TRANSLATORS  INTERPRETERS  IN  BELGIUM

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1. Who can work as translator-interpreter in Belgium (conference interpreter, consecutive interpretation, whispering, liaison, negotiation etc.) and which are the required conditions?
2. Who can register to this translator-interpreter directory?
3. How to register to the translators-interpreters’ directory and to the Belgian sworn translators’ directory?
4. How much does it cost to register?
5. What payment options are accepted?
6. What is a group registration to the translator-interpreter directory?
7. Can clients contact me directly after I have registered or do your directories manage and redirect their messages?
8. When will my individual pages be posted on this site?
9. Which languages can I have my pages in?
10. Which information can I have on my individual pages?
11. How do I modify the information on my pages over the course of my being registered?
12. Who can publish advertisements on these directories?
13. How much does advertisement space cost?
14. How can I get more translation and interpreting orders?
15. How can I become a sworn translator or a sworn interpreter in Belgium?
16. What should I do if I cannot find answers to my questions here?

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1 Who can work as translator-interpreter in Belgium (conference interpreter, consecutive interpretation, whispering, liaison, negotiation etc.) and which are the required conditions?

• In Belgium, the profession of translator and translator-interpreter is neither regulated nor protected. Therefore, anyone, even without a diploma, may practise this profession in Belgium without any special permit.
• All translators and interpreters can work as free translators-interpreters in Belgium (not as sworn interpreters) even if they do not live in Belgium.
• As a translator and interpreter, you can come to Belgium for each order or wherever a specific company offers you an employment contract.
• For Belgium, you will find more information on the website of the Federal Public Service, Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue (SPF).
• Foreign workers:

http://www.employment.belgium.be/defaultTab.aspx?id=6540 - in English

http://www.emploi.belgique.be/defaultTab.aspx?id=5690 - in French

http://www.werk.belgie.be/defaultTab.aspx?id=5690# – in Dutch

• Workers employed in Belgium by an employer established in another country:

http://www.employment.belgium.be/defaultTab.aspx?id=38995 - in English

http://www.emploi.belgique.be/defaultTab.aspx?id=38995 – in French

http://www.werk.belgie.be/defaultTab.aspx?id=38995 – in Dutch

• Further information on the temporary and occasional translation services in Belgium:

https://business.belgium.be/en/managing_your_business/qualifications_professionnelles/

• The website Expatica.com- https://www.expatica.com/be

Download here «A guide to Belgium’s work permits»

• Make contact with experts in this field to check the applicable laws to your particular situation.

Caution: the laws on sworn translators, interpreters and translators-interpreters in Belgium are about to change.

Sworn translators-interpreters in Belgium have to produce evidence that they have access to a VAT number.

INVOICING:

To send an invoice to your clients as a freelance interpreter and translator there are several possibilities:

• You can send invoices with the VAT number you have access to in your country;
• To access a VAT number in Belgium, please visit the official website of the Belgian Federal Public Service for Home Affairs (in French and in Dutch only) and follow the recommended procedure according to your situation.

https://www.belgium.be/fr/economie/entreprise/creation - in French

https://www.belgium.be/nl/economie/onderneming/oprichting - in Dutch

• It is also possible to register with non-profit organisation SMart and use their VAT number. This is also possible if you wish to practise as a complementary activity or if you are a registered jobseeker in Belgium.

That way, you can test the market, your project and your abilities without paying excessively high charges. More information on their website: http://smartbe.be.

More information on Smart activities in Belgium can be found in the 7 August 2015 article published on Le Vif/Trends.be (in French only): http://trends.levif.be/economie/entreprises/comment-smart-a-cree-une-nouvelle-categorie-de-travailleurs

We are at your disposal should you request further information, based on our own experience working with Smart in Belgium. Do not hesitate to contact us via the contact page on each of our websites.

CAUTION: SMart has branches in 8 countries throughout Europe: http://smart-eu.org. Find the relevant information on the possibilities they offer in each country.

Qualifications available in Belgium:

In Belgium, you can study translation in the universities and “hautes écoles”. You will find some useful addresses here.

The Belgian Chamber of Translators, Interpreters and Philologists organises examinations for non-qualified translators.

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2 Who can register to this translator-interpreter directory?

All translators-interpreters can register to this directory even if they are not living in Belgium. It is dedicated to all translators-interpreters throughout the world, whatever type of interpretation they provide.

This directory is referenced on the international English market. That way, you will increase your chances to be found and contacted by clients from all over the world and deliver translations / interpretations in your own country.

