Explore country-specific rules for recognising foreign documents for official use.
This map shows when certified or sworn translations, apostilles, or legalisation are required for official use.
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Requirement: Sworn
| Apostille required | Often required for foreign documents, depending on country of origin |
|---|---|
| Translation type required | Sworn translation |
| Who can translate | Sworn translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Official translator registry | Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs registry |
| Accepted languages | Spanish |
| Legalisation authority | Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation |
| Official source | Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Sworn Translators |
Important: If an apostille is required, it must be obtained before the sworn translation.
Find a sworn translator in SpainIn Spain, only officially appointed traductores/intérpretes jurados (sworn translators) recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs can produce translations suitable for administrative, judicial, and official use.
Sworn translators obtain their title either by passing a public state examination or by having recognised equivalent qualifications.
An official sworn translation must include the translator’s stamp and signature, certification of accuracy, and their official registration details.
Spanish law also permits the use of a recognised qualified electronic signature for digitally issued sworn translations.
Foreign documents generally need to be apostilled or legalised in their country of origin before being translated by a sworn translator in Spain.
Sworn translators in Spain are regulated by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their status and professional framework are governed by national administrative regulations concerning Traductores-Intérpretes Jurados.
