal translation?

If a translation is “no jurada” then it is essentially private and has no legal bearing. It’s important to note that non-certified translations can have the same content quality – the main difference is the stamp and certification.

Professional translations can be used for newspapers, books, magazines, and many other types of documents and media.

Who can do them?

Only sworn translators can do a sworn translation in Spain, and they must be translated either from or into Spanish. This means a sworn Spanish translator can’t do certified translations from German to French, for example.

To become a sworn translator in Spain, you need to meet a series of requirements (such as hold EU nationality and a university degree) and pass a state exam. Then you must be certified by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation as a traductor-intérprete jurado (“sworn translator and interpreter”), and register your stamp and signature with the Ministry to be included in a public list of sworn interpreters.

If you need a traducción jurada, you’re in luck! Here are Spainguru’s recommended translators.

Shaheen Samavati

Shaheen Samavati is a pivotal figure at SpainGuru, where she brings her profound understanding of Spanish immigration to the forefront. Her journey in Spain began when she arrived in Madrid to pursue her studies at IE Business School. Over the years, Shaheen has not only immersed herself in the Spanish culture but has also become a trusted resource for expats. Through her active participation in the "American Expats in Spain" Facebook group and her role as a content manager for Spotahome.com, she has consistently provided invaluable insights to the expat community.

See Full Bio