Official Document Translation & Legalisation Map
Interactive index of country-specific requirements for certified translations, sworn translations, apostilles, and consular legalization for official submissions worldwide.
Translation Standard
Sworn Translator
Certified Translation
Notarised Translation
Not mapped yet
Portugal
Notarised translation standard
Requirements Summary
Apostille required
Often required for foreign documents, depending on country of origin
Who can translate
Any competent translator, provided the signature is officially certified
Accepted languages
Portuguese
Legalization agency
Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN)
Official guidelines
Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN) – Official portalImportant: If an apostille is required, it must be obtained
before the translation is certified in Portugal.
Detailed Guidelines
Who can translate
Portugal does not operate a system of officially appointed sworn translators.
Translations may be carried out by any competent translator.
However, for the translation to be legally valid for official purposes, the translator’s signature
must be formally certified by an authorised authority.
What makes a translation official
To be recognised for official use in Portugal, the translation should include a declaration of accuracy,
and the translator’s signature must be certified by an authorised authority such as a
notary, lawyer, solicitor,
registrar (conservador), or an official
Chamber of Commerce.
Certification typically involves a formal statement confirming that the translation is accurate and complete.
Documents from abroad
Foreign documents generally need to be apostilled or legalised
in their country of origin before being translated and certified in Portugal.
Legal basis
Certification of translations in Portugal is handled through national notarial and registry procedure