Once registered the clients will contact you directly. You are free to decide on the price, terms and conditions for each order, as we do not act as intermediaries.

Do you have other questions about this? Contact us HERE.

Register to our website to receive orders.

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3 How to register to the translators-interpreters’ directory and to the Belgian sworn translators’ directory?

You will find the Registration Form and all necessary information on the registration page of this website.

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4 How much does it cost to register?

 50.00 €/year* (12 months from the date on which the registration takes effect), for registering as a translator interpreter only.

 70.00 €/year* (12 months from the date on which the registration takes effect), for your registration both as a free translator interpreter and a sworn translator.

*VAT 21% included

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5 What payment options are accepted?

 Payments can be made:

 by bank giro/transfer

 by PayPal 

You will find more information on the last page of the Registration Form.

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6 What is a group registration to the translator-interpreter directory?

If you work with several associates in a translation office or with family, each translator must register individually and will have his/her own pages on this website.

Such situations are considered group membership and a reduced rate applies for the listing of two (or more) translators or interpreters working together.

Contact us HERE to receive a quote adapted to your specific situation.

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7 Can clients contact me directly after I have registered or do your directories manage and redirect their messages?

They will contact you directly as we do not act as intermediaries.

You will be free to decide on the price and terms and conditions for each order.

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8 When will my individual pages be posted on this site?

Your registration will be taken into account and your individual pages will be created and put online no later than 3 working days after receiving your completed Registration Form dated and signed by you together with your payment.

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9 Which languages can I have my pages in?

So far, the websites are available in French, English and Dutch.

Registration to these websites gives you the right to have your individual pages in the other available languages free of charge.

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10 Which information can I have on my individual pages?

On top of the languages in which you provide translation / interpretation services, you can also mention:

• the contact information of your choice. In view of your privacy, you can mention the city or region only. But your detailed address will be requested for invoicing during registration;
• the languages and fields of expertise in which you provide free translations;
• your own website and logo;
• any information you consider representative for your career as a translator and interpreter.

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11 How do I modify the information on my pages over the course of my being registered?

All the changes you need during your membership are included in the price already paid. Just send an e-mail to the webmaster of these websites via the contact page and they will be made as quickly as possible.

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12 Who can publish advertisements on these directories?

• All translators and interpreters registered to these websites can have their individual advertisement.
• Individuals and companies that provide complementary services to these professions can also insert ads on these sites. For instance, these include the following services:

 legalisation services by Belgian authorities and visa services,

 fast expedition of various documents,

 renting / selling audio-visual equipment and simultaneous interpretation equipment,

 language courses etc.

Contact us HERE to receive an estimate adapted to your specific situation.

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13 How much does advertisement space cost?

Details on advertising rates are available HERE and on the last page of the registration form.

Contact us HERE to receive an estimate adapted to your specific situation.

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14 How can I get more translation and interpreting orders?

As a start, you can register to websites dedicated to translators, interpreters and sworn translators: www.belgian-translator-interpreter.be, www.traducteur-interprete-belge.be, www.belgische-vertaler-tolk.be, www.belgian-sworn-translator.be, www.traducteur-jure-belge.be and www.belgische-beedigde-vertaler.be.

That way, you will be better referenced on the internet and increase your chances of receiving orders.

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15 How can I become a sworn translator or a sworn interpreter in Belgium?

The laws on sworn translators, interpreters and translators-interpreters in Belgium are about to change.

For more information on the legal procedure, please contact the Court of first instance administrative services nearest to you.

To find the list including the addresses and telephone numbers of a Court of First Instance in Belgium, please go to this website (only in Dutch and in French):

http://www.juridat.be/cgi_adres/adrn.pl - in Dutch

http://www.juridat.be/cgi_adres/adrf.pl - in French

1. Choose the province or town (commune);

2. In the “Service” section, select “tribunal de première instance“ (Court of First Instance);

3. In the right hand side “trier sur” section, select “service” or “commune” (town);

4. Click on “Liste”.

Sworn translators-interpreters in Belgium have to produce evidence that they have access to a VAT number.

Qualifications available in Belgium:

In Belgium, you can study translation in the universities and “hautes écoles”. You will find some useful addresses here.

The Belgian Chamber of Translators, Interpreters and Philologists organises examinations for non-qualified translators.

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16 What should I do if I cannot find answers to my questions here?

In that case, feel free to ask your questions via the contact page of this website. We guarantee a fast answer.

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