A certificate issued in another country may need additional formalities before it can be submitted in Spain. Apostilling, legalising and translating it are different tasks. Understanding the receiving authority’s requirements helps avoid unnecessary costs and repeated work.
Apostille and legalisation: checking authenticity
For immigration cases, the Ministry of Inclusion’s Information Sheet 61 explains how foreign public documents may be submitted. Before starting, check whether a convention, treaty or agreement exempts the document from these formalities.
- Hague apostille: where the convention applies, the competent authority in the country issuing the document provides it.
- Diplomatic legalisation: this may be the relevant route when there is no exemption and an apostille does not apply. Follow the required chain of certifications for the country of origin.
Do not order both procedures just as a precaution. First identify the issuing country, the type of document and its intended use. The required formality depends on that combination.
Sworn translation is a separate issue
An apostille does not translate a document. If an official translation is required, check which options the procedure accepts. For written documents, you can use a professional authorised to provide sworn translations in the relevant language.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides an official search tool for sworn translators and interpreters. Check the language and professional authorisation before commissioning a translation. Do not assume that machine translation or a translation by a private individual will be accepted where a sworn translation is required.
As a practical step, send the professional a legible copy of the complete document and ask whether the apostille or legalisation endorsements must also be included. Confirm the delivery format with the authority receiving your file.
Documents from another European Union country
The European regulation on certain public documents simplifies their circulation between EU countries. For documents within its scope, it removes the apostille requirement and includes measures that may reduce translation needs, such as multilingual forms.
Do not extend the exemption to every document simply because it comes from the EU. Simplifying authenticity checks also does not automatically recognise all of a document’s legal effects. Check the specific document and the purpose of the procedure.
A checklist before spending money
- Get the official requirements. Keep the procedure’s information sheet or formal request.
- Identify the document. Note the issuer, country, language and intended use.
- Check how recent it must be. Avoid ordering another copy without knowing the required issue date.
- Confirm whether an exemption applies. Ask before starting an apostille or legalisation.
- Coordinate the translation. Clarify which pages and endorsements must be included and how they should be delivered.
- Review the complete set. Check names, dates, pages and consistency between the original and translation.
Frequently asked questions
Is an apostilled document already translated?
No. An apostille and a translation serve different purposes. Check each requirement separately for your case.
Are all EU documents exempt?
No. The European framework covers certain public documents and conditions. Check its scope before relying on it.
Should I translate before or after authentication?
Before commissioning a translation, confirm the document’s required formalities and agree how any accompanying endorsements should be included. This reduces the risk of having to extend the translation later.
Prepare your file with a clear plan
If you need to understand what to check before submitting foreign documents, you can explain your circumstances to the NEXEVO team. Find more information in our guides to documents and moving to Spain.
General information. Specific requirements depend on the country, document and procedure. Official sources checked on 21 October 2026.