A translator when buying a house
Buying a house in the Netherlands but don't speak Dutch? If you can't follow the deed, the notary must arrange a sworn translator. Here's when it's required and what it costs.
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If you don't speak Dutch well enough to follow the deed, the notary is legally required to arrange a sworn translator (at your expense) before you sign. This applies whenever the buyer or seller has no or insufficient command of Dutch, because the notary must be certain that everyone understands exactly what they're agreeing to.
Is a translator required at the notary's office when I want to buy a house?
Is a translator required at the notary's office if I want to buy a house? Often, yes. If either the buyer or the seller has insufficient command of the Dutch language, the notary will engage a sworn translator (or, for simpler cases, provide an English explanation) so that all parties understand the deeds. The notary is a neutral official, and ensuring you understand what you sign is part of that duty.
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A translator for international transactions
As with buying a house, an interpreter may also be needed for international transactions:
- If one of the parties involved in a notarial deed (for example, a purchase agreement or a lease) has a foreign nationality or lives in another country and does not understand the language of that country
- A translator may be needed to translate the contents of the deed into a language the party involved understands, including documents like the mortgage deed and transfer deed
The law regarding a translator when buying a house
According to the law, if one of the appearing parties does not sufficiently understand the Dutch language, an interpreter (who, if possible, is also a sworn translator) must also be present at the signing of the deed, who translates the substantive content of the deed. (art. 42 paragraph 1 Wna)
In addition to the notary and the parties present, the interpreter also signs the deed, declaring that he has translated everything said by the notary and the parties present.
Prior knowledge of deed contents
The notary is obliged to ensure that all parties involved in the deed are allowed to familiarize themselves with the contents of the deed before signing. (art. 42 paragraph 1 Wna)
In a draft deed, a copy will be ready by the notary for all parties (and to the relevant advisers). This offers the opportunity to comment on the contents of the deed before the actual signing takes place.
Translation necessary
If a foreign contracting party does not master the Dutch language, he will not be able to read the draft deed. To know whether he considers the contents acceptable to him, a translator is necessary to be fully and correctly informed about the contents.
Translation costs
Translating the draft deed and having a sworn interpreter-translator present at the signing involves additional costs on top of the standard notary fees. How high they are depends mainly on the length and complexity of the document, and on how easy it is to find a sworn translator for your language.
As a guide, a sworn (notarial) translation for a standard property deed typically costs around €150 to €300. Less common languages can cost more, since fewer sworn translators are available. This is in addition to the standard notary costs for the property transaction, so factor it into your budget early.
It depends on whether you can genuinely follow a legal deed. If your Dutch isn't strong enough to understand the contents, the notary must arrange a sworn translator or, in simpler cases, an English explanation before you sign.
For a standard property deed, a sworn (notarial) translation usually costs around €150 to €300. Less common languages can cost more because fewer sworn translators are available.
The translation is an additional cost paid by the party who needs it, on top of the standard notary fees for the transaction.
In simpler situations the notary may provide an English explanation. For more complex deeds, the law can require a sworn translator who signs the deed to confirm they translated everything accurately.