What Is It Requirements Pricing Process FAQ Guides Contact
Start Application → Email Us Contact Us

Other Visa Types

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) Student Visa
Translation Requirements 2026

Sworn Translation
for Spain Student Visa

What makes a translation "sworn," which documents need one, and exactly how to get an official certified translation accepted by Spanish consulates.

We Include Sworn TranslationsFull Checklist
⭐

Sworn Translations Included in Our Service

Our service includes up to €75 of sworn translations for clients who apply through us. You don't need to find or pay a certified translator separately — we arrange all the official sworn translations your application needs as part of our standard service.

Explained

What Is a Sworn Translation?

A sworn translation — known in Spanish as a traducción jurada — is a certified translation produced by a translator who has been officially recognised and authorised by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación). It is the only type of translation accepted by Spanish consulates for official immigration documents.

What Makes It "Sworn"

A sworn translation has three distinctive features that a standard translation does not:

  • The translator is officially registered with and authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • The translation carries the translator's official stamp (sello de traductor jurado)
  • It includes a written declaration, signed under oath, that the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the original document

The translation is attached to (not a replacement for) the original document. Both the original and the translation are submitted together at the consulate appointment.

⚠️ What Is NOT Accepted

  • Google Translate or any AI/machine translation
  • Translations by a bilingual friend or family member
  • Standard translation agencies without Ministry certification
  • Translations without the official stamp and sworn declaration
  • Notarised translations (notarisation is different from sworn certification)
  • Translations attached to photocopies of the original document
Which Documents

Which Documents Need a Sworn Translation?

Any document submitted to the Spanish consulate in a language other than Spanish must be accompanied by a sworn translation. Here is every document that typically requires one for the Spain student visa:

🔏

Criminal Record Certificate

If your certificate is in English (e.g. ACRO, FBI, AFP), it must have a sworn translation. This is non-negotiable and always required.

💳

Bank Statements

Bank statements in English or any other non-Spanish language must be sworn-translated. The consulate will not assess untranslated statements.

🩺

Medical Certificate

If your doctor issues the certificate in English, a sworn translation is required. We provide an approved Spanish-language template to avoid this step.

📝

Sponsorship Letter

If a parent's sponsorship letter is written in English, a sworn translation is required alongside the letter.

🎓

Enrolment Letter

If your institution issues the enrolment letter in English (common for language schools and some universities), a sworn translation may be required. Check your specific consulate's requirements.

🏥

Health Insurance Policy

The key coverage pages of your health insurance policy document may require a sworn translation if issued in English — specifically the page showing coverage details, your name, and dates.

📚

Academic Certificates

If you are required to submit degree or qualification certificates, these must be accompanied by sworn translations if in English.

👨‍👩‍👧

Sponsor's Bank Statements

If your sponsor's bank statements are in English, they too require sworn translations — just the same as your own.

Key Difference

Sworn vs Standard Translation

Many applicants make the mistake of using a standard translation service, not realising the distinction. Here is why it matters:

✅ Sworn Translation (Traducción Jurada)

  • Carried out by a translator registered with Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Bears the translator's official stamp and registration number
  • Includes a sworn declaration of accuracy signed by the translator
  • Accepted by all Spanish consulates for visa applications
  • Has legal standing under Spanish law
  • Cost: €30–80 per document (depending on length)

❌ Standard Translation

  • May be produced by anyone with language skills
  • No official stamp or Ministry registration required
  • No sworn declaration of accuracy
  • NOT accepted by Spanish consulates for visa applications
  • Has no legal standing in Spanish immigration proceedings
  • Cost: often lower, but useless for your visa
How to Get One

How to Get a Sworn Translation

There are several ways to obtain a sworn Spanish translation of your documents. Here is the process from start to finish:

1

Find a Spain Ministry Certified Translator

Use a translator who appears on the official register of sworn translators (Traductores-Intérpretes Jurados) maintained by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our service includes sworn translations — so if you use us, you don't need to find a translator separately.

