Log in
Recognition · Austria

Translation for recognition of foreign qualifications in Austria

If you want a foreign qualification recognised or evaluated in Austria, you submit your documents to the competent body — foreign-language certificates with a certified translation. What applies in Austria is set out below with a reference to the official source.

Key facts

  • Translations are made by generally sworn and court-certified interpreters on the SDG list. [3]
  • ENIC NARIC Austria handles foreign university degrees; its evaluation is not formal recognition. [1]
  • Foreign documents cannot be super-legalised in Austria — authenticate them in the issuing country. [2]

Who may make the translation?

  • Generally sworn and court-certified interpreters (allgemein beeidete und gerichtlich zertifizierte Dolmetscher) are entered on the SDG list; the legal basis is the Federal Act on generally sworn and court-certified experts and interpreters (SDG), BGBl. I No. 137/1975. [3]
  • You can find one in the public SDG list of the Ministry of Justice on JustizOnline (search by language and court district). [4]
  • Stand-alone translations of Austrian documents that are not inseparably attached to the document itself cannot be super-legalised by the Consular Authentication Office. [2]

Recognition vs evaluation (ENIC NARIC Austria)

  • “Nostrifizierung” means the recognition of foreign certificates and diplomas. ENIC NARIC Austria is responsible for foreign university degrees; for the equivalence of foreign vocational training with Austrian apprenticeship exams, the Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism. [1]
  • ENIC NARIC Austria issues an evaluation (Bewertung) — an official classification of the foreign qualification (not formal recognition) that makes access to the labour market easier. You apply through the aais.at portal. [5]

Super-legalisation and apostille: what Austria certifies — and what it does not

  • Translations can be super-legalised (überbeglaubigt) in Austria: the Foreign Ministry (BMEIA) explicitly lists originals of Austrian public documents „einschließlich mit diesen verbundener Übersetzungen“ (including translations attached to them). [2]
  • The key word is “attached”. Not super-legalised are „Übersetzungen österreichischer Urkunden, die nicht untrennbar mit der Urkunde selbst verbunden sind“ (translations of Austrian documents not inseparably attached to the document itself) — binding the translation to the document is not a formality. [2]
  • The most important restriction for newcomers: „Ausländische Urkunden“ (foreign documents) cannot be super-legalised in Austria — „dazu zählen auch Urkunden, die von ausländischen Botschaften oder Konsulaten in Österreich errichtet wurden“ (this includes documents issued by foreign embassies or consulates in Austria). [2]
  • Nor can „in Österreich hergestellte, beglaubigte Kopien ausländischer Dokumente“ (certified copies of foreign documents made in Austria). Have your diploma certified in the country that issued it, not here. [2]
  • Purely electronic documents are also excluded: printouts that the authority „lediglich elektronisch signiert und nicht händisch unterschrieben und mit einem Amtssiegel versehen“ (only signed electronically, not by hand and with an official seal) are not super-legalised. [2]
  • Two formal conditions: the document must be intended for use abroad, and „das Zielland muss angegeben werden“ (the destination country must be stated) — decide this before your appointment. [2]

Documents

  • The exact list of documents depends on the competent body and the procedure — check it with the body or in the application portal before having anything translated. [1]

Based on the official Austrian sources listed below (as of July 2026). In each case the competent body decides — check its current requirements.

Request to sworn translators

Tell us briefly what you need. We pass the request to sworn translators registered with us — whoever takes it contacts you directly with their offer.

Send a request to translators

Are you a court-certified interpreter or translator?

Lingverra produces a precise translation in the original layout and makes your work up to 95 % easier — you check the marked spots, certify and are responsible for the translation.

See Lingverra for translators

Sources

All information above comes from official Austrian sources:

  1. oesterreich.gv.at — Nostrifizierung (Anerkennung ausl. Abschlüsse)
  2. BMEIA (Außenministerium) — Beglaubigung in Österreich, beglaubigte Übersetzungen
  3. BMJ — allgemein beeidete u. gerichtlich zert. Dolmetscher (SDG-Liste)
  4. JustizOnline — Suche gerichtlich zertifizierte Dolmetscher
  5. ENIC NARIC Austria (OeAD/AAIS) — Bewertung von Hochschulqualifikationen
Certified translation in Ireland: who translates and who certifiesTranslating a birth certificate and certificate of good conduct for GermanySworn translation for evaluating your foreign diploma in the NetherlandsCertified translation for recognition of foreign education in the Czech RepublicTranslations for Swiss authorities: certification, notary, apostilleTraducteur agréé: when and how to have a document translated in FranceSworn translation and asseverazione: how it works in ItalyGetting a foreign qualification recognised in GermanySworn translation and recognition of qualifications (homologación) in SpainSworn translator in Poland: who they are and how to check a certificationExchanging a foreign driving licence for a Polish one: when a translation is neededDoctors and nurses: translating diplomas and documents for Polish chambersCivil-status records and criminal record certificates for Polish authoritiesDocuments for Italy
This country also in: Deutsch Čeština Español

Names & transliteration (ISO 9 / passport) Certification by country