Sworn Translation for UK Citizens Moving to Spain
Since Brexit, UK citizens who want to live in Spain long-term need a visa. Most visa routes require sworn Spanish translations of English documents — and many UK applicants discover, too late, that the translation they have is not the right kind. This guide explains what you typically need to translate, and what “sworn translation” actually means in Spain.
What UK Citizens Typically Need to Translate for Spain
The documents required depend on the visa type and the Spanish consulate handling your application. Common documents that need sworn translation include:
- ACRO Police Certificate — the standard UK criminal record certificate for Spanish visa applications, issued by ACRO Criminal Records Office
- FCDO apostille — the apostille issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, often attached to the ACRO certificate and other documents
- Birth certificate — sometimes required for residency or family-related procedures
- Marriage certificate — if relevant to the application
- Divorce decree absolute or final order — if applicable
- Financial documents — pension letters, bank statements, dividend or investment income statements (for the Non-Lucrative Visa)
- Employment contract or client contracts — for the Digital Nomad Visa
- Health insurance documents — often required for long-stay visa applications
- Medical certificates — required for some visa categories
Requirements vary by consulate, authority, office, and date. Always check the current official instructions.
Sworn Translation vs Certified Translation: What the Difference Means for UK Applicants
This is the most important thing UK applicants need to understand — and it is the most common source of rejected documents.
In the UK, a “certified translation” typically means a translation provided by a professional translator who attaches a statement confirming it is accurate. Many UK translation agencies and individual translators offer this, including members of the ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting) or CIOL (Chartered Institute of Linguists). This type of translation is widely accepted in the UK and in many countries.
Spain uses a different system. For official administrative procedures — visa applications, residency permits, notarial acts, and similar — Spain requires a traducción jurada (sworn translation). This is a translation produced by a sworn translator-interpreter officially appointed by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). The sworn translation carries the translator’s official stamp and digital signature and has a specific legal status under Spanish law.
A UK certified translation, even from a highly qualified professional, is not the same as a Spanish sworn translation. Spanish consulates and immigration offices will not accept one in place of the other.
Alba Fernández Carrasco holds MAEC Commission No. 8981 for English and Spanish.
The ACRO Police Certificate and How to Translate It
The ACRO Police Certificate is the standard background check that Spanish consulates typically require for adult visa applicants from the UK. It is issued by ACRO Criminal Records Office and shows any criminal record held on the Police National Computer.
For use in Spain, the ACRO certificate almost always needs sworn translation. Many consulates also require the document to carry an FCDO apostille before it is translated. The usual order is:
Request ACRO certificate → obtain FCDO apostille → sworn translation into Spanish
Translating before the apostille is attached means the apostille will not be covered by the translation. Requirements on whether the apostille is mandatory vary — check the specific instructions for your consulate.
FCDO Apostille and Sworn Translation
The FCDO apostille is issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office under the Hague Apostille Convention. It authenticates the document for official use abroad. Before 2021 this was known as the FCO apostille — the content and purpose are the same.
If the apostille is in English and is attached to a document being submitted to a Spanish authority, it is typically included in the sworn translation. The apostille certifies the authenticity of the underlying document, so it forms part of the official package.
Send the full scan of the document with the apostille visible — do not crop edges or separate pages.
Documents for the Non-Lucrative Visa
The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is a common route for UK citizens with pension income, passive income, or savings who want to live in Spain without working. Documents that may need sworn translation for an NLV application include:
- ACRO Police Certificate (with FCDO apostille)
- Pension award letters or pension statements
- Bank statements showing sufficient funds
- Investment income or dividend certificates
- Health insurance policy document
- Birth or marriage certificate if required
Whether financial documents need full sworn translation or a simpler certified version varies by consulate. Requirements vary by consulate, authority, office, and date. Always check the current official instructions.
Documents for the Digital Nomad Visa
The Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is available to remote workers employed by companies outside Spain or to freelancers with non-Spanish clients. Documents that commonly need sworn translation for a DNV application include:
- ACRO Police Certificate (with FCDO apostille)
- Employment contract or contracts with clients
- Proof of income (payslips, invoices, bank statements)
- Company registration documents
Requirements vary by consulate, authority, office, and date. Always check the current official instructions.
What to Send and What to Expect
You do not need to send originals. A scan or digital PDF of the full document is enough. Once you submit your documents, Alba confirms which pages need translation and provides the page count and price. You receive a digitally signed and stamped sworn translation PDF by email. Payment is after delivery.
- Standard: €37 per page
- Rush (12-hour): €55 per page when available
Alba can help with the sworn translation portion of the process. She does not provide legal or immigration advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an FCDO apostille before translating?
For many documents, yes. The usual order is: obtain the document, get the FCDO apostille, then arrange the sworn translation. This way the apostille is part of the document when it is translated. Requirements vary by consulate and document type — always check the current official instructions.
Will a UK certified translation be accepted in Spain?
No. Spain requires a sworn translation (traducción jurada) by a MAEC-appointed sworn translator. A UK certified translation from an ITI or CIOL member does not fulfil this requirement.
Can I use the same sworn translation for multiple Spanish authorities?
In practice, the same sworn translation PDF can sometimes be submitted to more than one authority. However, some offices require the translation to be recent. Check the specific instructions for each procedure.
Do you translate ACRO certificates?
Yes. The ACRO Police Certificate is one of the most common documents UK applicants need translated for Spanish visa and residency applications.
How long does the sworn translation take?
Standard turnaround is typically a few working days. A 12-hour rush option is available at €55 per page when the schedule allows. Send your documents and Alba will confirm timing.