2

Send Clear Scans or Originals of Documents

Most sworn translators accept high-resolution scans for routine documents. For complex official documents such as the apostilled criminal record certificate, some translators prefer to see the original to verify the apostille.

3

Receive the Stamped, Sworn Translation

The translator returns a printed translation bearing their official stamp, registration number, and the sworn declaration. This is a physical document — keep it carefully. Typical turnaround: 5–10 business days per document.

4

Keep Translation With Its Original Document

At your consulate appointment, present the sworn translation immediately behind the original document it translates. Do not separate them or bundle all translations together. The officer needs to match each document to its translation instantly.

Common Questions

Sworn Translation FAQs

A sworn translation (traducción jurada) is a certified translation produced by a translator officially authorised by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It carries the translator's official stamp and a sworn declaration of accuracy. Spanish consulates require sworn translations for all non-Spanish documents in your visa application — standard or uncertified translations are rejected outright.
Documents requiring sworn translation include: criminal record certificate, bank statements, medical certificate, sponsorship letter (if applicable), enrolment letter (if in English), health insurance policy key pages, and academic certificates (if submitted). Essentially, any document in a language other than Spanish must have a sworn translation.
A sworn translation typically takes 5–10 business days per document. Rush services (2–3 days) are often available at higher cost. Since you will likely need several documents translated simultaneously, factor in 1–2 weeks for this step in your overall application timeline. Our service includes sworn translations with a standard 5–7 day turnaround.
No — these are different things. A notarised translation is one that has been witnessed by a notary public as genuine, but it does not require the translator to be certified by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Spanish consulates require a sworn translation specifically — one produced by a translator registered on Spain's official list of sworn translators. Our service provides the correct type.
A sworn translation typically costs €30–€80 per document, depending on the length and complexity of the document. For a full Spain student visa application, you may need 3–6 documents translated. Our service includes up to €75 of sworn translations, covering the most common documents. If additional translations are needed beyond this amount, we will advise you and agree any extra cost in advance.
No. Spanish consulates do not accept online translations, AI-generated translations, or translations produced by non-certified translators. The translation must be a sworn translation (traducción jurada) produced by a translator registered with Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Submitting an uncertified translation will result in your documents being rejected.
No. The sworn translation is submitted alongside the original document — not instead of it. At your consulate appointment, you present the original document together with its sworn translation immediately behind it. Never separate the two. The consular officer needs to verify both the original and the translation together.
Yes, if your bank statements are in English or any language other than Spanish, they require a sworn translation. The consulate must be able to read your statements to assess your financial means — untranslated English-language statements are not accepted at most Spanish consulates.
Yes. If your criminal record certificate is in English (for example, the UK's ACRO certificate) or any other non-Spanish language, a sworn translation is mandatory. This is one of the most important sworn translations in your application as it accompanies the apostilled original at your consulate appointment.
No. A translation produced by a bilingual friend, family member, or an uncertified translator — regardless of their language ability — is not accepted by Spanish consulates. Only translations produced by a translator officially registered with Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs carry legal standing and are accepted.
A sworn translation is a physical document (printed, not digital) containing the full Spanish-language translation of your document. It is signed by the sworn translator, bears their official rubber stamp (sello de traductor jurado) with their name and registration number, and includes a written declaration stating that the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the original. It is attached to (or presented alongside) the original document.
Yes — being from an EU country does not exempt a document from requiring a sworn translation if it is not in Spanish. For example, a French bank statement, a German criminal record certificate, or an Italian medical certificate would all require sworn Spanish translations. The rule applies to any document in a language other than Spanish, regardless of the issuing country.

Sworn Translations Included in Our Service

Every application we prepare includes up to €75 of official sworn translations — you don't need to find or pay a translator separately.

Start Your Application
Start Application →Contact Us